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[on:]

I like to collect some data form sensors and sent them several times per day to a web server or web service. But now I hesitate by the choice of a proper GSM / Cellular shield. I fond:

IComSat
http://imall.iteadstudio.com/im120417009.html

a piece form Seeed
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/gprs-shield-p-779.html?pages=2&cPath=132_134&r_q=q

Cellular Shield form SparkFun
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9607

What I not found was a selling partner for the shield listed in the labs section here at arduino.cc
http://labs.arduino.cc/GPRS/Index

Are these complete different boards? Is there a common GSM/GPRS library to use or provide the different manufacturers "proprietary" librarys?

What shield can you now (08-2012) recommend?

[Reply #1 on:]

This seems also interesting: "GBoard" - An Arduino combined with a GSM shield at one PCB: http://imall.iteadstudio.com/development-platform/arduino/arduino-compatible-mainboard/im120411004.html

[Reply #2 on:]

Next time a new GSM/GPRS-Modul will be available direct from Arduino. It's a cooperation with Telefonica. Pre-series samples of the board were presented on the "Campus Party Berlin" in August 2012. Unfortunately the Bluevia / Telefonica site reports only "coming soon" for "buy shield & sim" https://bluevia.com/en/page/tech.arduino and there is no exact date when the shield will be available.

Is the library and other stuff compele new or is the shield compatible to other libraries? Seems that nearly every shield has its own library. :-/

See also:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/arduino-gsm-gprs-shield-gets-helping-hand-from-telefonica/ and
http://www.heise.de/hardware-hacks/meldung/Campus-Party-Arduino-stellt-GSM-GPRS-Modul-vor-1674914.html

[Reply #3 on:]

I've been using the one from ITead studio for a project of mine.

It is fairly cheap, and works well, just make sure you use it with an Uno, and also make sure you have the right library.

[Reply #4 on:]

There are also two shields from libelium

GPRS/GSM Quadband Module for Arduino (SIM900)
http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/shop/arduino/shields/gprs-quadband-module-sim900-for-arduino.html

and a relatively expensive but G3 module

3G/GPRS shield for Arduino (3G + GPS)
http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/shop/arduino/shields/3g-gprs-shield-for-arduino-3g-gps.html

Also a shield from an other vendor:

GSM-GPS Playground Shield for Arduino
http://www.hwkitchen.com/products/gsm-gps-playground-shield-for-arduino/

[Reply #5 on:]

This seems also interesting: "GBoard" - An Arduino combined with a GSM shield at one PCB: http://imall.iteadstudio.com/development-platform/arduino/arduino-compatible-mainboard/im120411004.html

This is really neat.  Where does the SIM card go? 

[Reply #6 on:]

Have a look at the second picture! It becomes a "belly-SIM"!

Btw. the Bluevia / Telefonica shield mentioned in reply #2 in this thread will be "available in the following days." -- This was a information from the BlueVia Community Support.

[Reply #7 on:]

FWIW, I have had very good luck with the Seeedstudio version. Geekonfire also has a model.

Whatever module you want to consider, research the underlying chip and libraries! For the sim900 there are a number of libraries and examples out there that you can follow along. The AT manual also gives you the commands you'll need to use in order to start a GPRS connection, send an SMS, etc

Also, depending on where you live, it might make sense to use a M2M Sim card, ie one designed specifically for applications like this one.  I had good luck with the unit from embedded works.

[Reply #8 on:]

@Weller

This seems also interesting: "GBoard" - An Arduino combined with a GSM shield at one PCB: http://imall.iteadstudio.com/development-platform/arduino/arduino-compatible-mainboard/im120411004.html

This is really neat.  Where does the SIM card go? 

Hi , see below picture that shows where the SIM card goes:

 
Regards,
Wendy

[Reply #9 on:]

I asked BlueVia / Telefonica about the deliver date of the new Telefonica-Arduino-GSM shield again. Announcement / purchase see:
https://bluevia.com/en/page/tech.arduino

The really friendly support told me they had some problems with the launch and the release date got delayed. If everything goes as expected, the new release day is the 22nd October. I assume 2012, the year was not specified explicit. :-) 

[Reply #10 on:]

Again one month is gone and still no shield available neither by bluevia nor by an other distributor. :-/ Will this shield also be available in the official Arduino store http://store.arduino.cc (without SIM)?

[Reply #11 on:]

Will this shield also be available in the official Arduino store

Seems unlikely, since the shield is not made by the Arduino people.

[Reply #12 on:]

Seems unlikely, since the shield is not made by the Arduino people.

At http://labs.arduino.cc/GPRS/Index David Cuartielles and Gianluca Martino are mentioned as key people in the GPRS shield development and they are also labeled as "co-founders of the Arduino project" - so I thought the hard- and softwarepart would be covered by Arduino people. But perhaps this is an old level of information. ;-)

[Reply #13 on:]

Any updates to this?

I'm still unsure which shield to choose... So many different brands, different prices, etc. Which selection would be a safe solution?

[Reply #14 on:]

Now - 23rd Dec - the "coming soon" bage on the bluevia website is gone and the buy button is linked to the Arduino store. But there is no product page, no price, no order info for the GSM shield. Has anybody from the Arduino team further information what's going on in this case?