Arduino GSM not working - Should I use SIM800L or look for alternate options?

Official Hardware Retired GSM Shield
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Hi,

I am new to GSM and GPRS. Have self thought myself on how GSM modules work and to get practical exposure I purchase the SIM800L module. The main reason for choosing this module was that it felt beginner-friendly and I was following this Arduino GSM tutorial

My knowledge on SIM800L module comes from this page only. I faced a lot of problems before I can get this working but now it is working with high unpredictability. I am mainly using this making calls automatically and play a message, infrure i will interface this with ISD voice module.
But now every 10 calls I make 2 gets failed to connect.

I tried debugging it using print statements and it says network not found when it stops working and if I restart it gets back to action but then after a while same problem. I tried using a better power source, changed the antenna but nothing works.

My further reading suggests me that SIM800L is no longer a dependable module and that I should select something that is more reliable. Is this true? I am still seeing a lot of people using this.
If I need to select something better which modem should I use?

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Joseph,
If I were you, my first test (with the 800L sim card) would would be in a simple mobile phone, checking your signal level with the handset. Then go back to the 800L and read the signal level on it. Your 800L could have a weak/marginal RF front end possibly. If you have another 800L or 900 module test with that for comparison.
Also, check for
delays in your AT command steps, just a thought.

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I have no experience with SIM modules. Your problem might be the module but it also might be your code.

Be aware that the SIM800L is a 2G device and there will be a time in the not-to-far future where 2G will no longer exist. Locally the phasing out will start in approx. a year time and will (or has to) be completed at the end of 2027. For that reason if I ever have to start using a SIM module I will choose something that supports 4G / 5G.

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