quick question for someone who knows cellular network compatibility.
I have a SIM800L module that I'm trying to get connected to my cellular network and it won't connect ( I took my current cell phone SIM card out and plugged it into the SIM module)
The deet's on the SIM are:
Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Connect onto any global GSM network with any 2G SIM (in the USA, T- Mobile is suggested)
Make and receive voice calls using a headset or an external 8 speaker and electret microphone
Send and receive SMS messages
My carrier's info is:
Mobile services provided by Koodo use Telus Mobility's HSPA+ and LTE networks.
CDMA devices, however, have been discontinued January 31, 2017.
Koodo Mobile's HSPA networks uses the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies, their LTE network uses 1700/2100 MHz (AWS), and their LTE-a network uses 2600 MHz and 700 MHz.
Runs on GSM network.
I only get the 1 second blink on the module and don't quite fully understand why..
"The module is running but hasn’t made connection to the cellular network yet."
Anyone have any ideas ? Is the module compatible with the above specs ?
I know nothing about cellular network protocols.
thanks
Rob
the only anomaly is ,, my SIM card is a micro and the SIM module uses a micro. So I bought an adapter (micro to mini) and inserted into the slot.
Maybe the pins aren't contacting/lining up properly utilizing the adapter ???
I don't know what generates the message, it may be just the Arduino programme and is actually misleading. I suspect the only detail that counts is
RobG3987:
Connect onto any global GSM network with any 2G SIM (in the USA, T- Mobile is suggested)
A 2G SIM connects to a 2G network. So what you need to know is
- Is my SIM good for 2G?
- Does my network provide 2G?
There is no 2G around here and there may be none where you are.
The SIM is network-sensitive - as is the hardware.
thanks for the tip Nick. I'll dig into that further.
I assumed that the provider would still support 2G devices for backward compatibility,,, but that might be my fatal flaw.
you were spot on Rick,, my provider (Telus) doesn't support GSM/2G.
Anyone know of alternative gsm modules that work on 3G and LTE and are affordable?
I found the SIM7100 as an upgrade but its quite pricey, any alternatives that work ??
The only 3G shields I am aware of cost more than a proper phone. I have no idea how to do this, but it might be possible to solve the problem at the phone end whereby you you send the phone a text, and it passes that to Arduino via WiFi.
I use the SIM5320 in a lot of projects.
Just make sure to choose the correct version for your carrier/bands
SIM5320-A
SIM5320-E
thanks LastC,, looks like the 5360A is compatible with my network,,, at least until they drop 3G in favour of LTE,+ and 5G. But hopefully that won't be anytime soon!
Depending on what you’re using the modems for, the voice/SMS layer is the same across 3G/4G (not sure about 5G)...
It is the data layer that jumps forward between these technologies... otherwise modems on the correct bands should operate as expected for voice/SMS modes.
The 5360 is a good choice- there are newer models if you’re looking for 4G data.
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just looking for text/SMS to send/receive commands and status back, so hopefully 3G should be around long enough by my provider. Quite the price jump though to the 4G modules. Any recommendations where you prefer to buy yours ?
Stick with the 5320 for SMS* - for the foreseeable future.
I buy ten at a time from https://www.tinyosshop.com/
Say hi to Tim - from Australia!
(* the AT+CMGSEX command is great when composing long messages.)
I have to use the 5360 as it supports Dual-Band UMTS/HSPA+ 850/1900MHz, which is what my provider offers. The 5320 is the wrong band for me Dual-Band UMTS/HSDPA 900/2100MHz.
Yes,, I will check them out !
TYVM !!!
Rob
RobG3987:
my provider (Telus) doesn't support GSM/2G.
I use Petrocan pay-as-you-go SIMs. Petrocan runs on the Rogers network which has GSM. 7/11 Speakout is another option. Both of these are cheap options to try out. You can walk into a Petrocan station and get a SIM and a $10 top-up for $15 and be on the network 20 minutes later.
oh nice solution for us Canucks!
And the good news is there is still a little longevity left in it:
May 4, 2018 - In a bulletin to customers Rogers has advised that it will extend the availability of its GSM/GPRS network to December 31st, 2020 and no further ...
thank you gardner !!
got the card and all that finally worked itself out. Tried the card in an old phone (set to GSM only). Send receive texts ok,, put it into the module,,, nada.. I think my module is nakered 0 on signal strength,
AT+CBC
+CBC: 0,100,4219, so voltage is all good
AT+CCID
ERROR
AT+CREG?
+CREG: 0,3
AT+CSMINS?
+CSMINS: 0,0
And it isn't detecting the SIM card when its inserted,,,