Which GSM boards can be used to send SMS in the US?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

Experts,

I need to connect the cheap Chinese GSM boards with the carriers we use in the US. I want to be able to send text messages from a remote sensor, but the subtle choices from what is available seem to mean all the difference between working & thrown away money.

I see here a list of carrier frequencies, but they are all over the place. Has anyone in the US been able to reliably select a card/module/kit that will work with their carrier? Will anything do?

Thanks!

2

holesflow:
Experts,

I need to connect the cheap Chinese GSM boards with the carriers we use in the US. I want to be able to send text messages from a remote sensor, but the subtle choices from what is available seem to mean all the difference between working & thrown away money.

I see here a list of carrier frequencies, but they are all over the place. Has anyone in the US been able to reliably select a card/module/kit that will work with their carrier? Will anything do?

Thanks!

Well, which one are you paying for service?

Paul

3

Paul_KD7HB:
Well, which one are you paying for service?

Paul

Thanks for writing, Paul.

GSM is new territory for this old goat (for projects). I use T-mobile, but don't know if i can have SIM card use the same acct as one of my cell phones.

If i needed another, dedicated line, is go for the cheapest possible, especially since no voice calls.

But, if there are cards significantly cheaper for one network (band/format) over another... I know that along with bands (800, 850, 1600, 1850, ...) there are also protocols (CDMA, ...), which makes picking a card for a sensor seem daunting.

There seems to be more variables to me than there probably really are... :slight_smile:

Thanks for any sage advice...

4

No advice from me. Never used GSM or other than the usual cell phone stuff. I responded only because it seemed such a strange question to ask.

Paul

5

The cheaper GSM boards/modules are 2G.

AT&T no longer has 2G.
T-mobile reportedly has 2G but they don't here where I live. They wanted force me to upgrade to a 4G-capable phone. If I am going to have to buy a new phone, I am switching to Verizon.

I haven't seen 2G CDMA boards/modules.

You'll have to search and it won't be cheap.

.