Cellular LTE-M / NB-IoT modem - in Ireland

XBee & XBee Gateway XBee - Cellular
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1

Hi I am trying to use the XB3-C-A2-UT-001 cellular - which supports LTE-M and NB-IoT networks - in Ireland.

I am using a SIM card from Vodafone Ireland. I chose this SIM card because AFAIK are the only operator in Ireland which provide access to an NB-IoT network [1].

I have followed the instructions in the DIGI documentation [2] to configure the modem - using XCTU. However the modem is not connecting.

I have entered the correct APN - and tried both NB-IoT and LTE-M network modes.
The AI indicator never changes from either 0x25 (Registration Denied) or 0x22 (Connecting) - even after waiting > 10 minutes.

I am using the XCTU configuration manager to configure the modem. It has firmware version 11416 installed.

Some times a signal level is retrieved - at other times it remains at a default value of 69.

The SIM PIN is entered correctly - that is not the issue.

The modem does not read the phone number correctly - perhaps because the number was not assigned or activated until after I received the SIM card. Could this potentially be causing a problem?

I have contacted Vodafone Ireland but unfortunately they have not yet been able t o answer conclusively if they actually support the NB-IoT or LTE-M networks - which is very disappointiong.

Is there any way I can do a conclusive test using the modem to determine if this will work?

[1] https://www.mavoco.com/commercial-iot-networks-worldwide/
[2] https://www.digi.com/resources/documentation/Digidocs/90002258/#tasks/t_select_carrier_lte-m_nbiot.htm?TocPath=Get%2520started%2520with%2520the%2520XBee%25203%2520Cellular%2520LTE-M%252FNB-IoT%257C_____6

2

Hi dsic,

This statement is very ambiguous,

“I have contacted Vodafone Ireland but unfortunately they have not yet been able t o answer conclusively if they actually support the NB-IoT or LTE-M networks - which is very disappointiong.”

You will need to confirm this with Vodafone as well as their coverage area and frequency band/s.

Once you have confirmed this, you can ask them to raise a support ticket for your problem where they will then be able to tell you if they can see your device trying to connect to the network.

Best luck.

3

dslc,

Are you using a regular sim card that we use in mobile phones? I’m asking because NB-IoT sim cards are differnt
and are separately made available by service provider if they supports NB-IoT network.

These sim cards looks identical to regular ones but are programmed differently.

4

Hi Mathur. Thanks for your response.

I am embarrassed to say: I am not 100% sure what kind of SIM card Vodafone have sent me.

I specifically requested a data SIM card which supports NB-IoT. I don’t think the Vodafone representative understood me to be honest.

I might try contacting them again. But I am not optimistic they will be able to give a definitive answer.

5

Thanks for the feedback Craig. I have not had an opportunity to do so yet, but plan to contact Vodafone again as soon as time permits.