# Cellular LTE-M / NB-IoT modem - in Ireland **URL:** \ **Category:** XBee - Cellular\ **Tags:** 4g, nb-iot\ **Created:** [May 3, 2021, 8:20am UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380 "2021-05-03T08:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dslc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dslc](https://forums.digi.com/u/dslc)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 8:20am UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380/1 "2021-05-03T08:20:25Z")
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/](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](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) ---
**Author:** ![Craigus861](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5a626/32.png) [@Craigus861](https://forums.digi.com/u/Craigus861)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380/2 "2021-05-11T12:00:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![mathur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mathur](https://forums.digi.com/u/mathur)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 3:57am UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380/3 "2021-05-10T03:57:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![dslc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dslc](https://forums.digi.com/u/dslc)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380/4 "2021-05-11T11:58:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![dslc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dslc](https://forums.digi.com/u/dslc)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 10:43am UTC](https://forums.digi.com/t/cellular-lte-m-nb-iot-modem-in-ireland/22380/5 "2021-05-13T10:43:28Z")
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.