nRF9160-DK unable to connect to LTE-M network in Tokyo

[calexr]

I followed the tutorial here:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/tutorials/b/getting-started/posts/getting-started-with-nrf9160-dk?CommentId=98ebb127-8333-4fca-8409-53845d1e1401

in getting my nRF9160-DK setup, no problem. I was unable to connect to the nRF Cloud so I installed the AT Client to debug as many others have on this forum. I have tried multiple locations outdoors and have been unable to see any towers. The iBasis eSim should work and there should be LTE-M coverage. I am in central Tokyo.

Here is the output from AT Client:

***** Booting Zephyr OS v1.13.99-ncs2 *****

Secure Boot: configure flash

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 0 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 1 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 2 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 3 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 4 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 5 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 6 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set region 7 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 8 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 9 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 10 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 11 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 12 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 13 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 14 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 15 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 16 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 17 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 18 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 19 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 20 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 21 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 22 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 23 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 24 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 25 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 26 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 27 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 28 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 29 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 30 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set Flash region 31 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: configure SRAM

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 0 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 1 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 2 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 3 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 4 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 5 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 6 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 7 as Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 8 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 9 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 10 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 11 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 12 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 13 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 14 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 15 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 16 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 17 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 18 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 19 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 20 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 21 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 22 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 23 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 24 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 25 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 26 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 27 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 28 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 29 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 30 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: SPU: set SRAM region 31 as Non-Secure

Secure Boot: configure peripherals

Secure Boot: MSP_NS 200265f0

Secure Boot: prepare to jump to Non-Secure image

***** Booting Zephyr OS v1.13.99-ncs2 *****

The AT host sample started

AT+CFUN?

+CFUN: 4

OK

AT+CFUN=1

OK

AT+CFUN?

+CFUN: 1

OK

AT+CGSN=1

+CGSN: "352656100038853"

OK

AT+CGMI

Nordic Semiconductor ASA

OK

AT+CGMM

nRF9120

OK

AT+CGMR

mfw-m1_nrf9160_0.6.6-46.prealpha

OK

AT+CEMODE?

+CEMODE: 2

OK

AT%XCBAND=?

%XCBAND: (3,4,13,20)

OK

AT+CMEE?

+CMEE: 0

OK

AT+CMEE=1

OK

AT+CNEC?

+CNEC: 0

OK

AT+CNEC=24

OK

AT+CGEREP?

+CGEREP: 0,0

OK

AT+CGDCONT?

OK

AT+CGACT?

OK

AT+CGEREP=1

OK

AT+CIND=1,1,1

OK

AT+CEREG=2

OK

AT+CEREG?

+CEREG: 2,4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7

OK

AT%CESQ=1

OK

AT+CESQ

+CESQ: 99,99,255,255,255,255

OK

AT%XSIM=1

OK

AT%XSIM?

%XSIM: 1

OK

AT+CPIN?

+CPIN: READY

OK

AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"

+CPINR: "SIM PIN",3

OK

AT+CIMI

204080813512661

OK

+CEREG: 2,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7

AT+COPS=?

+COPS: 

OK

AT+COPS?

+COPS: 2

OK

What should I try next? Thank you!

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

mfw-m1_nrf9160_0.6.6-46.prealpha

 There is an update available for the modem, which you can find on this page: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-Tools/Development-Kits/nRF9160-DK/Download#infotabs

The modem dfu tool can be installed via python pip:

pip install nrf9160_mdm_dfu-0.10.0+dev-py3-none-any.whl

 

Then run the modem update function in the folder you have the new modem firmware:

cd path\to\modem\firmware && nrf9160_mdm_dfu --update

 

Could you check if the connection issues still remain after the modem update?

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[calexr]

Thanks for the response.

I updated the firmware and regretfully no improvement.

[calexr]

I happened to have a business trip to Thailand and so tested the device there. I can confirm the device and sim work properly. So, this confirms my thought that the problem is with certification. I have contacted the sales rep here but haven't received a response yet. 

[calexr]

Hi Yusuke,

I was able to get in touch with a Nordic representative in Japan. We should be able to connect to the LTE network by summer if not a bit earlier. I will post here again once I have tested and verified.

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi calexr,

 

That is great news! Thanks for keeping this thread updated and helping others find this information!

Cheers,

Håkon

[calexr]

Good news! The nRF9160 is now able to connect in Japan (tested in Tokyo).  If you have a board purchased before March / April you will need to update modem firmware which you can find here:

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-Tools/Development-Kits/nRF9160-DK/Download#infotabs

I tested on 0.7.0-15.alpha. You can see that more bands have been activated (likely due to certification). Happy hacking! 

[Yusuke]

Thanks a lot for giving this info!