How can I check why the enclosed iBasis eSIM does not connect to LTE network (in Germany)?

[E3V3A]

I have an nRF9160 DK which came with an enclosed eSIM from iBasis, that is supposed to work in most of Europe.

However, after jumping through all the getting started hoops and all sorts of alternative setups and registrations, my DK does not connect to any network. I.e. LED-3 is constantly blinking and LED-4 never came on. I have looked at the FAQ's of iBasis and there is no useful info there and nothing about the "partial coverage" in Germany, claimed in their coverage maps.

(a) Are there any AT commands I can use to check if at least the RF is seeing any networks at all? (Does the antenna work?)

(b) How does the device know what APN, username, password to use for the LTE network registration, if it was never provided/set?

(c) What are the German MNO's supported by this iBasis eSIM?

(d) What other SIMs can I use?

[Martin Lesund]

Hi E3V3A,
a) You can turn ON the modem by AT+CFUN=1 and then use the AT+CESQ to acquire the current signal quality.

b) The modem detects which type of SIM card is connected to the socket and takes the required actions in the modem.

If there is an eSIM (like iBasis) it will search on the network for the providers in that area and chose the one which has a roaming deal with iBasis. The parameters you mention are saved in the modem side but can be changed if it's necessary (by AT-Commands).

c) I would recommend trying your Regional Sales Manager for confirmation. (please send me a personal message in the Devzone chat and I will provide it).

I would assume that iBasis may support the only LTE-M carrier in Germany according to this.

But then again iBasis only provides limited coverage in Germany.

d) I would highly recommend getting a local SIM from either the LTE-M carrier or one of the NB-IoT carriers in Germany.

Best regards,

Martin L.

[E3V3A]

Hi Martin,

(a) Of course that is the first thing I tried, although there is no point in trying to get a signal quality if there is no connection.

(b) - 1. What are the "required actions"?

      - 2. Since the modem has been flashed multiple times, there are no stored parameters... So what should they be?

     - 3. I feel you guys are dodging the question, and I have no idea why?  Again, what are the APN, and the username,password (if any), supposed to be for the enclosed iBasis eSIM?

From other sources, it seem to be:

For iBasis eSIM:

APN: ibasis.iot
U:   <none?>
P:   <none?>

For Deutsche Telekom:

APN: internet.telekom
U:   t-mobile
P:   tm
auth: PAP

(c) It's a simple question, so I don't see why I need to contact anyone, when simple 1-3 word answer would suffice.

(d) Ok, I will test with a T-mobile (Deutsche Telekom), which should support NB-IoT. It would have been more helpful to see all the AT commands used to setup the connection...

[Martin Lesund]

Hi E3V3A,

a) Before you turn on the modem:

Send the command:

AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0  (to switch to NB-IoT network)

AT%XEPCO=0 (To use legacy PCO, since not all networks support ePCO)

Then turn on the Modem AT+CFUN=1

at_client.hex

b) Modem has it's own flash with several networks information saved, so it will take automatically the correct actions based on which SIM card is connected.

The iBasis SIM has the APN: ibasis.iot and no username/password. It will connect to the networks which it has roaming agreements with.

c) That means in your case that it would connect to Telefonica if you have coverage in your area for that, but I would highly recommend testing local SIM.

d) see a)

[E3V3A]

Hi Martin,

a) Yes, it was the first thing I tired. No success.

b)  > Modem has it's own flash with several networks information saved

I don't think that is correct because I flashed both modem and the board controller, so I doubt there is anything left there related to iBasis, if there ever was any. Either way there should be some at commands available to check what is available, like in standard at command set, but it seem that these have not been implemented or documented clearly. How can I check if there is anything?  Regarding APN, yes, that is what I have been using. But I also know that for some other manufacterers, some buggy modem FW's doesn't like 2 double quotes for empty username/passwords, but just want the "set" command fields empty.  Maybe if you release the modem firmware, I can have a look around somewhere?

c) Yes, Telefonica is called O2 here, so there should be some coverage. How can I check for operator coverage/availability from device, when its not connected? (Usually one can scan with COPS, COPN or %XOPNAME=1. But those didn't really return anything. It may be more helpful to see the cell list or neighbor cells.)

d) The same goes for my Deutsche Telekom LTE SIM card. Nothing, even though there is coverage. So perhaps they have blocked NB-IoT/M1 access when using normal phone SIM cards?