nRF9160 can't connect, yet transport connected?

[maclobdell]

I'm testing out an nRF9160 that I purchased several months ago.  Sticker on back says PCA10090 0.8.2 2018.49.  Testing the out-of-box asset tracker application that shipped with it.  

In nrfcloud activated my pin and associated my device.  The board is powered up.  LED 3 is blinking.  Earlier today for a brief period LED 3 and 4 were both blinking.  I'm in Austin, Texas.  I've tested it in a few locations that normally get good cell coverage (tmobile, at&t, ...).  

nrf cloud says that the device is disconnected.

However, if I open a serial terminal, it says that transport is connected and user is associated. 

***** Booting Zephyr OS kitprod_w49 *****
Application started
LTE LC config ...
[00:00:01.066,741] <err> net_if.net_if_init: There is no network interface to work with!
NRF_CLOUD_EVT_TRANSPORT_CONNECTED
NRF_CLOUD_EVT_USER_ASSOCIATED

but it does show an error that there is no network interface!  that seems odd.  

Can someone explain these conflicting error messages? 

If I flash the board with the latest out-of-box application, will these problems go away?  

Thanks!

[Martin Lesund]

Hi Maclobdell,
Since you are running the "out-of-the-box" firmware I would assume that you have not updated the modem firmware.

I would highly recommend that you download the newest modem firmware (v1.0.1): https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT/nRF9160/Download#infotabs

(Here is how you update the modem firmware)

And also upgrade the Application FW to a newer version. You can use this one which is built from the master branch:  asset_tracker.hex

You can either use the Programmer app in nrf Connect for desktop or the command line to flash the Application FW.

Just remember to erase all before you flash the application with the Programmer app.

If you want flash via the command line you can type: 

nrfjprog -e && nrfjprog --program asset_tracker.hex -f nrf91 --sectorerase -r --verify

You should see a great improvement when you have upgraded.

Best regards,

Martin L.