Where to buy an NB-IoT SIM card in the UK

[Smythey]

I am trying to buy an NB-IoT SIM card in the UK as the LTE-M SIM included with my Thingy:91 does not work here. I know that Vodafone supposedly run the NB-IoT network here but I am not sure what to buy and where to buy it.I spoke to Vodafone helpdesk today but they didn't know what I was talking about.

Has anybody in the London area of the UK managed to connect a Thingy:91? If so, I'd appreciate the details.

[LordLucan]

Hi, I'm interested in this discussion too. I recently got an nrf9160-dk to try out this new lower power IOT technology. Only to be severely dissapointed :). I'm still persevering with the iBasis card. I'm near Croydon (CR5) in the UK.

I managed to flash the latest modem firmware (a mission in itself) and then have tried switching the modem between M1 and NB1 modes using XSYSTEMMODE. I get no signal on M1 but do on MB1. In MB1 (NB-IOT?) I'm seeing CESQ returning good numbers. But  still no network connection. So my guess here is that the SIM is not playing ball with whoever is providing the NB-IOT signal. Maybe it just needs a magic AT command to register on the network 

I've also tried flashing the tracker app in NB-IoT mode. I can see NB-IoT being selected in the AT command on reset. Network mode: AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0

This is the stauts I get from the tracking app . I think status code 4 is "unknown" (out of coverage?) "+CEREG: 4,"33EC","00038C15",9,0,13,"11100000","11100000"

I have to say this all seems a lot harder than it should be.

Paul

[ovrebekk]

Hi Paul

Can you please open a new ticket on this issue?

Then we can keep that discussion in one place, and the ticket will be assigned to someone more up to speed on the latest nRF91 developments ;)

Best regards
Torbjørn

[LordLucan]

Torbjørn,

Thanks for the reply, done this already.

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/60510/uk-nb-iot-sim-card

Regards,

Paul

[Cazpian]

This appears to be the most suitable thread to post this query, especially considering that one of your team members has posted a recommendation of getting hold of a Vodafone Sim card. Would you please advise how one goes about getting hold of a Vodafone Sim without the monthly development fees and declaration of ip's ? Has nordic semiconductor used its influence to broker an agreement with Vodafone such that British developers can actually utilise your IoT development kits ... this titbit of information appears to be missing from any of your marketing of IoT products. 

[csteed]

Hi Paul,

I believe where you are you will have NB-IoT coverage with Vodafone - so you need to change the application code on the Thingy:91 to the NB-IoT asset tracker example and get a SIM card from Arkessa. To do this:

Please contact ARKESSA (https://www.arkessa.com/contact/) and put "nRF91" in the subject section of the contact page. These guys are doing 5 trial SIMs for 50 Euro, 25Meg of data/month/SIM which will last for 3 months. The Arkessa SIM will connect to the Vodafone NB-IoT network, with no other fees and no whitelisting of IP addresses.

If you have further questions on this please let me know.

BR,

Claire

[Cazpian]

Thanks for the information Claire!

[Smythey]

I can confirm that the Arkessa/Vodafone SIMs do work in South East London.