Band 8 LTE-M Netherlands

[Sergy]

Hello,

It seems that T-Mobile LTE-M works on Band 8 in the Netherlands. However standard LTE modem FW doesnt support this band. Is there any reason for it?

I see on certification band its certified for CE in Europe on Band 8.Is there any way to enable it without recompiling standard FW?

Thanks!

[Øyvind]

Hello, 

I'm not sure I follow. According to both modem FW release notes and our Product Specifications (under electrical specs) the nRF9160 supports Band 8:

*** mfw_nrf9160_1.2.0
*********************

The mfw_nrf9160 is the firmware for the modem subsystem of nRF9160. It supports 3GPP LTE
release 13 Cat-M1 and Cat-NB1 standards, and GPS L1C/A positioning.

Cat-M1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26,
28 and 66.

Cat-NB1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26,
28 and 66.

This release is aligned with v1.2 of nRF91 AT command reference guide.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

Please elaborate. 

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Sergy]

Hello Øyvind,

Indeed im confused myself, because when I start LTE Modem app it shows Bands: 3-4,13, 20. So seems like Band 8 is turned off?

Please see screenshot attached.

[Øyvind]

From your screenshot I can see that you are connected to KPN Mobile. Are you using iBasis SIM? Looks like KPN may not support Band 8?

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Sergy]

We actually use a different SIM that supports KPN and should support T-Mobile, but T-Mobile uses Band 8 in the Netherlands and we cant even find the network when using AT+COPS?

It shows KPN and Vodafone. At the same time when I use the sim in my mobile phone there is 4G network available from T-Mobile, thats why Im thinking nrf9160 somehow blocks the frequency?

[Øyvind]

The nRF9160 does not block anything, it uses what is available. Does your device have a band lock activated? What do you get if you issue "AT%XBANDLOCK?" ?

[Sergy]

Looks like its not:

AT%XBANDLOCK?

%XBANDLOCK: "",""

OK

But then the question why in Bands on the upper right side it only shows 3,4,13,20?

[Øyvind]

That is what KPN is using. Are you sure that the SIM supports T-Moble LTE-M?