NRF9160 India SIM card for SMS and IOT connectivity

[Eas38]

Dear All,

I have chosen NRF9160 device for two requirements - SMS transmit or receive and LTE IOT connectivity [Both are different project requirements].

After going through link - https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT/nRF9160-Certifications#infotabs I saw support in India and selected the device.

Requirements 1 - SMS text transmit or receive 

                       1. I planned to use existing SIM carrier (Airtel, Vodaphone, JIO, BSNL, etc) in India (which regularly work in our smartphones), will NRF9160 support this configuration. Please clarify.

                       2. Will NRF9160 support 2G, 3G and 4G SIM cards for SMS application?

Requirements 2 - LTE IOT support either NB-IOT or LTE-M in INDIA

                     1. I read all the post in Devzone.nordicsemi.com related to "NRF9160 not working in INDIA network" and posts are 2 years old and during that time no IOT sim providers in INIDA. correct me if wrong. Now if there are any latest update on IOT SIM card service providers in INDIA, kindly let me know. So that I can approach them and have further discussion.  

Kindly reply back ASAP.

Regards,

Eashwar

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

1. I planned to use existing SIM carrier (Airtel, Vodaphone, JIO, BSNL, etc) in India (which regularly work in our smartphones), will NRF9160 support this configuration. Please clarify.

Users on this forum are reporting that there is coverage in certain parts of india, with NB1, but I would recommend that you contact your carriers to get the latest information on their LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage, and if they support SMS using these LTE modes.

 

2. Will NRF9160 support 2G, 3G and 4G SIM cards for SMS application?

We support Class C SIM cards (1.8V capable), as described in our product specification:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf9160/ip/radio_lte/doc/simif_lte_m/frontpage.html?cp=2_0_0_6_1

 

Kind regards,

Håkon 

[Eas38]

Dear Hakon Alseth,

Thank you for your reply. 

1. As you have replied for Point 1, I will check with my local carrier and get the IOT SIM details and support.

2. As you have replied for Point 2, for SMS or any other application only Class C SIM card will work with NRF9160. For example, SIM card in phone is 4G capable and can send or receive SMS also from my phone. If the SIM is Class C and connect to NRF9160, it should be able to send or receive SMS from NRF9160. Kindly confirm my understanding.

Regards,

Eashwar

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi Eashwar,

 

Eas38 said:

2. As you have replied for Point 2, for SMS or any other application only Class C SIM card will work with NRF9160. For example, SIM card in phone is 4G capable and can send or receive SMS also from my phone. If the SIM is Class C and connect to NRF9160, it should be able to send or receive SMS from NRF9160. Kindly confirm my understanding.

nRF9160 has support for SMS. If your carrier (and therefore the SIM provided by the carrier) has support for SMS when operating on M1/NB1, that should work.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon