nRF9160DK can't connect to LTE Network (iBasis and Altice SIM)

[Caio Dias]

Hello, DevZoners!

Hope you all doing great!

I have 2 9160DK's and for a few weeks now I've been trying to connect to the LTE network and then connect to the nRF Cloud (for the example of the at client and asset tracker) and so far without success.

I'm located in the north of Portugal, and reading the threads on DevZone about iBasis SIM a question came up: In the issue of network coverage NETWORK COVERAGE | iBASIS in Portgual, iBasis SIM says it's LTE-M national coverage, but when I look at Mobile IoT deployment Map GSMA | Mobile IoT Deployment Map | Internet of Things in Portugal shows NB-IoT nationwide coverage, so when loading .hex file to asset tracker DK should I load LTE-M or NB-IoT example?

With the previous question, I purchased an Altice M2M SIM to try to connect using the NB-IoT network (which I'm sure the NB-IoT coverage is supported), the connection attempts were also made with the iBasis SIM, and by the example of the AT Client it is always looking for the network and the connection never is established.

I don't know what is the issue for not getting the connection. 

Any help I would appreciate a lot!!!

Best Regards, Caio.

Below I attach the logs and photos of the AT client using iBasis. I will soon send the log and photos using Altice's SIM.

2021-09-20T14_50_01.694Z-log.txt

[Caio Dias]

Updating with the connection test with Altice's SIM.

2021-09-21T10:15:23.090Z INFO Application data folder: C:\Users\caio_\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor
2021-09-21T10:15:23.142Z DEBUG App pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor v1.1.10 official
2021-09-21T10:15:23.142Z DEBUG App path: C:\Users\caio_\.nrfconnect-apps\node_modules\pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor
2021-09-21T10:15:23.142Z DEBUG nRFConnect 3.7.1, required by the app is (^3.6.0)
2021-09-21T10:15:23.142Z DEBUG nRFConnect path: C:\Users\caio_\AppData\Local\Programs\nrfconnect\resources\app.asar
2021-09-21T10:15:23.143Z DEBUG HomeDir: C:\Users\caio_
2021-09-21T10:15:23.143Z DEBUG TmpDir: C:\Users\caio_\AppData\Local\Temp
2021-09-21T10:15:25.611Z INFO Modem port is opened
2021-09-21T10:16:00.757Z INFO Modem port is closed
2021-09-21T10:16:02.487Z INFO Modem port is opened
2021-09-21T10:16:04.167Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?
2021-09-21T10:16:04.183Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1
2021-09-21T10:16:04.194Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:16:06.159Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN=1
2021-09-21T10:16:06.173Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:16:07.503Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?
2021-09-21T10:16:07.519Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1
2021-09-21T10:16:07.527Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.046Z DEBUG modem << *** Booting Zephyr OS build v2.6.0-rc1-ncs1  ***
2021-09-21T10:16:11.068Z DEBUG modem << I: Starting bootloader
2021-09-21T10:16:11.071Z DEBUG modem << I: Primary image: magic=unset, swap_type=0x1, copy_done=0x3, image_ok=0x3
2021-09-21T10:16:11.076Z DEBUG modem << I: Secondary image: magic=unset, swap_type=0x1, copy_done=0x3, image_ok=0x3
2021-09-21T10:16:11.079Z DEBUG modem << I: Boot source: none
2021-09-21T10:16:11.082Z DEBUG modem << I: Swap type: none
2021-09-21T10:16:11.394Z DEBUG modem << I: Bootloader chainload address offset: 0x10000
2021-09-21T10:16:11.409Z DEBUG modem << I: Jumping to the first image slot
2021-09-21T10:16:11.667Z DEBUG modem << *** Booting Zephyr OS build v2.6.0-rc1-ncs1  ***
2021-09-21T10:16:11.683Z DEBUG modem << Flash regionsDomainPermissions
2021-09-21T10:16:11.689Z DEBUG modem << 00 03 0x00000 0x20000 Securerwxl
2021-09-21T10:16:11.693Z DEBUG modem << 04 31 0x20000 0x100000 Non-Securerwxl
2021-09-21T10:16:11.713Z DEBUG modem << Non-secure callable region 0 placed in flash region 2 with size 32.
2021-09-21T10:16:11.733Z DEBUG modem << SRAM regionDomainPermissions
2021-09-21T10:16:11.735Z DEBUG modem << 00 07 0x00000 0x10000 Securerwxl
2021-09-21T10:16:11.738Z DEBUG modem << 08 31 0x10000 0x40000 Non-Securerwxl
2021-09-21T10:16:11.741Z DEBUG modem << PeripheralDomainStatus
2021-09-21T10:16:11.744Z DEBUG modem << 00 NRF_P0               Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.750Z DEBUG modem << 01 NRF_CLOCK            Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.752Z DEBUG modem << 02 NRF_RTC0             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.755Z DEBUG modem << 03 NRF_RTC1             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.758Z DEBUG modem << 04 NRF_NVMC             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.762Z DEBUG modem << 05 NRF_UARTE1           Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.767Z DEBUG modem << 06 NRF_UARTE2           SecureSKIP
2021-09-21T10:16:11.770Z DEBUG modem << 07 NRF_TWIM2            Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.772Z DEBUG modem << 08 NRF_SPIM3            Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.775Z DEBUG modem << 09 NRF_TIMER0           Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.783Z DEBUG modem << 10 NRF_TIMER1           Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.784Z DEBUG modem << 11 NRF_TIMER2           Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.786Z DEBUG modem << 12 NRF_SAADC            Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.789Z DEBUG modem << 13 NRF_PWM0             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.792Z DEBUG modem << 14 NRF_PWM1             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.799Z DEBUG modem << 15 NRF_PWM2             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.803Z DEBUG modem << 16 NRF_PWM3             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.804Z DEBUG modem << 17 NRF_WDT              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.807Z DEBUG modem << 18 NRF_IPC              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.810Z DEBUG modem << 19 NRF_VMC              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.815Z DEBUG modem << 20 NRF_FPU              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.818Z DEBUG modem << 21 NRF_EGU1             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.820Z DEBUG modem << 22 NRF_EGU2             Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.823Z DEBUG modem << 23 NRF_DPPIC            Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.827Z DEBUG modem << 24 NRF_REGULATORS       Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.832Z DEBUG modem << 25 NRF_PDM              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.834Z DEBUG modem << 26 NRF_I2S              Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.837Z DEBUG modem << 27 NRF_GPIOTE1          Non-SecureOK
2021-09-21T10:16:11.840Z DEBUG modem << SPM: NS image at 0x20200
2021-09-21T10:16:11.842Z DEBUG modem << SPM: NS MSP at 0x200257a8
2021-09-21T10:16:11.845Z DEBUG modem << SPM: NS reset vector at 0x2a0cd
2021-09-21T10:16:11.849Z DEBUG modem << SPM: prepare to jump to Non-Secure image.
2021-09-21T10:16:12.062Z DEBUG modem << *** Booting Zephyr OS build v2.6.0-rc1-ncs1  ***
2021-09-21T10:16:12.078Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.206,512] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: Asset tracker started[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.085Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.212,738] [0m<inf> watchdog: Watchdog timeout installed. Timeout: 60000[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.087Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.220,397] [0m<inf> watchdog: Watchdog started[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.113Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.232,635] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.allocate_and_copy_client_id: client_id = nrf-352656106107223[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.115Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.243,377] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: accepted_topic: nrf-352656106107223/shadow/get/accepted[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.122Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.254,913] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: rejected_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656106107223/shadow/get/rejected[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.135Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.267,639] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: update_delta_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656106107223/shadow/update/delta[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.149Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.280,639] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: update_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656106107223/shadow/update[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.158Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.292,663] [0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: shadow_get_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656106107223/shadow/get[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.167Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.304,840] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: Connecting to LTE network.[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:12.172Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:00.311,553] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: This may take several minutes.[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:28.554Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"BAC2","0012316F",9
2021-09-21T10:16:28.578Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:16.700,042] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: LTE cell changed: Cell ID: 1192303, Tracking area: 47810[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:29.243Z DEBUG modem << +CSCON: 1
2021-09-21T10:16:29.249Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:17.388,031] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: RRC mode: Connected[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:30.731Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"BAC2","0012316F",9,0,15
2021-09-21T10:16:30.784Z DEBUG modem << +CSCON: 0
2021-09-21T10:16:30.793Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:18.929,626] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: RRC mode: Idle[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:31.089Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2
2021-09-21T10:16:31.101Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:19.232,055] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: LTE cell changed: Cell ID: -1, Tracking area: -1[0m
2021-09-21T10:16:53.514Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"0244","0009907B",9
2021-09-21T10:16:53.544Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:41.660,369] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: LTE cell changed: Cell ID: 626811, Tracking area: 580[0m
2021-09-21T10:17:04.439Z DEBUG modem << +CSCON: 1
2021-09-21T10:17:04.445Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:52.584,136] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: RRC mode: Connected[0m
2021-09-21T10:17:04.648Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"0244","0009907B",9,0,15
2021-09-21T10:17:04.687Z DEBUG modem << +CSCON: 0
2021-09-21T10:17:04.692Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:52.835,205] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: RRC mode: Idle[0m
2021-09-21T10:17:05.385Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2
2021-09-21T10:17:05.394Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:53.534,271] [0m<inf> asset_tracker: LTE cell changed: Cell ID: -1, Tracking area: -1[0m
2021-09-21T10:24:22.970Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?
2021-09-21T10:24:22.983Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1
2021-09-21T10:24:22.994Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.006Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGSN=1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.015Z DEBUG modem << +CGSN: "352656106107223"
2021-09-21T10:24:23.017Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.028Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMI
2021-09-21T10:24:23.035Z DEBUG modem << Nordic Semiconductor ASA
2021-09-21T10:24:23.046Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.053Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMM
2021-09-21T10:24:23.063Z DEBUG modem << nRF9160-SICA
2021-09-21T10:24:23.067Z DEBUG modem << 
2021-09-21T10:24:23.069Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.080Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMR
2021-09-21T10:24:23.095Z DEBUG modem << mfw_nrf9160_1.3.0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.098Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.102Z INFO Nordic Semiconductor ASA nRF9160-SICA [mfw_nrf9160_1.3.0] SerNr: 352656106107223
2021-09-21T10:24:23.111Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEMODE?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.118Z DEBUG modem << +CEMODE: 0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.120Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.138Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XCBAND=?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.148Z DEBUG modem << %XCBAND: (1,2,3,4,5,8,12,13,17,19,20,25,26,28,66)
2021-09-21T10:24:23.151Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.164Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.169Z DEBUG modem << +CMEE: 0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.178Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.181Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE=1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.191Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.196Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.201Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC: 0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.202Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.210Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC=24
2021-09-21T10:24:23.214Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.217Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.227Z DEBUG modem << +CGEREP: 0,0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.228Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.233Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGDCONT?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.244Z DEBUG modem << +CGDCONT: 0,"","","",0,0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.246Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.250Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGACT?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.262Z DEBUG modem << +CGACT: 0,0
2021-09-21T10:24:23.263Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.267Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP=1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.278Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.284Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIND=1,1,1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.293Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.296Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG=5
2021-09-21T10:24:23.300Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.309Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.316Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 5,2
2021-09-21T10:24:23.319Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.332Z DEBUG modem >> AT%CESQ=1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.336Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.345Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CESQ
2021-09-21T10:24:23.353Z DEBUG modem << +CESQ: 99,99,255,255,28,55
2021-09-21T10:24:23.355Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.367Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM=1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.377Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.381Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.386Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 1
2021-09-21T10:24:23.396Z DEBUG modem << 
2021-09-21T10:24:23.397Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.410Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPIN?
2021-09-21T10:24:23.416Z DEBUG modem << +CPIN: READY
2021-09-21T10:24:23.419Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.431Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"
2021-09-21T10:24:23.445Z DEBUG modem << +CPINR: "SIM PIN",3
2021-09-21T10:24:23.448Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.451Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIMI
2021-09-21T10:24:23.461Z DEBUG modem << 208090025028169
2021-09-21T10:24:23.463Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:24:23.464Z INFO IMSIdentity: 208090025028169
2021-09-21T10:24:24.067Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 57,2,24,3
2021-09-21T10:24:26.618Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 56,2,29,4
2021-09-21T10:25:22.927Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 60,3,34,4
2021-09-21T10:25:25.488Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 55,2,30,4
2021-09-21T10:25:56.227Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 57,2,25,3
2021-09-21T10:25:58.765Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 56,2,30,4
2021-09-21T10:26:12.188Z DEBUG modem << [00:10:00.363,067] [0m<inf> lte_lc: Network connection attempt timed out[0m
2021-09-21T10:26:12.221Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0,255,0
2021-09-21T10:26:12.250Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 0
2021-09-21T10:26:12.273Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 0
2021-09-21T10:26:12.291Z DEBUG modem << [00:10:00.389,282] [0m<inf> lte_lc: Using fallback network mode[0m
2021-09-21T10:26:14.445Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 1
2021-09-21T10:26:14.483Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPIN?
2021-09-21T10:26:14.496Z DEBUG modem << +CPIN: READY
2021-09-21T10:26:14.500Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:26:14.539Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"
2021-09-21T10:26:14.583Z DEBUG modem << +CPINR: "SIM PIN",3
2021-09-21T10:26:14.587Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:26:14.630Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIMI
2021-09-21T10:26:14.640Z DEBUG modem << 208090025028169
2021-09-21T10:26:14.644Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-09-21T10:26:14.647Z INFO IMSIdentity: 208090025028169
2021-09-21T10:26:47.683Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 4

[Øyvind]

Can you please let it run longer after the message: "Using fallback network mode"? 

Please let the board run for about 30 minutes. 

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Øyvind]

Caio Dias, thanks for providing this log. In the beginning of the log the device still receives reject cause 15 while trying to connect NB-IoT network. Can you verify with Altice that this SIM supports NB-IoT? Is the SIM activated? Are you able to test with e.g. Vodafone?

so when loading .hex file to asset tracker DK should I load LTE-M or NB-IoT example?

 Given that NB-IoT is the only protocol supported in Portugal it should be NB-IoT. And from the logs you can see that the application uses fallback to switch to LTE-M. 

 

Caio Dias said:

is this signal found is related to NB-IoT or could be any other cellular network?

 From the CEREG command you can see it is trying to connect NB-IoT, and I would assume that this is correct. Not sure why iBasis Tech Support shows LTE-M for Portugal. Did you activate the iBasis SIM?

[iBasis Tech Support]

Hi,

From the testing we performed in Portugal, we found LTE-M to be available in select areas. Please look at the coverage list we have on the Devzone and try to force a connection to the same operator that we tested in Portugal.

iBasis Tech Support

[Øyvind]

Thanks for the reply iBasis Tech Support! Can you elaborate on GSMA | Mobile IoT Deployment Map | Internet of Things, why does this claim NB-IoT only?

iBasis Tech Support said:

Please look at the coverage list we have on the Devzone

Do you mean this blog post updated August 2021?

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[iBasis Tech Support]

Hi, yes, I meant that list with the test locations and timer settings. I believe the GSMA only lists the operators that have completed the country wide rollout . In some cases, it is possible that an operator has only started to deploy LTE-M and the coverage is limited.

iBasis Tech Support

[Øyvind]

iBasis Tech Support, thanks for clarifying! 

-Øyvind

[Caio Dias]

Hello!

I appreciate all the help, Thanks a lot!

I've been testing either with iBasis's SIM and Altice's SIM and none of them work out in my location and this morning I bought a NOS IoT SIM and worked instantly, whatever the Nordic cellular example is. 

Thus, for anyone that is far from Lisbon or Porto, I think the NOS SIM card is the best suit.

[Øyvind]

Caio Dias, very good to hear and thanks for providing the information on NOS SIM. Happy that we were able to solve the issue. 

Kind regards,
Øyvind