Reply To: XBee and Hologram LTE: issues connecting to internet

I have a similar issue with our Xbee3 LTE.  I have the hardware set up identical to how Letsid has it above. I am using the ‘LTExBee_FirstConnection.ino’ code, with the only amendmen

I have a similar issue with our Xbee3 LTE.  I have the hardware set up identical to how Letsid has it above. I am using the ‘LTExBee_FirstConnection.ino’ code, with the only amendment being a change of the apn to ‘m2m’ (as required for the Spark network).   The serial output I get from this code (after the initial setup) is: “Signal quality = 0”, over and over.  I left this for an hour and still got the same message.

I have a few questions/comments that might get me a step closer:

1) Do I need to do anything to the sim before inserting it?  Cellphone sims need to be activated, but the instructions from the NZ IOT provider (Spark) suggested that I should just insert it, turn on the LTE and then ‘test’ it from their developers portal.

2) Cell signal is unlikely to be the problem as I am testing this at my house in an urban area.  However, is there a way I can query the LTE to see what signals it can see (rather than connected signal) to determine if the antenna is the problem?

3) Spark provides 3G, 4G, 5G and CAT-M1 coverage (Spark NZ network coverage).  CAT-M1 seems to be the most appropriate for this method.  Should I be doing something different to specify that I want to use the CAT-M1 network as opposed to the 3G or 4G?

4) I understand network bands need to align with the capability of the Xbee3 LTE.  Spark CAT-M1 operates on Band 28 (700MHz) and Band 3 (1800MHz).  The LTE seems to support bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 and 39, therefore I don’t think this is the problem.

5) Is there anything else that anyone can think of that might prevent the LTE from working here in New Zealand?

6) Would I have more success with a Hologram sim?  These operate on the Vodafone network in NZ, but at least my methods would align with everyone else.

5) Another option would be to purchase a developers board and ensure that network connections are addressed in XCTU rather than operating blind on the Mayfly.  Would this help?

As always, thanks for your help.

Regards,

James