Set Cellular Access Point Name (APN)

[benstr]

Making my first attempt to connect the gPy and FiPy to the Hologram.io network. I followed the instructions located in the LTE docs but the docs fail to let the user set the APN. Without the APN being properly set the device is denied from connecting to the network by the tower.

I dug a bit more and discovered the APN is possibly getting hard set to "internet", reference source code:

https://github.com/pycom/pycom-micropython-sigfox/blob/ec4c3bb22a59a06870f37ea05d4be054c9bf44ef/esp32/3gpp/lib3GPP.c#L32

As an alternative, is there a recommended way to interact directly with the Sequans module? Possibly through UART? If so I could interact with the cellular module directly with AT commands.

Cheers.

[Denisslevi]

Hi,
I have the same problem - need to set APN;
How can I do that? direct AT command control - would be the best option.
Please advice.
Thanks.

Regards,

[jmarcelino]

Hi @benstr,

Thanks for the question but the main issue in your case is that LTE-M modem has not been approved (whitelisted) by Verizon yet, that process is currently underway (ETA on that is one to two weeks)

We'll add configuration options and suggested connection "recipes" for our certified carriers as required.

We can provide a "debug" AT command mode, but you won't be able to connect using that as the IP stack needs to tie in with the modem.

[livius]

@jmarcelino
I suppose that APN is definitly needed.
think about private APN in GSM operator network with "custom" name.

[jmarcelino]

@livius
Yep, I'm not saying we won't have different APN configurations. We'll definitely have those - and more.

The current LTE stack is more of a preview and will evolve as we get approved by the networks and also from feedback by networks and users.

Also note LTE Cat M1 is slightly different from GSM, most carriers view it as a different service, require different SIM cards etc.

[benstr]

@jmarcelino thanks for the additional information, appreciate it!

One of the benefits of using Hologram.io is you can use uncertified modems on all the U.S. carrier networks. If we had the ability to change the APN to "hologram" the Sequans modem would have access to ATT and Verizon Cat-M networks as a roaming device.

Debug mode sounds helpful too!

Cheers

[jmarcelino]

@benstr
Thanks Ben, that is surprising news on the uncertified modems/roaming but hey if it really works like that I'll take it :-)

I've reached out by e-mail already but let me get a test firmware built for you, hopefully you can do some testing and we'll take it from there.

Cheers

[benstr]

@jmarcelino thanks! Looking forward to the test firmware.

...checking my email

[rskoniec]

@jmarcelino, @benstr I'm also interested in Hologram.io, so please give a feedback how the test firmware is doing. Thanx in advance. :)

[Denisslevi]

@jmarcelino Yes, we also looking for set custom APN. Our company here in Canada has own private APN for all our devices. Would be nice to have function to direct control AT commands. (such as: return = sendAT('AT'), or return = sendAT('AT+CGDCONT=1.....') and etc.)
Thanks

[Denisslevi]

@jmarcelino Thanks for quick replay,
is may be it my case : on debug:
" [..+CEREG: 2,4....OK..]C, restarting...AT COMMAND: [AT+CEREG?..]ATBAD RESPONSE: [..+CEREG: 2,4....OK..]C, restarting.."

Do I need to talk to my networks provider for CAT1 different sim and etc?
Thanks again!~
Regards.

[jmarcelino]

Hi @Denisslevi
Yes CEREG: 2,4 means the device can't reach a network (ie. you're out of coverage)

From their announcement I believe Bell Canada will only have a LTE-M (Cat M1, note the M it's not Cat1) network in the coming year (2018): http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/Bell-to-launch-LTE-M-network-to-transform-the-way-Canadians-use-the-Internet-of-Things-1

Telus and Rogers as far as I know will come later. If you find anything more please let me know.

[Denisslevi]

@jmarcelino Thank you again. Yes, we are partner with Telus and other... all of them working on beta right now....
I am sorry for off-top: jmarcelino is any way you may contact me by email please.We would like get more information (include OEM) of your products but I sent email to sales - no response from there.
Regards,
Denis

[bali]

@jmarcelino

What's the ETA for the firmware that will support APN settings? Is the modem in the Gpy AT&T certified?

Thanks.

[jmarcelino]

@bali
We'll have APN and other settings soon. The modem itself is certified with AT&T certified but that's not enough, AT&T in particular requires PTCRB and AT&T approval of the device too. These are in progress.

We're working with Verizon first.

[bali]

@jmarcelino Can you please be a little bit more specific what "soon" means? Days, weeks? Thanks.

[jmarcelino]

@bali
Days. It's not just the APN we're working on other things. Thanks for your patience.

May I know which network you're looking to connect to?

[bali]

@jmarcelino

I'm planning on connecting to AT&T. I already have hundreds of devices on AT&T's network through LTE CAT 1 modems, but need better building propagation for remote monitoring assets deep inside buildings. Thanks

[camdenkrupala]

I'm in a similar situation to @bali. Excited to see the addition of APN coming so soon!

[bali]

@jmarcelino

Any updates on the release?