Cant Connect to External Sim in Nigeria (MTN) and (AIRTEL)

Airnote
1

I Just purchase the Notecard Airnote in Nigeria, but I am finding it difficult to connect it to an External Sim. I have tried using the Internal sim which isnt connecting to the GSM network. I used the configuration and here is the feedback from the console

{
“apn”: “web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net”,
“status”: “{cell-registration-wait}”,
“mode”: “auto”,
“count”: 4,
“net”: {
“iccid”: “89011704274021244448”,
“imsi”: “310170402124444”,
“imei”: “863740067289048”,
“modem”: “BG95M3LAR02A03_01.006.01.006”,
“internal”: true,
“rssi”: -60,
“sinr”: -20,
“bars”: 4
}
}

{
 "apn": "internet.ng.airtel.com",
 "status": "{cell-registration-wait}",
 "mode": "auto",
 "count": 4,
 "net": {
  "iccid": "89011704274021244448",
  "imsi": "310170402124444",
  "imei": "863740067289048",
  "modem": "BG95M3LAR02A03_01.006.01.006",
  "internal": true,
  "rssi": -60,
  "sinr": -20,
  "bars": 4
 }
}

> {"req":"hub.sync","allow":true}

{}

> {"req":"hub.sync.status"}

{
 "status": "waiting for wireless service 66 sec [+++-] {cell-registration-wait}",
 "sync": true,
 "requested": 98

It doesn’t move beyond the point of “cell-registration-wait”

Kindly do help. I believe it could be a wrong entry or something.

2

Hi @Kachi and welcome to the Blues community!

If you’re trying to use an external SIM with any Notecard (regardless if it’s in an Airnote or otherwise), you need to follow the instructions provided in this guide and issue the appropriate card.wireless request. When you see "internal":true that means the Notecard is using the embedded SIM (internal) vs external SIM.

If you’ve already issued that request, make sure the SIM is seated properly by removing it and re-inserting it.

Rob

3

I executed the necessary card.wireless request. with this command
{
“req”: “card.wireless”,
“apn”: “web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net”
}

Following this command, I get the the same response and it doesnt move past the cell registration point

“apn”: “web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net”,
“status”: “{cell-registration-wait}”,
“mode”: “auto”,
“count”: 3,
“net”: {
“iccid”: “89011704274021244448”,
“imsi”: “310170402124444”,
“imei”: “863740067289048”,
“modem”: “BG95M3LAR02A03_01.006.01.006”,
“internal”: true,
“rssi”: -77,
“sinr”: -20,
“bars”: 3

I am using MTN nigeria External Sim

Thank you for your support.

4

How can the notecard use the external sim as its primary. This will help the sim look for connections solely through the external sim since the internal sim is not compatible with connections in Nigeria.

Thank you again for the support

5

I also received a status message saying "External SIM not Plugged in…

image sim
image sim1920×2560 359 KB

Screenshot 2024-01-21 at 06.59.07
Screenshot 2024-01-21 at 06.59.072862×294 29.6 KB

6

The picture shows the orientaiton of the sim when I inserted it (it made a click sound)

Dont know what am doing wrong

7

I checked using the 1. type modem-test and you should see something like this

> modem-test

R769:23.62 accelerometer disabled (not needed)
R769:23.98 *** FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY *** LIMITED USE COUNT: 1 ***
R769:28.61 selected internal USIM
RDY

2. type `at+cfun=1` and you should see

> at+cfun=1

at+cfun=1
OK
APP RDY

3. type `at+cops=?` to see the lest of carriers that the modem is able to see from its current location. This command might take a while (up to 10 min), and please share what you see as a result.

I was able to note that it saw all the Networks available for connection MTN-NG, AIRTEL NIG and GLO NG..

I sent a card.wireless command for it to use external sim, which is already inserted into the notecard


Why then is it not connecting to the cell tower - Please help
8

This is very curious. Do you by any chance have another SIM you could at least test with? The Notecard should automatically recognize that there is an external SIM present.

9

I have tried with two activated MTN-NG and AIRTEL-NG SIMs (checked the SIMs on my phones for both network and internet connections).

same response - {cell-registration-wait}