I purchased a NB-IoT board recently, that is based on SIM7020E module. I am using a Vodafone IoT simcard with the board. But, I am unable to get any signal on the board. As well as no available operators are being shown. I tested the sim card with my phone and it works fine but not with board.
Comparing the reference for the SIM7020E and the bands used by Vodaphone in Australia I can see that band 8 is common, as well as confirming with your phone that points to the SIM board.
Do you have a link to the one that you purchased? A good sanity check is to unplug everything (except the antenna as those connectors usually have a lower mating cycle than most other connections).
I haven’t used the SIM7020x myself but usually, there is some portion of code that initialises the radio then you can start communicating, I’m still reading through the documentation at the moment but we’ll get back to you soon!
Liam
Some networks only allow approved devices. SIMCOM have a lot of approvals with Telstra, so it might be worth getting a $2 telstra sim just to test with (you don’t need to load it up, I did the same thing):
Along with Olivers advice about the specific board, some telco providers only have access to specific bands, Telstra having great coverage in Australia.
Before you purchase a sim card it would be worth making sure that you will have access to the same bands that the NB-IOT is able to listen and transmit on.
Which phone were you testing the Sim card on ?(taking a look through the spec sheet if ones available and checking the bands it can connect to would confirm if any overlap).
It would also be worth getting in touch with your telco to ensure that they are broadcasting and receiving on those bands that the SIM7020E is using.
HI Liam,
I am using Samsung Note 9. Specs - Samsung Galaxy Note9 | Samsung India
And, I just found out that the sim card is M2M. I am not sure if it will support NB-IoT. The telecom operator hasn’t replied to my query yet, but that’s what SIMCOM INDIA has to say.
Thank you!
My advice is to call ur operators in ur country and ask if they has NB-iot integrated or no
since here in my country (Lebanon) NB-iot is not integrated cause that I didnt get any signal
I had a quick look at the data sheet and AT command manual. Seems the 7020 is nb-iot only. I think the 7000 or 7600 series are better options as they also support CAT-M1.
Hey, guys I am sorry it took so long to reply. @Oliver33 yes, 7000 series is very attractive in terms of price as compared to 7600 series.
But it seems like there is a problem with secured MQTT on 7000 series.
Please check my query here: SIM7070G does not connect to AWS IoT with MQTT