SIM7020E doesn't register to network

Support
1

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.

AT+CSQ returns 0,0

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2

Hi Darshan,

Welcome to the forum!!

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

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3

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):

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4

Hello @Liam ,
I tried every AT command that I could, to do the initializations. Still, nothing seems to work. I might be missing something.
Link:- https://www.waveshare.com/sim7020e-nb-iot-hat.htm

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5

Hello @Oliver33
I will surely consider purchasing one. But is it supported in India?

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6

Perhaps not. Looks like the 7020G is, but not the 7020E:

https://www.simcom.com/product/SIM7020X.html

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7

Hi Darshan,

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.

Liam

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8

Hello @Liam,
The operating bands of SIM7020E includes a band on which my current operator works (vodafone).

And @Oliver33 yes you are right, SIM7020E does not support telstra sim, and probably the operator does not have its presence in India.

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9

I am still stuck with the problem.
Link of my board:- NB-IoT HAT for Raspberry Pi - Waveshare | Evelta

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10

Hi Darshan,

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.

Liam

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11

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!

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12

Did it work or not yet i am facing same problem

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13

Nope. I am shifting to M2M now.

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14

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

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15

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.

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16

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

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17

Yes, it is supported in limited areas only, so I ditched the plan to use NB-IoT.

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