Hi,
I have been trying to get a 5G connection from my module (RM520N-GL 5G Hat) for several months, but the only connections I get are “ E-UTRAN” ( when I set the network search preference mode to “LTE”) and “E-UTRAN-NR dual connectivity” ( when I set the network search preference mode to “AUTO”). But if I use only AT+QNWPREFCFG=“mode_pref”', NR5G I don’t get anything. It shows “Search” when I quired with “servingcell”.
If I query the Firmware version with AT+cversion, I get:
Version: RM520NGLAAR01A08M4G
Jun 20 2023 15:46:31
Authors: Quectel
I am using ATT SIM in the Buffalo, NY, USA area. When the ATT says, they have NSA 5G in my area with the frequency bands (n2,n5,n77, n258,n260,n261 ). I configured this band to my module. If I use AT command to look for ue capability, I can only see bands 2,5,77 are configured since maybe the RM520N-GL module only supports from (n1- n79). I made sure my 5g is enabled using AT+QNWPREFCFG=“nr5g_disable_mode”.
I tested with two settings: (i) only when looking for a 5G network (AT+QNWPREFCFG=“mode_pref”‘, NR5G), (ii) looks for either 5G or LTE network (AT+QNWPREFCFG=“mode_pref”’, NR5G:LTE).
I tested with two operators: (i) AT&T SIM: using an IoT SIM (ii) Tello SIM, that I uses in my mobile phone (that uses T-mobile cellular network in USA)
(i) With AT&T IoT SIM, I was unable to connect to the 5G network using the AT&T SIM. When I adjusted the settings to search for either 5G or LTE, the module connected to the LTE network with the AT&T SIM. Also, I got another connection type which was “E-UTRAN-NR Dual connectivity”. But AT&T confirmed us our module didn’t use any 5G network from ATT and even it didn’t request for any 5G resource. Also, when we checked for network type, it showed “LTE network”.
(ii) With Tello SIM, I was able to establish a 5G connection with the module using the Tello SIM.
Now, my question is: is there any restriction on using IoT SIm cards with the 5G mobile?
I once reached to the waveshare, they mentioned "Some pure data cards or IoT cards are restricted in other devices or after changing devices, and cannot be registered to the 5G network. "
Does anyone have any suggestions on it? We are planning to use AT&T IoT SIM card, but not getting 5G network.
It is possible that AT&T is lying about its 5G coverage in your area.
It was caught lying before and sued by Sprint about it:
After the lawsuit, I don’t think AT&T is going to actively lie that hard again, BUT it will almost certainly stretch the truth in the same way that the Big Mac in the photos behind the counter always look better than the Big Mac you actually get to eat.
In my area, AT&T and T-Mobile claim to have 5G coverage but the signal is so poor that it is effectively a lie. You might be in a similar situation.