[RG500Q-EA] WCDMA Band 1 Cell Detection Varies by Firmware Version

IoT Modules 5G Module
1

Hello,

I’m currently testing WCDMA cell detection using the Quectel RG500Q-EA module in South Korea.

Here’s what I’ve observed

(Firmware) RG500QEAAAR11A06M4G_01.200.01.200
can detect only (SKT)10836 but not (KT)10737

ex )
at+qeng=“servingcell”
+QENG: “servingcell”,“LIMSRV”,“WCDMA”,450,08,4020,20A81A5,10836,180,42,-67,-3,-,-,-,-,-
OK
at+qeng=“neighbourcell”
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10836,-59,348,-820,-225,2,-32768,-
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10836,-59,217,-830,-240,2,-32768,-
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10836,-59,12,-840,-250,2,-32768,-
OK

(Firmware) RG500QEAAAR11A06M4G_01.001.01.001
can detect only (KT)10737 but not (SKT)10836

ex)
at+qeng=“servingcell”
+QENG: “servingcell”,“LIMSRV”,“WCDMA”,450,05,2241,4815500,10737,62,1,-74,-6,-,-,-,-,-
OK
at+qeng=“neighbourcell”
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10737,-68,71,-750,-65,2,-13,-
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10737,-68,2,-840,-160,2,-32,-
+QENG: “neighbourcell”,“WCDMA”,10737,-68,60,-850,-165,2,-34,-

Both frequencies belong to WCDMA Band 1, and both are confirmed to be active (my phone can detect both networks without issue).

Questions:

  1. Why does the ability to detect WCDMA cells differ depending on firmware version?
  2. Is there a known change in RF policy, filtering, or MBN content between these firmware versions?
  3. Is there a firmware version that supports both UARFCN 10737 and 10836 reliably?
  4. Should I customize or deactivate the current MBN configuration?

Additional Question:

  • In WCDMA mode, does the module only report neighbor cells that are on the same frequency as the serving cell?
    I noticed that when one UARFCN is used as the serving cell, only that frequency appears in the neighbor cell list. Is this expected behavior?

Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

2

Dear @sentient26
As mentioned in other topic.
Network also have strategic to balance, not set all devices in one frequency.
We don’t have AT command to lock WCDMA frequency.

You can share your current firmware and which MBN you used.

3

The firmware version is ‘RG500QEAAAR11A06M4G_01.200.01.200’.
So what you mean is

So are you saying the network intentionally assigns different devices to different frequencies, like 10737 and 10836, for load balancing?

Then can’t I use the neighbour cell command to see which WCDMA are around me?

Thank you.

4

Dear @sentient26
For operator’s strategic, you can check with them.
Why do you want to use WCDMA? The speed is slow. And it will be closed in the future.

5

Actually I am not gonna use WCDMA. But I need to check WCDMA.
Thank you for your help!!