Hello everyone,
I’m working with an Telestra AW1000 device running OpenWrt and an internal Quectel RG500Q 5G modem. I’m experiencing a low-level modem control issue where the Dial Mode is locked, AT commands are rejected, and the IMEI is not visible, resulting in no usable internet connection.
Device & Software
Device: AW1000
OS: OpenWrt
Modem: Quectel RG500Q
Connection method: Internal USB (PCIe-to-USB bridge)
Symptoms
Dial Mode cannot be changed
Dial Mode option is visible in LuCI
PPP / QMI / MBIM cannot be switched
Selection never applies and remains fixed
luci-proto-qmi and uqmi are installed correctly
AT commands are rejected
Modem exposes ports such as: /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyUSB2
Basic commands like AT either return no response or fail
Commands related to usbnet or dial configuration are not accepted
As a result, modem behavior cannot be controlled via AT interface
IMEI is not visible
IMEI does not appear in LuCI
Modem Manager information is incomplete
AT-based IMEI queries fail
This affects proper network registration and APN handling
USB / Modem State
Modem enumerates over USB, but control interfaces are limited
lsusb detects the device correctly
QMI interfaces appear, but modem control is partially blocked
The modem is effectively stuck in QMI/MBIM mode
PPP is completely unusable
Resulting Behavior
Because of the above:
IP address is not assigned reliably
Network interface comes up but has no connectivity
Internet does not work, even though the SIM card functions normally in other devices
OpenWrt cannot properly manage the modem due to lack of AT and usbnet control
Root Cause (Most Likely)
This does not appear to be an OpenWrt or LuCI misconfiguration.
The root cause strongly points to the modem firmware:
usbnet / dial mode is hard-locked
AT command handling is restricted or disabled
OpenWrt cannot switch modem modes or query IMEI
Firmware prevents full modem management from the host system
Possible Solutions
At this stage, the only realistic options seem to be:
Flashing a different / global RG500Q firmware that allows usbnet and AT command control
Accepting QMI-only operation and rebuilding the network configuration strictly around QMI (if possible)
If anyone has:
Experienced the same issue with AW1000 + RG500Q
Successfully unlocked usbnet / AT access
Firmware recommendations (non-locked versions)
I would really appreciate any guidance.
Thanks in advance.