Setting up my SIM for T-Mobile

[Greenday1]

Looking for some help setting up my SIM and navigating T-Mobile.

I have a Quectel EM20-G CAT20 modem interfaced with a WE1026-5G router through a Mini PCI-E to M.2 Adapter.

I'm signed up on T-Mobile's unlimited prepaid plan, need to activate my SIM but don't want to cause issue activating it. can someone confirm for me if I need to be activating it first on a phone and then moving it to my router? I have an older Iphone 5s & 6 that I think I can use if needed.

Also the T-Mobile packaging the SIM arrived in had a sticker on it saying "New One Step Activation: insert and go" but the paperwork inside with the SIM said I need to go to T-Mobile website to register it and my device. When I look at their activation link online it also didn't seem to recognize the phone number that should be on the SIM.

Can someone help me with next steps?

[terryjett]

Looks like someone else is having similar questions (not just SIM but might help you):

https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&p=7051

Most all recommend activating in phone first, make sure all working then tackle router setup.

Best I can suggest tonight...

[Greenday1]

Ok. Phone said SIM card is activated and I was able to call it and get to a voicemail prompt. Is there anything else I need to do before inserting into the router? Can anyone help me check or verify the router/modem settings?

Also I still need to apparently finish by going online with T-Mobile to setup my account. Anyone aware of anything I should be aware of before doing that part?

Thanks

[Didneywhorl]

I'm not familiar. If you don't get any replies and cant find info through the search, try the Facebook group. It is very active and has lots of info. Use the search there too.

[terryjett]

Everyone I have ever heard of using t-mobile in router is: they get it working in phone first. Which means to me you have to activate the service in phone, meaning you can make calls and surf the net with phone. Then you setup router APN, TTL and insert SIM.

You can also ask the folks over at The Wireless Haven Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/LTE.HACKS Seems a lot of them use t-mobile.

[Greenday1]

Well... connected... sort of...

[Greenday1]

Settings within the router/modem definitely aren't right. Router can't seem to pull certain info from the modem and the modem might not be always coming up consistently too.

[JimHelms]

Disable Connection Monitoring if you enabled it.

[Greenday1]

Just checked and it is disabled.

[Greenday1]

Under the modem, Network Status, General Info; The Provider field never updates from Connecting and no information comes up under Modem/SIM, Signal or Cell fields.

[terryjett]

Something I discovered with a t-mobile mvno was had to experiment with the TTL. 65 did not work, so set to 64 and had a speed increase. Might be worth a try to change TTL. I would also reboot just fun of it after changing TTL. You might also give the router/modem 15 minutes or so before testing speed (give modem time to decide on best signal).

[JimHelms]

Under the modem, Network Status, General Info; The Provider field never updates from Connecting and no information comes up under Modem/SIM, Signal or Cell fields.

You will not see the stats until you are connected.

Lets first try to program the modem for LTE Only:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3,1

[Didneywhorl]

What does

Code: Select all

at+csq

return?

[Didneywhorl]

prob nothing..... hang on...

[Didneywhorl]

What is here in Signal Info?...

[Didneywhorl]

Pro tip:

The EM20G does not actually reboot unless you either use command:

Code: Select all

at+cfun=1,1

but always use

Code: Select all

at+cfun=0

first. Then use the reset command

OR use at+cfun=0, wait a minute, then at+cfun=1, wait a minute, then pull the power from the router, wait a minuite, plug the power back in. These 2 ways are the only way to truly reboot the EM20G modem.

Some settings will not work between the modem and router unless this happens.

NOTE: You will likely have to reset

Code: Select all

at+qcfg="nwscanmode",3,1

after a hard reboot

I also like to use

Code: Select all

at+qindcfg="all",0,1

after a hard modem reset

SOMETIMES I'll run the two CFUN commands after a hard reset (power off, power onn) and then simply "reboot" the router with the menu.

[Didneywhorl]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kPYu2 ... UAq0WQ0Wuw
Here is the AT command guide for the EM20 as well....

Just be careful playing with the commands too much. You can brick it

[Greenday1]

JIm am I adding that under the modem and if so where or under the Network firewall custom rules?

Didneywhorl can you walk me through how to run that string? Also I have no values currently under Signal info. Firmware is GoldenOrb_2020-03-07.

[Didneywhorl]

When I run a fresh install, which I do often on my unit , I do the following:

login
change the password
Save/Apply
set the System-->system--> Time ... sync with browser, and set the time zone
Save/Apply
Set the Modem-->Connection Profile -- >Default Profile --> APN
Save/Apply
Network-->Firewall--> Custom TTL Settings (up top right)--> check enabled--> set to desired, I use 67 . I'm on Sprint though.
Save/Apply

If its a WG3526P I then go to Network-->Switch--> and change VLAN 2 to off under WAN and VLAN 1 to untagged under WAN
Then--> Save/Apply

Modem--> Misc--> AT commands term-->>
AT+QCFG="NWSCANMODE",3,1
at+QINDCFG="all",0,1
AT+CFUN=0
AT+CFUN=1
Modem-->Misc-->Cellular Mode-->Change Cellular Mode --> 4G Only -- >Apply Mode Change
Modem--> Misc--> AT commands term-->>
AT+QCFG="NWSCANMODE"
ensure it returns:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="NWSCANMODE"?
+QCFG: "nwscanmode",3

OK

System-->Reboot-->Perform Reboot


No other changes need to be made ...usually

[JimHelms]

JIm am I adding that under the modem and if so where or under the Network firewall custom rules?

Didneywhorl can you walk me through how to run that string? Also I have no values currently under Signal info. Firmware is GoldenOrb_2020-03-07.

Those are AT!COMMANDS to use. Go to the MODEM > MISC > AT COMMAND TERMINAL and enter them.

[Greenday1]

Ok... Doing my best to keep up here guys.

Jim just copied that into the command and hit send command and it said waiting for response for a minute then the window went blank again without returning anything.

[Greenday1]

It doesn't make a difference if I'm connected to it over wifi does it?

[Greenday1]

Didneywhorl I didn't get a response from at+csq.

[Greenday1]

I did reset the custom rules for the TTL to 64 but only rebooted the System reboot function and didn't reboot as described Didneywhorl but can reboot going forward like that.

[Greenday1]

Should the Comm Port on the Modem, Network Status screen be set to this if I'm using a PCI-E to M.2 interface?

Comm Port : /dev/ttyUSB2

[JimHelms]

Since this forum is for Internet Service Providers, I will lock this topic and keep the information for reference.

Please continue the topic on the original post HERE.

[Didneywhorl]

Sorry, i kind of hit you with the firehose.

Hold on......