SIM Card Setup
This chapter takes a device from the box to a registered network connection. Follow it in order: set the radio mode first, then apply the settings for your SIM card, then verify the result.
Every configuration change must be confirmed with config save, which stores the settings and reboots the device.
Step 1 - Select the radio mode
Some catalog firmwares can use either a cellular (NB-IoT/LTE-M) or a LoRaWAN network. After power-up such a firmware does not send any data, the LED is blinking yellow, and the radio mode has to be selected first.
The default is that the device uses no radio at all (mode none), so this step is mandatory on the following catalog applications:
- CHESTER Clime
- CHESTER Control
- CHESTER Push
- CHESTER Current
- CHESTER Scale
- CHESTER Meteo
- CHESTER Range
Set the mode parameter to the network you want to use:
app config mode lte
app config mode lrw
Use lte for an NB-IoT/LTE-M network and lrw for LoRaWAN. Then apply the change:
config save
The device reboots and starts using the selected network.
Step 2 - Apply the settings for your SIM card
Pick the section matching your SIM card. If a parameter is left empty, the device performs auto-configuration based on the available hardware and the network environment.
Vodafone SIM card
Reference LTE settings for CHESTER with a Vodafone SIM card:
lte config mode "lte-m,nb-iot"
lte config bands ""
lte config network ""
lte config apn ""
lte config auth "none"
lte config username ""
lte config password ""
lte config addr "192.168.192.4"
1NCE SIM card
Reference LTE settings for CHESTER with a 1NCE SIM card:
lte config mode "lte-m,nb-iot"
lte config bands ""
lte config network ""
lte config apn "iot.1nce.net"
lte config auth "none"
lte config username ""
lte config password ""
lte config addr "157.245.24.13"
Other SIM cards
For a SIM card from another provider, start from the settings below and set the apn according to your SIM card holder:
lte config antenna "internal"
lte config mode "lte-m,nb-iot"
lte config bands ""
lte config network ""
lte config apn ""
lte config auth "none"
lte config username ""
lte config password ""
lte config addr "157.245.24.13"
lte config modemtrace false
| SIM card holder | APN |
|---|---|
| 1NCE | iot.1nce.net |
| Onomondo | onomondo |
| Slovak Telekom | nbiot.telekom.sk |
| Mobily Saudi Arabia | M2M-NB |
If your provider is not listed, ask them for the APN and whether APN authentication is required. The Network Requirements chapter contains a checklist you can forward to them directly.
Do not forget to save the configuration:
config save
Tested SIM cards and operators
The combinations below have been validated by HARDWARIO in the field. This list grows as further operators are put into service - if your operator is not here, it does not mean the device will not work, only that we have not verified it ourselves.
| SIM card / operator | Coverage | Technology | APN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone (HARDWARIO) | Europe + roaming partners worldwide | NB-IoT, LTE-M | hardwario | Per-country PLMN IDs and APNs are listed in Vodafone SIM EU28+2. |
| 1NCE (HARDWARIO) | Non-European countries | NB-IoT, LTE-M | iot.1nce.net | Recommended outside Europe. |
| Vodafone United Kingdom | United Kingdom | NB-IoT | hardwario | Roaming onto Vodafone UK, PLMN 23415. |
| Onomondo | Multi-operator | NB-IoT, LTE-M | onomondo | APN confirmed, no band or PLMN lock required. |
| Slovak Telekom | Slovakia | NB-IoT | nbiot.telekom.sk | |
| Mobily | Saudi Arabia | NB-IoT | M2M-NB |
Roaming partners and shared networks change over time, so a working combination can stop working without any change on the device. If a previously working deployment stops registering, run a network scan at the site before changing the configuration.
Step 3 - Verify your settings
Display the current configuration:
lte config show
Query the LTE registration state:
lte state
Read the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) of the SIM card. This works even when CHESTER is not attached to a network:
lte imsi
Read the ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier):
lte iccid
Read the device IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity):
lte imei
If the device does not reach a registered state, continue with Diagnostics and Troubleshooting.