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    3G/LTE modem configuration failure (Sierra Wireless MC7700)

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Wireless
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    • K
      keleathi
      last edited by

      I finally got the SIM adapter for the windows machine, and Sierra Watcher is reporting "incorrect SIM" which apparently means that the card is carrier locked.  I bought it "new" and "unlocked" from a vendor on Amazon; I've requested the MEP unlock code from them and will return it and buy a new one from a more reputable vendor if no code is forthcoming (it's what I get for trying to save $15).

      On the windows machine, the AT commands you suggested all returned valid data; the only item that was different was that I had the 9200 version firmware instead of 9300.  I actually had flashed new firmware as your previous post suggested, but the link I used was:  http://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/#tags=MC7700|Firmwares+%26+drivers which doesn't show anything newer than 9200.

      That said, the AT!UDINFO? returned data.

      Thank you so much for diving into this; I apologize I hadn't done the legwork to make sure it worked with their software first.

      One more thing:  do you happen to know the difference between an APN of "broadband" and one of "pta"?  My phone lists both, but pta is selected; the label on pta is "ATT LTE".

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      • ?
        Guest
        last edited by

        That SW9300 ref was a typo i decided to keep to see if you would catch it!!! Good Catch. Mine is from 12-2014 date.

        The APN differences seem to be speed. Test yours and see. They seem lenient on devices but i believe that it is the proper APN for data card devices.

        So you think the device is locked?? I am more questioning your SIM card validity.

        I have never seen a locked MC7700, they were first in breed for LTE and uptake was low. Very few notebooks used them. Mostly Lenovo/IBM and embedded..Panasonic toughbooks optional too.

        I know of no carrier that offered the MC7700 in a device, let alone locked. Chinese sell them as unlocked as they have no idea.

        Edit: Rereading you post it is the SIM. I don't think you can use a phone SIM interchangeably with data devices. They are lenient on data device to data device transfer, but not from phone to data device swapage. Just my .02 cents.ymmv..

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        • ?
          Guest
          last edited by

          Quick and dirty way to check:
          Head to Walmart and get Straight Talk <tablet kit="">with sim and 1 gig data card. 25 bucks…LTE may be spottier than ATT but it works.. That or query att about data sim.
          Comes with mini and micro sims for ATT and Tmobile.</tablet>

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          • K
            keleathi
            last edited by

            I took your advice and got a StraightTalk data SIM from Walmart as I figured $25 to get to the bottom of this would be well worth it.

            It reports "Incorrect SIM" in the watcher as well.  So at this point, I think I have to assume the card itself is locked/problematic.

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            • ?
              Guest
              last edited by

              I have bought around a dozen of these modules off ebay and have not found a locked one yet. That is really strange..I was unaware there were locked versions…So you think it is carrier locked? I wonder what carrier. They are only a GSM module so in the US that is ATT or Tmobile, Right? Did you try the Tmobile SIM as well? You can swap cards activation on the StraightTalk site..

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              • K
                keleathi
                last edited by

                So I found some more AT commands that would tell me if it's locked:  AT!CUSTOM?.

                It was set to "Japan" as the region, but that's not supposed to do anything serious, and it's actually not MEP locked.  It just doesn't see the SIM at all; anything that involves accessing the SIM returns "ERROR".

                I'm sending it back for a replacement.  When I get the new one in a couple of weeks I'll try all this again.

                Thank you!

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                • ?
                  Guest
                  last edited by

                  I am sorry you are having such problems..I was wondering in my head if the adapter SIM slot might be bad…

                  Here is a link for recalibration procedures for the modem.

                  https://forum.sierrawireless.com//viewtopic.php?f=117&t=8702

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                  • ?
                    Guest
                    last edited by

                    Well since you have the Straighttalk SIM kit have you tried using them in the APU to rule out bad sim socket on your usb adapter? Have you isolated the problem? What is MEB lock? I am unfamiliar with that term. Like I said earlier, I bought over a dozen modules off ebay and none were locked… What are the first 4 digits of your IMEI# ? Mine were all 0126 except one.

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                    • ?
                      Guest
                      last edited by

                      I thought this was only for the USB devices, but who knows. AC340U comes to mind(ATT-Beam)

                      http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22903/~/why-is-my-netgear-aircard-modem-locked%3F

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                      • C
                        canhtuongvinh
                        last edited by

                        hi, i'm planning to buy Sierra MC7700 to my newly built pfsense 2.5.2, does this module still working properly?
                        Thanks.

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                        • K
                          konmoxely34r
                          last edited by

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