Quectel EC2x/EG9x/EG2x-G Series Software Configuration for AT&T Data-only Guide

About the Document

Revision History

Contents

Table Index:

• Table 1: Applicable Modules
• Table 2: Data + Voice and Data-only Modules
• Table 3: Related Documents
• Table 4: Terms and Abbreviations

1. Introduction

This document introduces how to switch from Quectel Data + Voice modules to Data-only modules through software configuration, as AT&T requires devices certified as Data-only to use modules certified as Data-only. This helps users optimize operations for AT&T technology approval test requirements and increase certification speed.

1.1. Applicable Modules

1.2. Data + Voice and Data-only Modules

The following table shows the Data + Voice and Data-only modules for EC2x, EG9x, and EG2x-G series. The Data + Voice modules can be switched to Data-only modules via software configuration described in Chapter 3. The Data-only modules are for reference.

2. Background

This chapter introduces AT&T's requirements for Data-only devices, including AT&T 13340 V21.1 configuration requirements.

CDR-IOT-180: Data Only module and device configuration
Summary: Cat 1 and above Data Only (DO) modules and devices must operate in CS/PS mode 2 (3GPP TS 24.301, section 4.3.1) and perform combined EPS/IMSI Attach & TAU with the Additional Update Type set to "SMS only" (3GPP TS 24.301, section 9.9.3.0B). Per 3GPP TS 24.301, sections 8.2.4.13 and 8.2.29.19, UE Usage and Voice Domain Reference Information Elements (IEs) are omitted for a data-only product.

CDR-LTE-1112: SMS Only Indication
Summary: Devices supporting SMS over SGs but NOT CSFB for voice must provide the "SMS Only" indication during the combined attach response for correct network handling. As per 3GPP 23.272 section 5.6, UEs needing SMS service without CSFB indicate this condition with the 'SMS-only' indication in the EPS/IMSI Attach Request and combined TA/LA update procedures.

CDR-CDS-042: APN for 4G Data Devices
Summary: 4G data-only devices must use "broadband" as the default APN when an AT&T SIM is detected.

CDR-CDS-045: APN for Data Devices - FirstNet SIM
Summary: When a FirstNet SIM is detected (as per CDR-SMCD-2102), the data-centric device must use "firstnet-broadband" as the default APN.

Figure 1: Background of AT&T Requirements for Data-only Devices

3. Software Configuration

This chapter details the software configuration steps for EC2x, EG9x, and EG2x-G modules to switch from Data + Voice to Data-only.

3.1. Disable Voice and ECC

Execute the following AT commands to disable voice and ECC:

AT+QNVW=5280,0,"0102000000000000" //Disable voice and ECC.
OK
AT+QNVR=5280,0 //Query current configuration.
+QNVR: "0102000000000000"
OK

3.2. Configure Ue_Usage_Setting

Execute the following AT commands to configure Ue_Usage_Setting to Data Centric as required by AT&T:

AT+QNVFW="/nv/item_files/modem/mmode/ue_usage_setting",01 //Configure Ue_Usage_Setting as data centric.
OK
AT+QNVFR="/nv/item_files/modem/mmode/ue_usage_setting" //Query current configuration.
+QNVFR: 01
OK

3.3. Disable IMS

Execute the following AT commands to disable IMS:

AT+QNVFW="/nv/item_files/ims/IMS_enable",00 //Disable IMS.
OK
AT+QNVFR="/nv/item_files/ims/IMS_enable" //Query current configuration.
+QNVFR: 00
OK

3.4. Configure UE to SMS Only

Execute the following AT commands to configure the UE to SMS only, according to AT&T Data-only device requirements:

AT+QNVFW="/nv/item_files/modem/mmode/sms_only",01 //Configure the UE as SMS Only.
OK
AT+QNVFR="/nv/item_files/modem/mmode/sms_only" //Query current configuration.
+QNVFR: 01
OK

3.5. Configure First APN

Execute the following AT commands to configure the first APN. Refer to document [1] for details.

3.5.1. Configure the First APN to broadband

If the AT&T carrier (U)SIM card is inserted, execute the following commands to configure the APN name:

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IPV4V6","broadband" //Set the first APN to AT&T's default Data-only APN "broadband". If there is a customized APN, please ignore this step.
OK
AT+CGDCONT? //Query current configuration.

+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","broadband","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 2,"IPV4V6","ims","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 3,"IPV4V6","SOS","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,1 OK

3.5.2. Configure the First APN to firstnet-broadband

If an AT&T FirstNet SIM card is inserted, execute the following commands:

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IPV4V6","firstnet-broadband" //Set the first APN to AT&T FirstNet's default Data-only APN "firstnet-broadband". If there is a customized APN, please ignore this step.
OK
AT+CGDCONT? //Query current configuration.
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","firstnet-broadband","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

+CGDCONT: 2,"IPV4V6","ims","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

+CGDCONT: 3,"IPV4V6","SOS","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,1
OK

3.6. Reboot the Module

Manually reboot the module to apply the configuration changes.

NOTE: Every time the (U)SIM card is switched between carriers (e.g., AT&T to FirstNet or vice versa), reconfigure the module software as Data-only according to this chapter's description.

4. Appendix References

Table 3: Related Documents

Table 4: Terms and Abbreviations