Registration denied on Lebara Sim

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

I have had no problem setting up openwrt on a 5105, using modem manager with a em06-e, with a smarty sim.

I also tried a Lebara sim which worked fine for a while but then refused to connect:

root@OpenWrt:~# qmicli -d /dev/cdc-wdm0 -p --nas-get-serving-system

[/dev/cdc-wdm0] Successfully got serving system:
	Registration state: 'registration-denied'
	CS: 'detached'
	PS: 'detached'
	Selected network: '3gpp'
	Radio interfaces: '1'
		[0]: 'lte'
	Roaming status: 'on'
	Data service capabilities: '0'
	Current PLMN:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '30'
		Description: ''
	Roaming indicators: '1'
		[0]: 'on' (lte)
	Detailed status:
		Status: 'limited'
		Capability: 'cs-ps'
		HDR Status: 'none'
		HDR Hybrid: 'no'
		Forbidden: 'yes'
	Full operator code info:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '30'
		MNC with PCS digit: 'no'

I have tried various APN settings and DNS servers with no luck.

Lebara say the sim should work in a modem.

If I put the Lebara sim into a TL-MR6400 running stock firmware it works fine.

If I put the Lebara sim into a TL-MR6400 running openwrt 23.05 using qmi it makes a connection but no data is available.

I have previously used the SMARTY sim in the TL-MR6400 running openwrt without any problems.

Given the Lebara sim works fine in the TL-MR6400 running stock firmware, it feels like there is something I should be able to do to get it too work on the openwrt 23.05 on the 5105 with a EM06-e.

Does anyone have any experience with Lebra or any ideas ? Its not a huge issue as I will be using smarty, I just want to understand why the Lebara sim works in one modem but not the one (EM06-e) with openwrt.

2

Hi

Sounds like an APN issue.
I had same issue with quectel ec25 modem and meo isp. And other users from Italy or Germany encounter same issue. Our solution, contacting quectel support and request to downgrade EC25 firmware ( not an openwrt related firmware ), as newer releases have some issues with sending apn to the isp.
Same as my SXT-lte6 with EP06-E, in this case 2 lines of settings solve the issue.

3

Thank you, its just strange it worked for a couple of days.

4

The modem is has roamed to another carrier which is not included in your SIM's subscription. This usually means that there is no signal available from the preferred carrier.

5

Hi
As @mk24 noticed on router logs that could be an issue for your lack of registration.
On another hand, as you said " If I put the Lebara sim into a TL-MR6400 running stock firmware it works fine." that point me to APN issue as I got.

Over routerOS with mikrotik, I use this config:

/interface lte apn add apn=internet use-network-apn=no
/interface lte set lte1 apn-profiles=internet_p1

What is means, forcing the routerOS to send APN def. not negotiating the APN from isp.

6

Thank you both. I had some success by repositioning the antenna, and getting a connection as below, noting roaming is off. I clearly have more reading to understand how I can disallow roaming as one avenue to explore.

There is still something to understand as the stock firmware on a TL-MR6400 obtains a connection with ease, even with the poor signal.

[/dev/cdc-wdm0] Successfully got serving system:
	Registration state: 'registered'
	CS: 'attached'
	PS: 'attached'
	Selected network: '3gpp'
	Radio interfaces: '1'
		[0]: 'lte'
	Roaming status: 'off'
	Data service capabilities: '1'
		[0]: 'lte'
	Current PLMN:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '15'
		Description: 'Lebara'
	Roaming indicators: '1'
		[0]: 'off' (lte)
	3GPP location area code: '65534'
	3GPP cell ID: '133654804'
	Detailed status:
		Status: 'available'
		Capability: 'cs-ps'
		HDR Status: 'none'
		HDR Hybrid: 'no'
		Forbidden: 'no'
	LTE tracking area code: '41084'
	Full operator code info:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '15'
		MNC with PCS digit: 'no'
7

Use any dumb terminal like picocom and configure the APN on the modem with AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","your APN name"

Use AT+QMBNCFG="List" to check if any MBN profile is enabled.
In most cases it is safe to disable autoselection:

AT+QMBNCFG="AutoSel",0
AT+QMBNCFG="Deactivate"
AT+CFUN=1,1
8

Hi.
Glad for you to hear that.
Roaming is needed when your sim operator use another carrier operator for its own service. Like lycamobile, etc. It's a MVNO operator. Pretty sure Lebara is.
Or if you move to another country and use a provider from your own country.

9

Thank you both again for your help.

Today when I tried using the same settings as yesterday, absolutely no internet available with the Lebara sim - denied registration message.

Yes Lebara uses the Vodafone network, thank for the context of roaming in respect of primary provider Vodafone and the Lebara branded sim issued.

Further testing:

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","uk.lebara.mobi"

AT+QMBNCFG="AutoSel",0
AT+QMBNCFG="Deactivate"
AT+CFUN=1,1

After rebooting:

at+cgdcont?

+CGDCONT: 4,"IPV4V6","uk.lebara.mobi","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

However:

	Registration state: 'registration-denied'
	CS: 'detached'
	PS: 'detached'
	Selected network: '3gpp'
	Radio interfaces: '1'
		[0]: 'lte'
	Roaming status: 'on'
	Data service capabilities: '0'
	Current PLMN:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '30'
		Description: ''
	Roaming indicators: '1'
		[0]: 'on' (lte)
	Detailed status:
		Status: 'limited'
		Capability: 'cs-ps'
		HDR Status: 'none'
		HDR Hybrid: 'no'
		Forbidden: 'yes'
	Full operator code info:
		MCC: '234'
		MNC: '30'
		MNC with PCS digit: 'no'

My thinking is, that despite being advised by Lebara this sim should work in a router as well as my phone, the network operator Vodafone, is limiting / disabling access in someway.

It would be great if I was wrong, and any I would be happy to test further.

I enabled auto selection, put the smarty sim (three.co.uk network), back in and all worked first time.

10

Again the most likely explanation for this is that you are in an area with a weak or no vodaphone (MCC 234 MNC 15) signal. The SIM will program the modem to strongly prefer the home carrier versus roaming.

Roaming exists mostly for mobile phones so even if out of subscribed coverage they will always attempt to tune in some cell network so that a user can call emergency numbers.

11

This is EE, 'registration-denied' is the expected result.
Try moving to a better location and check with

AT+QENG="servingcell"
AT+QENG="neighbourcell"

Also make sure you have all the bands enabled.

12

Thank you all for the feedback, it helps me keep an open mind.

I do live in a rural area in the Scottish Highlands - I am in line of site of the Vodafone mast, and the Three mast is closer but I haven't found the exact location yet. When I did have a connection with Lebara yesterday the signal strength in openwrt was 50%, I did run qmicli -d /dev/cdc-wdm0 -p --nas-get-signal-strength, I didn't write them down, they were only a slightly weaker than the three values.

I will try with directional antennas in the loft, and if that fails I will at some point rig up a regulated power supply and drive closer to the Vodafone mast and test.

I do appreciate the input and although not essential it would nice to get a full understanding.

13

AT+QENG="servingcell" first then cellmapper.net

14

hi.

Should help.
Not 100% accurate. But a good start.

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=234&MNC=15&type=LTE&latitude=54.88090005183713&longitude=2.3795671614610985&zoom=5.292145000392908&showTowers=true&showIcons=true&showTowerLabels=true&clusterEnabled=true&tilesEnabled=true&showOrphans=false&showNoFrequencyOnly=false&showFrequencyOnly=false&showBandwidthOnly=false&DateFilterType=Last&showHex=false&showVerifiedOnly=false&showUnverifiedOnly=false&showLTECAOnly=false&showENDCOnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=true&mapType=roadmap&darkMode=false&imperialUnits=false

1 Like
15

Thank you again for all the responses.

I established that the modem (Quectel em06-e) worked with a windows laptop connected via usb.

With the Smarty sim inserted at home, windows picked up an internet connection easily.

Needles to say no joy with the Lebara sim.

I drove to what I believe is the location of the Vodafone tower 522089.

I conducted various tests there ensuring all bands were specified available

AT+QCFG="band",8d0,1a1880800d5,0

I tried numerous times with various APN settings but could not get a connection:

AT+QENG="servingcell"
+QENG: "servingcell","NOCONN","LTE","FDD",234,15,7F7690A,385,6300,20,3,3,A07C,-103,-13,-72,11,25


AT+QENG="neighbourcell"
+QENG: "neighbourcell intra","LTE",6300,385,-11,-103,-76,0,24,4,8,4,62
+QENG: "neighbourcell intra","LTE",6300,384,-14,-106,-82,0,18,4,8,4,62
+QENG: "neighbourcell intra","LTE",6300,492,-13,-112,-88,0,11,4,8,4,62
+QENG: "neighbourcell inter","LTE",2850,-,-,-,-,-,24,0,12,6,-,-,-,-

I tried disabling the auto connection:

at+cgdcont?
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","","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
+CGDCONT: 4,"IPV4V6","uk.lebara.mobi","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

OK
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","uk.lebara.mobi"
OK
AT+QMBNCFG="AutoSel",0
OK
AT+QMBNCFG="Deactivate"


at+cgdcont?
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 4,"IPV4V6","uk.lebara.mobi","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

OK

I am struggeling with the reason for the problem being down to signal availability.

I pressed Lebara help team and all they repeat is that if the modem has been working you should put the sim back in the phone check the apn and put back in the router.

I have done this many times, I have noticed that it uses the vodafone APN in the phone, and I do try using that APN

When I got back home I tried again with the Lebara sim on the x86 router installation, and to my surprise it connected, but the openwrt interface did not become active.

I deleted and added the interface and was able to get a working connection, as it happens with the Vodafone APN:

[/dev/cdc-wdm0] Successfully got serving system:
        Registration state: 'registered'
        CS: 'attached'
        PS: 'attached'
        Selected network: '3gpp'
        Radio interfaces: '1'
                [0]: 'lte'
        Roaming status: 'off'
        Data service capabilities: '1'
                [0]: 'lte'
        Current PLMN:
                MCC: '234'
                MNC: '15'
                Description: 'Lebara'
        Roaming indicators: '1'
                [0]: 'off' (lte)
        3GPP location area code: '65534'
        3GPP cell ID: '133654804'
        Detailed status:
                Status: 'available'
                Capability: 'cs-ps'
                HDR Status: 'none'
                HDR Hybrid: 'no'
                Forbidden: 'no'
        LTE tracking area code: '41084'
        Full operator code info:
                MCC: '234'
                MNC: '15'
                MNC with PCS digit: 'no'

This is presently a test system and so I plan to leave it to see if it retains a connection.

When I mentioned I could not find the smarty tower (three infratructure eNB 12409), I meant the exact location as in being able to see it. I have used cell mapper to get the approximate area and have walked in the woods trying to find it with Network Cell Info App. It has still evaded detection despite finding very strong signals.

As I am sure you understand its just very frustrating not to get to the bottom of the Lebara sim card registration.

16

Hi.

I was "playing" with my sxt and AT codes, I was trying to scan all network available at my location with AT command because of Mikrotik lack of scan with winbox. I found this:

https://forums.quectel.com/t/continue-network-scan-for-other-network-after-registration-fails-bg96/18367/3

Post 4 and bellow, how to lock to a specific provider.

17

Thank you for coming back on this, when I went out in the car I did try locking to a specific tower without success.

Since my successful connection I have been able to reboot, stop and start the interface without issue.

I am not using the APN settings of Lebara but those of the primary network provider Vodafone as shown in the image bellow.

I shall keep testing over the next week to establish this is a working configuration and then I may try swapping sims and APN's to see if that breaks anything.

Present and working interface configuration:

APNsettings
APNsettings732×585 52.7 KB