Cellular?
- Thread starter wp9764
- Start date
Same, no idea, @MINIX - Alex @MINIX - Eric @MINIX - Martin @MINIX - Nick is there a trick to get cellular active on this machine?
MINIX - Alex
Staff member
Yes, a 4G LTE M.2 card is required.
Only insert the sim card, and will not receive any mobile network signals. It needs to be used with 4G module. And you need to install the driver of the 4G module you purchased.
Please note: You can purchased a 4G antenna (built-in) to stick inside the box.
You can also use the original Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas on the 4G module. However, it will weaken the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.
Only insert the sim card, and will not receive any mobile network signals. It needs to be used with 4G module. And you need to install the driver of the 4G module you purchased.
Please note: You can purchased a 4G antenna (built-in) to stick inside the box.
You can also use the original Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas on the 4G module. However, it will weaken the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.
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is there any set of known-compatible 4G modules for different carriers or regions (e.g., the United States?) and/or where we can order them from? I've tried a replacement card from Amazon, and it seems to find drivers, etc, but it then says "Insert SIM" in Windows 11 despite their being a SIM card installed (I suspect that the 4G card I have may be 'locked' to another network.)
MINIX - Alex
Staff member
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I have the same issue now after finding a card and installing. Ive been using verizon and have tried multiple IMEI/plans. Im about to give up. The LTE cards Alex mentioned are unattainable from my searching. If anyone else finds one of those known working cards let me know!
MINIX - Martin
Previous MINIX Staff
To use cellular network, you'll need to install SIM card, 4G module and it's driver.
See the installation instructions here:
https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/ngc-5-installation-instructions-of-the-4g-module.4224/
See the installation instructions here:
https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/ngc-5-installation-instructions-of-the-4g-module.4224/
Thanks for the instructions!
I did all those steps with a Sierra Wireless EM7455-based card, but Windows 11 wouldn't find my T-mobile US SIM card (Windows would say "Insert SIM").
Ultimately I tried a separate USB3->M.2 KEYB w/ SIM slot enclosure, and that *could* find my SIM card (though then I couldn't get any signal even with antennas hooked up, so that was the next issue) I kind of gave up.. anyways the core issue I couldn't seem to resolve with the NGC-5 was having the SIM card detected, unfortunately.
I did all those steps with a Sierra Wireless EM7455-based card, but Windows 11 wouldn't find my T-mobile US SIM card (Windows would say "Insert SIM").
Ultimately I tried a separate USB3->M.2 KEYB w/ SIM slot enclosure, and that *could* find my SIM card (though then I couldn't get any signal even with antennas hooked up, so that was the next issue) I kind of gave up.. anyways the core issue I couldn't seem to resolve with the NGC-5 was having the SIM card detected, unfortunately.
I posted this under the 4G tutorial post but I think it's better to post it here as well.... I hope this could help anyone in the future to avoid the Fibocom L850-GL module, I bought it for my MINIX NGC-5 i5 8th generation, it was detected correctly under Windows and Ubuntu but the modem wasn't able to see the SIM card (I tried multiple SIM cards, always stuck at Insert SIM card)... I even tried to cover the PCIe pins with electrical tape to force the modem to go in USB mode just like the default mode for HUAWEI ME906s-158. I wish I found this page before buying the Fibocom which is CAT9 and tempting to any IT guy for the extra speed and features... I checked datasheets for both the Fibocom and the HUAWEI ME906s-158 to compare and figure out the difference... If anyone knows what I was missing please let me know, I did check the BIOS (with advanced mode on, but couldn't find any option for the M.2 KEY B... I'm open to modifying the hardware if I have to (running a jump wire etc...) Thanks!
Did you ever figure out the issue? I'm having the same problem and about to order the USB adapter just to double check the Fibocom module and make sure it is working as expected...
Alright, more updates on this, I ordered and tested the HUAWEI ME906s-158, it worked as expected, both cards (fibocom l850-GL and HUAWEI ME906s-158) are using USB mode, can't figure out why the SIM card is not detected for the Fibocom card, and both cards are working fine using the M.2 to USB adapter. This clearly related to the wiring between the SIM card and the M.2... Can someone from Minix please send me the SIM slot schematics. Thank you!