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How to enable the Onomondo SoftSIM on the nRF93M1-DK evaluation kit from Nordic Semiconductor

This guide provides a walkthrough of how to activate Onomondo SoftSIM on a nRF93M1-DK from Nordic Semiconductor.

Written by Jakub Kubinski

Important:

  • This guide is specific to nRF93M1-DK evaluation kit.

  • ✅ nRF93M1-DK LACA variant supports SoftSIM.

  • ❌ nRF93M1-DK LABA variant does not support SoftSIM.

Technical requirements:

  • Nordic Semiconductor nRF93M1-DK LACA

  • modem firmware version 2.1.0 or newer

Useful links:

Introduction

The Onomondo SoftSIM is a next-generation software-based SIM solution that enables cellular connectivity through Onomondo's global network while eliminating the need for a physical SIM card.

The nRF93M1-DK LACA variant comes with SoftSIM enabled and pre-provisioned with keys. You only need to select SoftSIM as the default SIM and activate the modem.

⚠️ Make the most out of your SoftSIM

With the nRF93M1-DK evaluation kit, your SoftSIM is already "inside" the module and ready to use out-of-the-box. However, you only get 10 MB of data to start with. Register your SoftSIM and Nordic Dev Kit with Onomondo to get additional 40 MB and access to SIM management tools via the Onomondo app.

It's free to sign up.

  1. Go to Nordic Dev Kit sign-up page.

  2. Fill out the form and provide us with the device IMEI / SIM ID.

  3. Click on "Start testing".

  4. Wait for a confirmation email.

  5. Log in to the Onomondo app.

  6. Check if you can see your SoftSIM profile on your account.

Your SoftSIM profile should appear in the Onomondo app within 72 hours of sign-up. If that's not the case - contact [email protected].

Setup guide

Enabling SoftSIM on a nRF93M1-DK is a one-time configuration step. SIM configuration settings can only be changed while the modem is in minimum functionality mode (CFUN=0). The modem starts in this mode after a power cycle (by default).

  1. Initialize the module.


    Connect the nRF93M1-DK to your computer via USB and open a serial terminal of your choice (115200 baud rate).

  2. Check firmware version.


    Issue AT+CGMR command to verify FW version. Version 2.1.0 or newer is required.

    >AT+CGMR
    mfw_nrf91m1_2.1.0

  3. Configure SoftSIM as the default SIM.
    ​
    Set the modem to minimum functionality mode.

    >AT+CFUN=0


    Set SoftSIM as default SIM.

    >AT%SIMCFG="SoftSim",1


    After enabling, CFUN=1 puts the modem in full functionality mode.

    >AT+CFUN=1

    To verify SoftSIM is active, check the ICCID of the Onomondo profile. 

    >AT%XICCID
    %XICCID: 8901234567012345678F

That's it! Your SoftSIM is enabled. Your nRF93M1-DK should automatically attach to one of the local cellular networks.

Make sure to set the APN to "onomondo" (all lower-case) to establish a data connection.

Monitoring and management

Now that your device is online, it's time to continue testing.

  1. Log into the Onomondo app.

  2. Go to SIMs page.

  3. Search for your SoftSIM's ICCID.

  4. Open the individual SIM page to manage and monitor your SIM.

With the Onomondo platform, you have the advantage of diving deep into the SIM's connection details using features like Network Logs, Traffic Monitor, and Signaling Logs.

Please note that, by default, your SoftSIM is active in your Onomondo account and attached to a global network list.

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