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How to integrate the Onomondo SoftSIM with the nRF93M1 LACA from Nordic Semiconductor

This guide provides a walkthrough of how to set up Onomondo SoftSIM on a nRF93M1 from Nordic Semiconductor.

Written by Jakub Kubinski

Important:

  • ✅ nRF93M1 LACA variant supports SoftSIM.

  • ❌ nRF93M1 LABA variant does not support SoftSIM.

Technical requirements:

  • Nordic Semiconductor nRF93M1 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.

This guide shows how to activate Onomondo SoftSIM on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF93M1 attached to your own development board.
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💡 For nRF93M1-DK evaluation kit - see this dedicated guide.

Setup guide

  1. Initialize the module.


    On your own board, connect to the module's UART.

  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. Fetch SoftSIM profile(s).


    SoftSIM profiles are issued to you by Onomondo. Once you have profiles assigned to your account, you can fetch them using the SoftSIM CLI tool. The README walks through the necessary steps. The CLI prints the profile as a hex string.
    ​

  4. Load the profile.

    Set the modem to minimum functionality mode.

    AT+CFUN=0


    Set SoftSIM as default and provision the profile.

    AT%SIMCFG="SoftSim",1 
    AT%SOFTSIMPROVISION="<SoftSIM profile>"

    Use straight quotes ("), not curly quotes (“ ”). Some editors swap them when you paste.

  5. Enable SoftSIM
    ​
    Make sure the modem is (still) set 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 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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