Re: Network manager configuration to connect only to a 3G/HSPA network

[Dan Williams <dcbw redhat com>]

On Thu, 2009-10-15 at 22:58 +0100, Richard Braddock wrote:
> Hi Vinicius,
> 
> Instructing the modem to prefer one particular type of network (i.e. a
> HSPA/UMTS one instead of one using GPRS/GSM) is probably a common
> query. You can probe what the modem is set to prefer various modes
> using an AT command, but as seems to be the case with every single
> damn WWAN adapter manufacturer, standardisation is a concept long
> since abandoned.
> 
> Novatel I believe use AT$NWRAT? while Option have AT_OPSYS. I think
> from memory most Huawei stuff uses AT^SYSCFG.

Correct.  It's maddening.

> In fact, as I write I remember now this is something that gets Dan
> Williams understandably irate and he did blog about it at one point.

That would be:



> I found this interesting series of messages on this very list that
> pertain to your issue. It seems that maybe NM do implement this
> behavioural choice but it's hidden. The thread is here -
> http://www.nabble.com/UMTS-Vs.-GSM-Vs.-GPRS-td18632471.html
> 
> If it scrubs that then just search for "Re: UMTS Vs. GSM Vs. GPRS".
> Also on the thread is a full list from André Lemos of the AT^SYSCFG
> commands that work for his E220.
> 
> I know some frontends like HSOconnect, Vodafone Mobile Connect (and by
> extension maybe Wader) have options to prefer or insist on 2G or 3G
> networks so you can set this behaviour with the minimum of hassle but
> I'm really not sure if this concept is easily configurable with NM
> through either that hidden GUI menu or a config file. I'm sure one of
> the developers can give you more insight.

The core infrastructure is there, but we need to (a) implement the
different commands in ModemManager for each modem type, which is
actually pretty simple to do, but there hasn't been time to do it yet,
and (b) enable the dropdown in nm-connection-editor; it's currently
hidden.

It would take maybe an hour or two to get it working for one modem type,
and probably a bit longer for the rest.  Any takers?

Dan