LTE network provisioning¶

Overview¶

LTE provisioning covers configuring the APN so the gateway can use cellular backhaul. LTE CAT-M1 is a property of the mobile network, not the SIM — any SIM works as long as your operator supports CAT-M1 in the deployment area.

Prerequisites¶

A 3FF (micro-SIM) with an active data plan
A network operator that supports LTE CAT-M1 where the gateway is deployed
A data plan sized for the gateway's typical monthly usage (see below)
The SIM card installed in the gateway — see Install the SIM card
LTE antenna connected (if included)
Gateway powered on
Access to the Gateway UI

Typical cellular data use depends on the LoRaWAN forwarding mode you provision:

Forwarding mode	Typical data per month
UDP packet forwarder	300–450 MB
Basic Station	400–600 MB

Actual usage varies with traffic volume and the number of connected devices.

Set the APN¶

After the SIM is installed, set the APN (Access Point Name) so the gateway can register on the LTE network. The APN is in your provider's documentation or supplied with the SIM.

In the Gateway UI, open Settings → Backhaul.
Enter your provider's APN in the APN field.
Select Save Changes.

The gateway applies the new APN and registers on the LTE network.

Connection profile¶

LTE use is governed by the connection profile at Settings → Backhaul → Profile:

LTE-preferred-with-initial-WIFI (default) — try WiFi briefly at boot, then use LTE.
WIFI-only — keep the modem off and use WiFi only.

See Connecting to the gateway for how WiFi and LTE switching works.

Force LTE¶

To make the gateway switch to LTE right away — without waiting through the initial-WiFi phase — select Force LTE in the Settings action bar. It blocks WiFi so the gateway falls back to LTE, which is a quick way to confirm that cellular backhaul works.

Force LTE is only available when the saved profile is LTE-preferred-with-initial-WIFI. On the WIFI-only profile the button is disabled.
After you confirm, the gateway blocks WiFi and uses LTE if it is available.
The WiFi block is not permanent — reboot the gateway to restore the normal WiFi-then-LTE behavior.

Force LTE blocks WiFi

While WiFi is blocked you may lose access to the Gateway UI over WiFi. If LTE does not come up, use remote access, or reboot the gateway to bring WiFi back.

Troubleshooting¶

If the gateway cannot establish an LTE connection despite a correctly installed SIM and APN, see LTE connection failure for how to recover the modem with modem-tools.

Next steps¶

Install the gateway at your deployment site
Test connectivity and monitor gateway performance through your network server