Configuring the Access Point Name (APN) and carrier settings

An APN is a gateway from your carrier's cellular network to another network, in most cases the Internet (or by special arrangement with your carrier, your private corporate network).

Generally speaking, the APN you configure determines the IP address that your Opengear device is assigned.

In most cases, to configure your cellular modem to connect to your carrier the only information required is the APN and sometimes a username and password – all other fields may be left at their defaults.

Verizon

A notable exception is that Verizon customers generally do not need to enter an APN and should leave the APN field blank.

The APN will be automatically programmed.  Verizon customers should only specify an APN if advised to do so by Verizon or Opengear support.

Configuring carrier settings

When you purchase your cellular plan, your carrier will provide you with various settings.  These settings vary by carrier and plan and may include:

• APN
• Username & password
• PIN code
• In some cases, a phone number – Depending on the Plan this number could be used to enhance your OOB experience via SMS.
• In rare cases, AT initialization commands

Basic instructions for applying these settings follow, for full instructions please refer to your Opengear model's Quick Start Guide.

• Login to the Opengear web UI as root or an admin user
• Click System -> Dial -> Internal Cellular Modem
• Select Enable Dial-out
• If prompted, select the appropriate SIM Slot (see the Quick Start Guide for details)
• If prompted, enter your PIN Code and unlock the SIM
  
• Note that three incorrect attempts may further lock the SIM, requiring a PUK code from your carrier to unlock
• Enter an APN
• Verizon customers should leave this blank
  
• If supplied by your carrier, enter a Username and Password/Confirm
• You may choose to Override and set preferred DNS Servers, e.g.
• Corporate DNS servers for internal name resolution
• Public DNS servers such as 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 if your carrier does not allow DNS access form outside of their network, i.e. during fail forward
• Unless specifically required, leave all other settings at their defaults
  
• Scroll down and Apply Modem Dial Settings
  

Next, refer the article on setting the right mode for your cellular modem connection to complete setup.

Note that if regularly idle, long-lived cellular connections (particularly Always-On OOB, Dormant Failover and IP Passthrough modes) will generally need the cellular Modem Watchdog enabled to ensure availability.

Example settings by carrier

Comprehensive lists of major carriers and their settings can be found online, e.g.:

• https://mobilebroadbandprovider.info/

Find several common settings below, however, please check with your carrier for the most up-to-date settings.

• Opengear Connectivity Services
  • APN: 35367.mcs
  • Username:
  • Password:

• AT&T (USA)
  • APN: broadband
  • Username:
  • Password:

• T-Mobile (USA)
  • APN: epc.tmobile.com
  • Username:
  • Password:
  • If using cellular watchdog, use period = 1680 seconds (28 minutes)

• Verizon 4G (USA) – see note above regarding APN
  • APN: vzwinternet
  • Username:
  • Password:
    
    
• Infisim (UK and Global)
  provides private and static IP address. https://www.infisim.com/connectme
  
  
• Internode (Australia)
  • APN: internode
  • Username:
  • Password:
    
    
• Optus (Australia)
  • There are various APN available
  • APN: connect connectme yesinternet yesbusiness
• Telstra (Australia)
  • APN: telstra.internet
  • Username:
  • Password:
    
    
• Rogers (Canada)
  • APN: internet.com
  • Username: wapuser1
  • Password: wap
    
    
• Three (UK) – public IP address on a mobile broadband (not handset) plan
  • APN: 3internet
  • Username:
  • Password: