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@reolink-oskar from the link, "The included SIM card auto-selects the strongest 4G network". So subscription is to Camovue, not the carrier of your choosing? There are some handheld radio companies moving to a direct subscription model vs carrier-based.
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@chopstix Let me give some details on SIM.
Every mobile operator orders SIM cards from SIM manufacturers. Each SIM comprises an identifier ICCID, IMSI and the authentication key Ki amongst other parameters and applets.
The Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID), an identifier of the actual SIM card chip itself. ICCIDs are also used to identify embedded SIM (eSIM) profiles. This ID can be up to 23 digits long, including a check digit calculated using the Luhn algorithm.
The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) identifies SIM cards uniquely by their individual operator in a cellular network. The IMSI is stored as a 64-bit field and is communicated to the connected cellular network. In the core of a mobile operator network, the IMSI is used as main identification for obtaining further customer and device specific data.
All SIM cards contain cryptographic keys. The secret authentication key called Ki is unique and is stored on the ROM, a protected area of the SIM. The Ki is never exchanged between the mobile device and the network. Its purpose is to derive sub-keys that perform the necessary authentication procedures when a mobile device tries to join a carrier’s network. The Ki is also stored on the carrier’s network within a component called the Home Location Register HLR or lately with the introduction of 4G and IMS this is being referred to Home Subscriber Subsystem (HSS). The Ki is only known by the SIM manufacturer and a few persons handling the HLR programming. The IMSI and the Ki have to be inserted in each subscription.
So when you switch on the camera or smartphone, there is the IMSI attach whereby the mobile will forward the IMSI to the Radio access network (BTS for 2G, NodeB for 3G, eNodeB for 4G) and from the RAN to the MSC (for calls) and SGSN (3G data) or MME (4G data). This IMSI attach message will end up in the HLR which shall authenticate the SIM. So if the IMSI is defined on the HSS then the IMSI attach procedure will continue otherwise it will be rejected. And an IMSI can only belong to a mobile operator. Thence to connect to another mobile operator you need another SIM card which has different IMSI identifier. The MCC is the same but the MNC and SN will be different.
I hope that Reolink should start to add eSIM where there is no longer the need of any physical SIM. This innovation offers the same functionality as a regular SIM card but with an added unique capability: it is programmable, allowing for enhanced flexibility and ease of use. This programmability empowers users to seamlessly switch network operators without needing to physically swap cards. You just buy a plan and they will ask you to scan a QR code and then enter some details the details (like apn)
Now a GSM module integrated on smartphone or any device to be connected to GSM network is continuously checking the power of adjacent cells. If the calculated power is better that the one being connected to, the module shall request a location update to the mobile RAN with the new cellid it wishes to connect to. It could be a 3G cell rather than 4G depending of the module is allowed to anchor to 3G (UTRAN) networks. It could be that the mobile is on the edge of an area and it will be continuously changing LAC/RAC/TAC.
So I guess that in their previous 4G cameras, the GSM module was not able to compare the power of adjacent cells and request a LUP.
I know this area quite well :). And now there is VOLTE which requires IMS. -
@joseph_1979 I appreciate the detailed explanation my friend. I am well-versed in SIM and eSIM as well. Not quite as deep as your knowledge so I do appreciate the details!
I was more referring to the end-user experience. Based on the advertising that the camera can pick the strongest 4G network, that assumes that the end user has multiple providers available to them. Does this suggest that the end-user must have a subscription to multiple providers? This is not a good selling feature.
There are two-way radio manufacturers (retailers) that are offering two-way radios that operate on 4G (I assume auto-switching eSIM) with only the end user paying a subscription fee to the manufacturer. They suggest that the radios will find and connect to the best 4G signal it can find. The end user pays a single subscription fee to the manufacturer and the mfr handles the rest. This of course does not come without concern of long-term sustainability as the radios are useless without subscription or if the companies go out of business.
So this brings us back to the camera... single subscription to Camvue or does the end user have to manage multiple cellular subscriptions? -
@chopstix I used to design, implement and carry out the acceptance testing of mobile networks :). I know to what you were referring to but as I explained an IMSI (i.e. Physical SIM) consists of 16 digits, the first 5-6 are the MCC and MNC . The MCC is the mobile country code which is 222 for Italy (like the Telephone country code +39) and MNC is the Mobile Network code, namely, the operator. eg 299 1mobile, 08 fast web, etc. So each operator will only authenticate the IMSI range assigned to him by the local Communication Authority. So to connect to different networks one needs to have different SIMs. Note that I am excluding MVNOs which are operators which use the mobile infrastructure of another operator. These MVNOs normally use different IMSI range. So to connect to two distinct mobile operators, you need two SIMs.
The two way radio units you mentioned still use SIMs. These use packet data only. Most operators assigned these units M2M SIMs. Any device which connects to 4G networks requires a SIM. The only exception is when calling the emergency number in which case there is no IMSI authentication. Some people remove the IMSI and make a prank call to the emergency service. They think that they cannot be traced. They are stupid as the operator has the IMEI of the phone through which the call has been made.
Let see with what they come out. -
@joseph_1979 in theory, a camera with eSIM could have a country specific firmware installed that when initialized, registers itself with all available carriers for that region. I spent some years doing software design for Ford Motor Company. If I were tasked with this project, my process would go like this...
1) Purchase use subscription from camera vendor.
2) Vendor activates device with all local region carriers.
3) Upon initialization, camera is downloaded with carrier info into separate profiles.
4) Camera detects strongest signal and writes the eSIM profile accordingly.
5) When signal drops below a specified strength for a specified duration, camera performs signal detection again.
Then I would hand it off to the dev team for coding
Perhaps the camera has the ability to store multiple carrier profiles that are managed by the end user rather than a single vendor subscription. Anyhow, yes, I am interested in knowing how they are implementing this. -
@chopstix
It couldn't be a local eSIM as local mobile operators won't allow it. So it has to be an operator who has roaming agreement with all mobile operators. Then the MCC + MNC of the IMSI will be mapped to a Global Title and MAP messages forwarded to the serving operator. Charging will be handled by this operator.
Note that in the description it is stated that the SIM is included. So we are there.... similar to the P2P servers provided by AWS. -
@joseph_1979 in the US, all the major providers support eSIM.
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@chopstix Even in Europe. So what were you programming in? C++, Assembly, python ? I am a programmer too and mainly use C++ and Assembly in my applications. It's fun.
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@joseph_1979 I stopped writing code back in the late 90's. I only did it for a very short time before going back to software and infrastructure and architecture. I worked with C++, VB/VBScript, Java/JScript, HTML and some MS SQL database scripting. I started IT in 1992 deploying Microsoft server solutions but when WWW 1.0 started taking shape, I moved over to software to help transition client-server applications to web-based. When I took a position at Ford Motor Co, they quickly moved me over to a customer technical liaison role because I understood both development fundamentals as well as delivery mechanisms. I also spent a lot of time there developing server and web farms. That was the last time I wrote code other than dabbling here and there with HTML/ASP. Today I work as a part-time as a consultant. I help SMB better leverage their existing technologies while identifying which areas of their business can benefit from newer/emerging technologies.
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@chopstix There is an included sim, but I have been advised you are also able to use your own provider which utilises 4G.
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@chopstix I have moved from software development to senior technical architect to teaching and now consultant on security (not cameras :)). 1992... at that time there was pascal and C.
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@big_ted If you use their SIM then you need to roam over a local mobile operator with whom they have agreement. So customers have to buy a data package from Reolink. Reolink will have various operators offering SIM data services eg.. 1 in EU to cover EU countries which have roaming like at home.
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@joseph_1979 yes that is correct. Im waiting to confirm if the included sim includes cloud access or if is extra fee.
I will post here when I have confirmed further details.
I can say though, the included sim does work great where I am, havent confirmed which provider though here in Australia. -
@big_ted If I recall correctly you have been provided with a 4G TrackMix. So if the SIM was installed then you have top it up through Reolink account which has been added to the Android/IoS client. They offer 365 days 24G data plan.
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@joseph_1979 I have also been testing a Talon Pro with their sim and works well. Waiting to find out when I can say more lol
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@big_ted So you are always ahead of us. But the SIM provided is for 365 days and then you have to top it.
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@joseph_1979 The sim I have is monthly, but not sure on what options they will have. My other cams I use yearly, but not from Reolink.
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@big_ted you can check the data package associated with the SIM by entering to the SIM service on the cloud tab.
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@joseph_1979 my sim that was included is only 2gb/month, which has mostly been plenty as accessing it less regulaly than a security camera.
have to say, camera works well although is battery hungry and chews through AA batteries. I havent been able to get rechargeable batteries to work as the 1.2v/1.5v. Yet to try 1.5v rechargeable AS's though, but there is a battery pack and solar panel option coming which will be fantastic. No Wifi so relies on the sim, but can still access the sd card.
There some more updates coming out for the Camovue app and firmware later this month. -
@big_ted Well 2GB is more than adequate unless you constantly watch live views or playbacks. So you get a year of free SIM and then you have to top it up or swap it with a local one. How stable is its 4G connectivity? Any disconnections? Any errors? I would have checked the GTP-C and U protocols but one needs a probe which I have access to and good knowledge of these protocols :).
Do you know who is the provider of the SIM (from IMSI)?
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