Help with ePlus / Aldi Talk Data Connection...

[kaydee]

I managed to purchase and register an Aldi Talk SIM, even with my limited German. (They don’t require any info in the store, but you do have to register on-line, by phone or fax.)

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get it to stay connected via GPRS/UMTS for more than 5 seconds. It does connect, but then immediately disconnects. I am using a PC card.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or any ideas of where to look for help? Unfortunately, my German is limited to ordering from a menu (and even then, I have a limited choice!)

On rare occasions, it will stay connected for around 30 secs.

Here is the log, if it helps anyone – the first is one that disconnected immediately, the next is one that stayed connected for longer.

04-21-2007 07:58:09.359 - Opening Modem
04-21-2007 07:58:09.375 - 460800,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
04-21-2007 07:58:09.375 - Initializing modem.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.390 - Send: AT&F
04-21-2007 07:58:09.390 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.390 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.406 - Send: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:09.406 - Recv: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:09.406 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 07:58:09.406 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.406 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.421 - Send: AT
04-21-2007 07:58:09.421 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.421 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.421 - Sending user initialization commands.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.421 - TSP(0000): Making Call
04-21-2007 07:58:09.437 - Send: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.eplus.de";
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Waiting for a call.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Send: ATS0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.453 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.468 - 460800,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
04-21-2007 07:58:09.468 - Initializing modem.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.468 - Send: AT&F
04-21-2007 07:58:09.484 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.484 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.500 - Send: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:09.500 - Recv: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:09.500 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 07:58:09.500 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.500 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.515 - Send: AT
04-21-2007 07:58:09.515 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.515 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.515 - Sending user initialization commands.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.515 - Send: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.eplus.de";
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - Dialing.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0x0001008d) Status 0x00000000
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DIALING
04-21-2007 07:58:09.531 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_PROCEEDING
04-21-2007 07:58:09.546 - Send: ATDT*##***##
04-21-2007 07:58:09.546 - Recv: CONNECT 384000
04-21-2007 07:58:09.546 - Interpreted response: Connect
04-21-2007 07:58:09.546 - Receive Connect but CD was low, Waiting for signal to go high
04-21-2007 07:58:09.578 - After waiting 20ms CD is still low.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.593 - After waiting 20ms CD is still low.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.609 - After waiting 20ms CD is still low.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.625 - CD has been raised
04-21-2007 07:58:09.625 - Connection established at 384000bps.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.625 - Error-control off or unknown.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.625 - Data compression off or unknown.
04-21-2007 07:58:09.625 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_CONNECTED
04-21-2007 07:58:15.765 - CD dropped--Remote modem hung up. ModemStatus=00000030
04-21-2007 07:58:15.765 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DISCONNECTED(0x1)
04-21-2007 07:58:15.765 - TSP(0000): Dropping Call
04-21-2007 07:58:15.765 - Hanging up the modem.
04-21-2007 07:58:16.765 - Timed out waiting for response from modem
04-21-2007 07:58:16.765 - Send: ATH E1
04-21-2007 07:58:16.765 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.765 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.765 - 460800,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
04-21-2007 07:58:16.781 - Initializing modem.
04-21-2007 07:58:16.781 - Send: AT&F
04-21-2007 07:58:16.796 - Recv: AT&F
04-21-2007 07:58:16.796 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 07:58:16.796 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.796 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.812 - Send: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:16.812 - Recv: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:16.812 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 07:58:16.812 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.812 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.828 - Send: AT
04-21-2007 07:58:16.828 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.828 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.828 - Sending user initialization commands.
04-21-2007 07:58:16.843 - Send: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.eplus.de";
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Waiting for a call.
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Send: ATS0=0
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_IDLE
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0x000100d2) Status 0x00000000
04-21-2007 07:58:16.859 - TSP(0000): Closing Call
04-21-2007 07:58:16.953 - Session Statistics:
04-21-2007 07:58:16.953 - Reads : 123 bytes
04-21-2007 07:58:16.953 - Writes: 0 bytes


Longer call:
04-21-2007 08:03:23.437 - Opening Modem
04-21-2007 08:03:23.437 - 460800,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
04-21-2007 08:03:23.437 - Initializing modem.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.453 - TSP(0000): Making Call
04-21-2007 08:03:23.453 - Send: AT&F
04-21-2007 08:03:23.453 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.453 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.468 - Send: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 08:03:23.468 - Recv: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 08:03:23.468 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 08:03:23.468 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.468 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.484 - Send: AT
04-21-2007 08:03:23.484 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.484 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.484 - Sending user initialization commands.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.500 - Send: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.eplus.de";
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Waiting for a call.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Send: ATS0=0
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.515 - 460800,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
04-21-2007 08:03:23.531 - Initializing modem.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.531 - Send: AT&F
04-21-2007 08:03:23.546 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.546 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Send: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Recv: ATE0V1&D2&C1S0=0
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Command Echo
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.562 - Send: AT
04-21-2007 08:03:23.578 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.578 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.578 - Sending user initialization commands.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.578 - Send: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.eplus.de";
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - Recv: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - Interpreted response: OK
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - Dialing.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0x0001027d) Status 0x00000000
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DIALING
04-21-2007 08:03:23.593 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_PROCEEDING
04-21-2007 08:03:23.609 - Send: ATDT*##***##
04-21-2007 08:03:23.609 - Recv: CONNECT 384000
04-21-2007 08:03:23.609 - Interpreted response: Connect
04-21-2007 08:03:23.609 - Receive Connect but CD was low, Waiting for signal to go high
04-21-2007 08:03:23.640 - After waiting 20ms CD is still low.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.656 - CD has been raised
04-21-2007 08:03:23.656 - Connection established at 384000bps.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.656 - Error-control off or unknown.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.656 - Data compression off or unknown.
04-21-2007 08:03:23.656 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_CONNECTED
04-21-2007 08:03:53.656 - Read: Total: 35708, Per/Sec: 1185, Written: Total: 0, Per/Sec: 0

[dg7feq]

It looks like the signal is too low for UMTS data connection.

I would try to set your modem to GSM/GPRS and try to connect there first.
Your APN is correct - internet.eplus.de
username is eplus, password is gprs (i dont know if the settings are the same for UMTS- in our area there is no eplus UMTS coverage to test).

EDIT: I just saw that your modem dials ATDT*##***##
But the dialstring for GPRS/UMTS is *99# (or *99*1# or *99***1# - depending on the hardware)

Chris

[kaydee]

Thanks very much for your help.

I've been connected for 7 minutes now, so I think (hope!) I found the solution.

Apparently you must first make a phone call with the phone. I registered it on-line and thought that was enough. I tried making a call, only to receive a message in German. I asked the very kind lady at the hotel front desk to explain it, and she said I needed to enter the PIN. I did that, and another recording in German came on. She pressed some more buttons, and then it worked!

She commented how frustrating it is that they make these systems so complicated - it isn't complicated if you know German, of course, but it must be hard for immigrants and tourists like myself! You would think that operating a phone should be simple!

Anyway, I don't know if it is worth adding this to the section on the Aldi Talk card on the prepaidgsm.net site, but you do have to make a call first, which involves entering your PIN, and then possibly some other numbers, but I'm not sure which!

One more question - does anyone know how to check the balance on the Aldi Talk / ePlus network? (This info would be helpful to post on the website as well.)

Thanks again,

Kelly.

[dg7feq]

Oh, then they made this new.
My Aldi-SIM did not require to type in any PIN. It just sent a Welcome message after the first call. Yes, all E-Plus-Based SIM-Cards get activated after the first call. There was a nice bug some time ago that you could use GPRS free of charge if you used it before activating the card. apperatnly this bug is now fixed and you cant use GPRS on a non-activated card anymore

Balance check is *100# (comes as flash-sms) or dial 1155 and press 1 (in german)

Chris