# Cellular via ModemManager not working

**URL:** <https://forums.balena.io/t/cellular-via-modemmanager-not-working/6111>\
**Category:** balenaOS\
**Created:** [April 17, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/cellular-via-modemmanager-not-working/6111 "2019-04-17T18:48:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bergeboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bergeboy](https://forums.balena.io/u/Bergeboy)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/cellular-via-modemmanager-not-working/6111/1 "2019-04-17T18:48:52Z")

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I am trying to set up cellular network connection via ModemManager ([https://www.balena.io/docs/reference/OS/network/2.x/#cellular-modem-setup](https://www.balena.io/docs/reference/OS/network/2.x/#cellular-modem-setup)) but am running into problem after problem. I have been banging at this for almost a week now with absolutely no progress.

So first, I have tested the modem, sim, and hardware on my linux machine and it works - I am connected to the internet.

After adding a ‘cellular’ file to the system-connections directory, I am seeing the modem. It even has a signal strength of 31, the highest possible. See attached file:

 ![58%20PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/balena/original/2X/9/9500af08e91da05b9618ebac9f782c2b47ae2375.png)

However when I disconnect from Ethernet and reboot the device, it does not connect and it is unavailable via the dashboard.

I am using the NimbeLink Gemalto modem and a Verizon SIM.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know this is an issue that many people are facing with BalenaOS.

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**Author:** ![samothx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@samothx](https://forums.balena.io/u/samothx)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/cellular-via-modemmanager-not-working/6111/3 "2019-04-17T21:35:21Z")

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Hi ,  
could you give us a little more information on what type of device and what OS version you are trying to run this on ?  
Regards  
Thomas

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**Author:** ![Bergeboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bergeboy](https://forums.balena.io/u/Bergeboy)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/cellular-via-modemmanager-not-working/6111/4 "2019-04-18T17:04:26Z")

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Turns out the Gemalto Modem does not play well with ModemManager. When it recognizes the modem is there, it tries to talk with it - just not the way that the modem wants to be talked too.

The solution was to disable ModemManager completely. And manually talk with the modem.

Thanks Thomas!