Selecting an appropriate modem firmware for wp7611-1

IoT Modules WP Series
1

We need to make a custom firmware for a device using module wp7611-1. The product is targeted at US market. The device would be used for data transfer, not voice calls. The firmware will be based on Release 17.
On “WP76xx Firmware Release 17 Components” page there are several modem firmware versions offered - generic with GCF and PTCRB certification and several other modem firmware versions, each approved/targeted at specific cellular carrier.

I’m not informed about best practices when selecting an appropriate modem firmware. I hope someone can clarify the following points:

  1. Are modem firmware versions approved by specific carriers in any way locked to the corresponding carrier?
  2. Is it possible to use generic modem firmware for specific carriers, e.g. AT&T? I guess that the certification for specific carrier would be more complicated in that case. Are there any technical limitations that could render the generic modem firmware entirely inappropriate?
2

which carrier are you going to use?
If you are going to use AT&T, you should choose the ATT firmware

3

Is it possible to use a single solution - with generic modem firmware - for multiple carriers? What would be the downsides of such approach? More complicated certification process? Any risk that the generic firmware wouldn’t even function in some carrier networks?

4

then you need to use some MVNO SIM that can switch to ATT/VZW/TMO in US.
In this case, I guess you can use GENERIC firmware

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5

Maybe I can help you. I worked on a project where I asked the same questions. 1 - modem firmware versions approved by specific carriers have properties set for that carrier. 2 - Yes, I was told the generic modem firmware can be used for specific carriers and all carriers. That is the purpose - it is generic or general modem firmware. Settings are not carrier specific in the generic modem firmware version. Carrier certification might not be more complicated in this case with the generic modem firmware. Regarding limitations when using the generic modem firmware, what I learned is voice or VoLTE might be a complication. New question - is voice or VoLTE enabled on your wp7611-1? if so, this will need to be fixed or changed. voice or VoLTE should not be enabled on a data centric modem. PTCRB and the PTCRB lab will enforce this, too.

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