There is nothing in the documentation to indicate that issuing AT+COPS=0 will, “reset the PLMN search” - but this does, in fact, seem to be the case! For example: In such a case, it does seem that issuing AT+COPS=0 will, indeed, “reset the PLMN search” - and will allow the module to escape from …

Undocumented side-effect of AT+COPS=0

szalik February 27, 2011, 7:36pm 2

I’ve seen a reference to AT+COPS=0 in PLMN Selection and Reselection Application Note, it’s the first FAQ question.

Q2678RD /w v7.43 generic cannot do 1st GSM registration

Topic		Replies	Views
Jamming Legacy AirPrime modules	2	1473	May 16, 2011
PLMN selection order in automatic mode & use of at+cops=0 Documentation feedback	4	2764	February 27, 2013
Network selection (+COPS,+CPOL+CPLS) General wireless topics	5	4872	August 13, 2020
Roaming networks with AT+COPS General wireless topics	4	3797	May 21, 2014
Unwanted carrier switching IoT Modules	6	796	January 6, 2021