Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151: APN and network setup with an IoT SIM

Updated 27 October 2026

The Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 is a cellular module for LTE-M and NB-IoT; it also has GNSS. With an IoT SIM, you set the APN with AT+CGDCONT=0,"IP","<apn>", choose the radio technology, then check that the module is registered, at home or in roaming. Vendor commands come from Nordic Semiconductor's manuals, standard ones from 3GPP TS 27.007; each cites its document.

Key facts

GNSS: GPS L1 C/A and QZSS L1 C/A. Nordic also lists 3GPP Release 17 IoT NTN (satellite) and DECT NR+ for the nRF9151.

Source: Nordic, nRF9151 product specification. Checked 27 October 2026.

Set the APN

AT+CFUN=4
AT+CGDCONT=0,"IP","<apn>"
AT+CFUN=1

Context 0 is the initial PDN connection, set up at attach; we define it while the radio is off (AT+CFUN=4). Built from Nordic's documented syntax: Nordic's own example uses context 1.

Source: Nordic nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference, Define PDP context +CGDCONT (document).

Replace <apn> with the APN shown in your M2M.global account: the internet APN, or your private APN.

Choose the radio technology

AT+CFUN=4
AT%XSYSTEMMODE=1,1,1,0
AT+CFUN=1

The four values switch LTE-M, NB-IoT and GNSS on (1) or off (0), then give the preferred LTE mode (0 = none). Change them while the radio is off.

Source: Nordic nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference, System mode %XSYSTEMMODE (document).

Open the data connection

AT+CFUN=1

Registration and the initial PDN connection (context 0) follow AT+CFUN=1; AT+CGACT cannot activate or deactivate context 0.

Source: Nordic nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference, Functional mode +CFUN (document).

Check that it works

AT+CPIN?        SIM ready? expect +CPIN: READY
AT+CEREG?       LTE registration: stat 1 = home network, 5 = roaming
AT+COPS?        network the module is using
AT+CGDCONT?     APN actually configured
AT+CESQ

An IoT SIM that works in many countries is often registered in roaming: +CEREG: 0,5 is a valid, working registration. Firmware that waits only for status 1 (home network) never goes online on such a SIM. Status values come from 3GPP TS 27.007; the signal command from Nordic nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference, Extended signal quality +CESQ.

To save battery, request PSM with AT+CPSMS and eDRX with AT+CEDRXS (3GPP TS 27.007); the network decides which timers it grants.

Networks and shutdowns

• LTE-M and NB-IoT run on 4G networks, but not every operator offers them, and roaming on them depends on agreements between operators. Check the coverage by country before you deploy.
• No 2G or 3G dependency: the nRF9151 is not affected by 2G and 3G shutdowns.
• Private delivery works with any module: the privacy is in the network path, not in the device. See private delivery.

The SIM: IoT SIM cards and IoT eSIM. All commands explained: AT commands.