SMS modem and the impending 3G shutdown

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › SMS modem and the impending 3G shutdown

dbuckley

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#323211 7-Nov-2025 07:07

I have a AliExpress-sourced modem with a 2D SIM, which I use for sending SMS texts, which has worked fine for some years. However, 3G shutdown is coming, so I need something to replace the old stalwart. Are there any recommendations for such a thing? I use it with smstools SMSD software. In case the detail matters, the documentation notes:

This Software needs a GSM modem with SMS command set according to the european specification GSM 07.05 (=ETSI TS 300 585), a character-based interface with hex-encoded binary transfer of message blocks ("PDU Mode") of it, and alphabet support according to the GSM 03.38 (=ETSI TS 100 900).

coffeebaron

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#3431820 7-Nov-2025 07:22

Teltonika TRM240 or 250. Can get from gowifi.

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altered-ego
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#3431845 7-Nov-2025 08:33

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dbuckley

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#3432774 10-Nov-2025 14:57

Thank you folks. Rather more expensive than the Ali Special, but, I can get it immediately.

richms

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#3432832 10-Nov-2025 15:51

Right now I wouldn't be getting anything from overseas even if you only need SMS on it in case some genius here decides to follow the morons in Australia and let the telcos have free reign over kicking devices off their networks under the excuse of emergency calling. At least if you get it locally you will have CGA protection if that does happen.

Richard rich.ms

geocom

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#3432856 10-Nov-2025 16:31

coffeebaron:

Teltonika TRM240 or 250. Can get from gowifi.

The TRM250 only supports Cat M1 and NB-IOT unless something has changed in the last month 2degrees don't support M1 or NB-IOT there is no 3g modem but there is a 2g modem not that it will do much good as its been discontinued by 2degrees.

When I tried it out last month the only networks that the TRM250 can see are from one and spark

Geoff E

dbuckley

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#3432920 10-Nov-2025 17:36

So this means I need the 240 model?

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geocom

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#3433074 11-Nov-2025 00:40

From my reading it's the better choice however I cant comment on if the device supports the spec of your server software. That being said SMS is a old spec so I would be surprised if it won't work.

The hardware should have no issues connecting unlike the 250 it is cat1 which from what I can tell is supported(I can't find an actual list of what cat levels are supported but it's the first one released so would be surprised if not). It supports all of the lte bands that 2degrees use.

Someone else may have hands on experience with the unit.The only ones I have tried are the 200 and the 250.

Geoff E

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#3433097 11-Nov-2025 07:44

I've installed a lot of 250's, but all on Spark & One NZ as they wouldn't work on 2degrees. I think 2degrees may possibly be now implementing Cat M1, as the last one I did would show service and even receive texts, but SIM was out of credit, so swapped to a Skinny connection.

I use these on Chicken farms for their backup alarm system integrated into the farm computer software.

Also you can use an external antenna for poor coverage areas.

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