Configuring GSM
1. Goal
- Connect your Charge Charge Controller to your Backend through GSM
2. Requirements
Make sure that
- The Charge Charge Controller of your Charging Station has a GSM module and a corresponding antenna (see Capabilities Table below)
- A SIM card from the Backend vendor or Network operator of choice is present and activated
- A SIM card is inserted in the SIM card slot of your Charge Charge Controller
The SIM card must be able to access APN networks and be able to connect to the Internet.
2.1. Does my Charge Controller support GSM?
Check the capabilities table to find out if your Controller variant provides this feature:Capabilities table
Model Art. No. USB Host Ethernet Internal Modbus External Modbus Cellular Modem WLAN PLC (ISO 15118) CC613-ELM4PR-M B94060020 2x 4G CC613-ELPR-M B94060021 2x CC613-ELM4PR B94060026 2x 4G CC613-ELPR B94060027 2x CC613-HEM-X2 B94060028 2x Model Art. No. USB Host Ethernet Internal Modbus External Modbus Cellular Modem WLAN PLC (ISO 15118) CC612-1M4PR B94060011 1x EHZ only 4G CC612-2M4PR B94060013 1x 4G CC612-2M4R B94060015 1x CC612-1SOPR B94060005 1x EHZ only CC612-2SOPR B94060007 1x 4G CC612-2SOR B94060028 1x CC612-1M3PR B94070001 1x EHZ only Model Art. No. USB Host Ethernet Internal Modbus External Modbus Cellular Modem WLAN PLC (ISO 15118) ICC1324-Connect Plus B94060080 2x 4G (Cat 1) ICC1324-Connect B94060079 2x 4G (Cat M1/NB1) ICC1324-Connect SP B94060074 2x ICC1324-Home Plus B94060078 1x ICC1324-Home B94060077
If you can't see configuration options in the Config UI mentioned here, the guide doesn't apply to your Charge Charge Controller. Use the table above for reference.
3. Enabling GSM
-
Apply the following configuration:
- At the bottom of the Config UI, click , then click to apply the changes
In the Config UI, under DIAGNOSTICS > Connection State (Modem), you can see if the Charge Charge Controller is connected to the Internet.
If you can't see Connection State (Modem)
If you can't see Connection State (Modem), you might have BACKEND > Connection > Connection Type set to something other than GSM.
Make sure to set the Connection Type to GSM in order to test the modem connection.
4. Set the Network Operator manually
- In the Config UI under Network > GSM, set Network selection mode to
Manual - Under
Access Point Name (APN)enter the APN of the Mobile Network Operator
You must observe the correct format when entering the name. You can also configure this in the Network operator name format field. Alphanumeric short, for example, corresponds to a name with up to 8 characters.
- Fill in the remaining fields as described in the previous section Enabling GSM
Scanning for networks
If you don't know the correct name with the corresponding format,
- Scan for available networks by enabling Scan network operators at boot
- At the bottom of the Config UI, click , then click to apply the changes
After each restart, the Scan network operators at boot parameter is automatically set to Off.
- Wait around 1-2 minutes while the Charge Charge Controller scans for networks in the background
- After waiting, refresh the Legacy Config UI (like you would any other website)
- In the Legacy Config UI, under State, all available Mobile Network Operators are displayed under
Available networks.
All available Mobile Network Operators are displayed in the three different input formats.
- Transfer the name of the desired provider into the Requested Network operator field, respecting the required format.
Get in touch with your Mobile Network Operator if the network isn't showing up even after the recommened waiting period.
With the selection Manual/Auto the Charge Charge Controller first tries to connect manually to the specified Mobile Network Operator. If this fails, the Charge Charge Controller switches to Auto mode.
- At the bottom of the Config UI, click , then click to apply the changes
5. Avoid roaming charges
Check if you do need to pay for roaming with your network provider
To avoid possible roaming charges, for example at national borders, or in case of unstable network connections, under Network > GSM, set the Mobile Network Operator manually.
6. Troubleshooting
6.1. Config UI access
In general, we recommend using GSM only for Backend connections. Accessing the Config UI remotely is best done by setting up an Ethernet connection.
Q: I can’t reach the Config UI over GSM. Are you blocking ports 80/443 on the Charge Controller?
A: No. We do not block the Config UI port over GSM.
Carriers may block common inbound ports such as 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS). Contact your GSM provider and clarify whether port 80/443 is blocked for your APN.
Q: Do I need a static public IP on the SIM?
A: Yes if you intend to access the Config UI from the Internet. Ask your Cellular carrier for a plan/APN that provides a static, routable public IP.
Q: HTTP (80) works but HTTPS (443) doesn’t.
A: Cellular carrier restrictions may apply. Refer to your Cellular carrier for details.
Q: How can I isolate Cellular carrier vs Charge Controller issues?
A:
- From the Charge Controller: verify outbound connectivity (ping/curl your OCPP Backend)
- From the Internet: try to connect to the controller’s public IP/port
- If outbound works but inbound doesn’t, it’s a Cellular carrier inbound restriction (static IP / CG‑NAT) problem
Q: What exactly should I ask my Cellular carrier for?
A: Ask for:
- A static, publicly routable IP for your SIM/APN
- Confirmation that inbound ports 80/443 (or your chosen port) are not blocked
- Clarify whether CG‑NAT applies to your APN and how to opt out