The FONA 3G adds 3G support but since it is a completely different chipset than the FONA 800/808 (Qualcomm not Mediatek) there are some significant differences between the two types of modules.

This is not an exhaustive list!

SMS

SMS's are indexed differently

FONA 800 & 808 start at 1 (one) where as the FONA 3G starts at 0 (zero)

SMS sending extra lines

After sending an SMS using AT+CMGS, the FONA 3G returns two sets of CRLF's that do not appear with the FONA 800 or 808.

SMS # query reply is different

If you request the # of SMS's on the SIM module with AT+CPMS? the FONA 800 & 808 reply starts with +CPMS: "SM_P" whereas the 3G starts with +CPMS: "ME"

Voice Calls

The hanging up command is ATH0 on the FONA 800 and 808 and ATH on the FONA 3G. You'll also have to send the FONA 3G a AT+CVHU=0 command to tell it to listen for the ATH command (it will say 'OK' but not actually hang up)

Misc

Battery voltage measurement with AT+CBC returns a 4-digit voltage in mV on the FONA 800 and 808. On the FONA 3G it's a floating point number in volts.

GPS

GSMLOC (location via triangulation of nearest cell towers) is supported by the FONA 800 and 808 but not 3G

This guide was first published on Aug 21, 2015. It was last updated on Aug 21, 2015.

This page (3G vs FONA 800 & 808) was last updated on Aug 20, 2015.

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