
Chapter 6 – Network Service Commands 
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. Wireless GSM/GPRS AT Commands (Document Number S000293I)  32 
    <oper> Operator identifier (MCC/MNC in numeric format only for operator selection)  
  The long alphanumeric format can be up to 16 characters long (see Codes and Values Appendix 
for operator names description, field is “Name”). The short alphanumeric format can be up to 8 
characters long. 
Syntax:     To force an attempt to select and register on a network, the application must send this command: 
 Command Syntax: AT+COPS=<mode>, [<format> [ , <oper> ] ]   
  Possible Responses for AT+COPS=<mode> 
Possible Responses   Meaning
OK  Network is selected with full service 
+CME ERROR: 30  No network service 
+CME ERROR: 32  Network not allowed – emergency calls only 
+CME ERROR: 3  Not allowed during communication 
+CME ERROR: 4  Incorrect parameters 
+CME ERROR: 527  Please wait, and retry your selection later 
+CME ERROR: 528  Location update failure – emergency calls only 
+CME ERROR: 529  Selection failure – emergency calls only 
+CME ERROR: 546  Emergency call is not allowed without SIM 
+CME ERROR: 547  Emergency call is allowed without SIM 
Note: The error codes +CME ERROR: 546 and +CME ERROR: 547 are only returned if the SIM is not 
present. The fact that network support emergency call (+CME ERROR: 547) does not imply that 
emergency call without the SIM is working. To find out if it is working is to use the ATD112 command. 
Response Syntax for AT+COPS?:  +COPS: <mode> [, <format>, <oper> ] 
Response Syntax for AT+COPS=?:  +COPS: [list of supported (<stat>, long alphanumeric <oper>, 
short alphanumeric <oper>s, numeric <oper>) s] 
 Notes:  
• If an incoming call occurs during a PLMN list request, the operation is aborted 
(+CME ERROR: 520) and the unsolicited RING appears. 
• If SPN (Service Provider Name) is present in the SIM, it will be returned in both long and short 
alphanumeric <oper> fields. The string in the “short” field will be the SPN truncated to the 
appropriate character number. 
The following operations are allowed with the SIM inserted or the PIN activated: 
AT+COPS?  Get Current PLMN 
AT+COPS=?  List allowed PLMN 
AT+COPS=1,2,<plmn>  Manually set current PLMN 
Command  Possible responses
AT+COPS? 
Note: Ask for current PLMN  +COPS: 0,2,20801 
OK 
Note: Home PLMN is France Telecom Orange 
AT+COPS=? 
Note: Ask for PLMN list 
+COPS: (2,”F SFR”,”SFR”,”20801”), (3,”F-BOUYGUES  
TELECOM”,”BYTEL”,”20820”),(3,”Orange 
F”,”Orange”,”20801” 
OK 
Note: Home PLMN is France Telecom SFR, BYTEL and 
Orange networks have been detected 
AT+COPS=1,2,20810 
Note: Ask for registration on SFR network  +CME ERROR: 32 
Note: Network not allowed – emergency calls only 
AT+COPS=1,2,23433 
Note: Ask for registration on UK Orange 
network 
+CME ERROR: 529 
Note: Selection failed – emergency calls only 
AT+COPS=0 
Note: Ask for registration in automatic mode OK 
Note: Succeeded 
AT+COPS=3,0 
Note: Set <format> to long alphanumeric  OK 
AT+COPS? 
Note: Ask for current PLMN 
+COPS: 0,0,”Orange F” 
OK 
Note: Home PLMN is France Telecom Orange 
AT+COPS=2 
Note: Ask for deregistration from network  OK 
Note: Succeeded 
AT+COPS? 
Note: Ask for current PLMN  +COPS: 2 
Note: ME is unregistered until <mode>=0 or 1 is selected