Anafi Ai 4G Functionality - Interesting!

[krassoff]

YES - but you must have a SIM card with data plan in both the iPad and Anafi Ai.

I now have SIM cards with Data plans on Both the iPad and Anafi Ai but Cellilar access keeps showing blank (nothing)
No Sim locked
Cannot enter pin
???
No 4G connection

 

[UsernameRequired]

Which 4G cellular Sim uses the most data.
The SkyControllers device FF7
or the Anafi-Ai Sim ?
Smy ideas on ths difference ?

It seems probably about equal data use.

 

[UsernameRequired]

I now have SIM cards with Data plans on Both the iPad and Anafi Ai but Cellilar access keeps showing blank (nothing)
No Sim locked
Cannot enter pin
???
No 4G connection

Did you try following the directions in Post #12?

 

[krassoff]

I have very recently acquired and been using this impressive UAV.

One of the interesting features of the Anafi Ai is 4G communication and control ability.

The Anafi Ai 4G works quite surprisingly well, in various scenarios.

The control and image transmission are very steady and consistent, latency seems well within the tolerances Parrot claims.

There are several means of establishing and using the 4G communication, after of course inserting an appropriate data-capable 4G SIM card into the Anafi Ai:

- Using a control device with a data-capable 4G SIM card (ie, cellphone or tablet) in the Sky Controller​

- Using a control device without a data-capable 4G SIM card in the Sky Controller​

​

The 4G communication option ("Cellular Access') needs to be selected in the Free Flight 7 app.

If the control device has a data-capable 4G SIM card, the device needs to have 'mobile data' activated (with WiFi turned off). When the Sky Controller is turned on with the control device plugged in to it, and the Free Flight 7 app is running, the 4G communication will be configured and operate.

If the control device does not have a data-capable 4G SIM card (for example, a WiFi-only iPad), the device needs to have WiFi turned on, and be connected to either an internet WAN router or a WiFi WAN 'HotSpot' (for example, to a cellphone with mobile data and mobile hotspot enabled). When the Sky Controller is turned on with the control device plugged in to it, and the Free Flight 7 app is running, the 4G communication will be configured and operate.

Using spotters with comms, we were able to operate the Anafi Ai in several tests using a WiFi-only iPad mini 6, from inside a building, with the iPad connected to our ISP router, as described above.

We "geocaged" the Anafi Ai in the Free Flight 7 app, to a distance of 1.7km, and were able to go to the limit and function with no problems until we intentionally activated the RTH when the battery reached ~35%.

Please feel free to ask, I will try to answer any questions that I am able to.

When does the Blue LED (drone's starboard side) come on and why ?

 

[LoganMcdaniel]

I recently had a similar setup with my Parrot Anafi Ai and found the 4G communication super steady, just like you mentioned. When I was traveling in Europe, I used a data-capable 4G SIM card for my control device, and it worked flawlessly. If you're looking for a reliable option, Esim Europe was a lifesaver for me. It kept my connection solid even in remote areas.One thing I found helpful was using a WiFi-only iPad mini with my phone's mobile hotspot. It worked great, especially when operating indoors. The geocaging feature also worked perfectly for my test flights, maintaining control up to the limit.

 

[Cobra977]

I am not in the USA at this time, I did not get the Anafi Ai from Skyward, my cellular service provider is local to the country I am in.

Did you get the "Parrot ANAFI Ai + Skyward Combo"?

If so, Skyward says:
"We seek to give you the smoothest possible transition off Skyward without significantly impacting your flight operations. In compliance with our Terms of Service, we will continue to support the Skyward Drone Management Platform through June 30, 2022, at which point users will no longer have access." [from: Skyward, A Verizon company, to end operations - Skyward]

So, Skyward should give you that free trial until June 30th (which they obviously aren't), according to them.

They also claim the following:

"These five perks of using Parrot ANAFI Ai are groundbreaking, and they’re all made possible because of Verizon 4G LTE. In fact, in the U.S., Parrot ANAFI Ai connects exclusively to the Verizon network through Skyward’s Connected Drone Solution ... If you have a subscription to Skyward, you’ll be able to activate your ANAFI Ai’s 4G LTE through Skyward’s InFlight mobile app" [from: 5 Benefits of Verizon 4G LTE Connectivity for Parrot ANAFI Ai - Skyward]

After the Skyward failure, Parrot says that the Anafi Ai will work with any 4G LTE provider:
Parrot on LinkedIn: Following the decision taken by Verizon to end Skyward activities,

---

This may be helpful:

Does your FreeFlight 7 app show "SIM Locked" in the “Cellular access” menu from the drone page of the dashboard? If so, maybe this will help: How do I manage 4G connections? | Parrot

If that's not the problem:

You might have to configure the APN for Verizon in the FreeFlight 7 app "Settings>Advanced>Communication". Verizon APN is vzwinternet and IP Protocol is IPv4, no username or password. (The drone has to be turned on for this).

If that didn't work:

Try the SIM card in another mobile device if you have one (not the one you activated the SIM card in), and see if it works or not - Verizon may "lock" SIM cards to the IMEI of the device it was first activated in. If the SIM card doesn't work in another device besides the one it was activated in, put the SIM card back in the Anafi Ai, get the IMEI of the Anafi Ai from the “Cellular access” menu from the drone page of the dashboard (the drone has to be turned on for this):
View attachment 6019
[Your IMEI will be a different number, make a note of it]

Then call Verizon and get them to enter the Anafi Ai IMEI you have noted, turn off the Anafi Ai after 5 minutes then turn it back on and see if it connects.

Please let me know if any of that helped.

I have just went through exactly that with Verizon customer service they do not recognize the IMEI number and are requesting an EID number activate the sim. I live in the states and my phones are locked to ATT and by the way none of my sims for all my other devices work in the Anafi AI also with the Verizon I get all green except the "4G' is still red. It does state that it is connected to the Parrot servers

 

[Cobra977]

It all works well now it did not work with my ATT sim card I yanked out of my phone and threw in it when I was in the middle of it. Oh well now I have 2 phone bills but hey the thing works and that is all I ask so far!
Thank you all for your input I will have more later as I trip over new problems. Now that it flies I am working on formatting the sd card then try to make some video.