Features/NetworkManagerMobileStatus

= NetworkManager Mobile Broadband Status =

Summary
The NetworkManager applet shows the current signal strength, cellular technology (GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA or 1x/EVDO etc), and roaming status while connected for cards where this functionality is supported.

Owner

 * Name: Dan Williams
 * Email: dcbw@redhat.com

Current status

 * Targeted release: Fedora 13
 * Last updated: 2010-02-16
 * Percentage of completion: 100%

Detailed Description
ModemManager already provides D-Bus methods to get the required information from various cards, but we need to add some nm-applet icons for cellular signal strength and then have nm-applet/NM listen for signal strength changes, or poll modem-manager for such changes while connected.

Benefit to Fedora
This feature makes it easier to use mobile broadband. Users will be able to know when their device has a signal and if they are roaming or not. This could potentially save the user money.

Scope
We'll need some icons for cellular signal strength. We'll also need to unlock some of the methods of the ModemManager D-Bus API to allow nm-applet to directly query signal strength and registration status. Then we'll need to periodically request that information from ModemManager. Most of the pieces are already there, they just need to be tied together.

How To Test
Testers need a supported data card. A partial listing is here: [| some supported mobile broadband cards]. The user should disconnect other wired or wifi connections first. Then user plugs the card in, selects the "new CDMA connection" or "new GSM connection" item from the nm-applet menu, follows the prompts to set the connection up, and when finished selects the menu item to connect to the mobile broadband network. The user then observes if nm-applet shows signal strength and cellular technology in the applet's icon area.

User Experience
The applet's icon should show signal strength and cellular technology and/or roaming status. Additionally, the applet menu may show these items as well since cards will often register to the network before being connected.

Dependencies
This depends on ModemManager.

Contingency Plan
If the feature is not ready in time, it will simply not be included in F13, and nm-applet will appear as it does today without cellular signal strength indicators.

Documentation

 * No documentation at this time.

Release Notes

 * Mobile broadband signal strength and roaming status is now shown in the network status icon for many mobile broadband cards.

Comments and Discussion

 * See Talk:Features/NetworkManagerMobileStatus