L850-GL on Fedora

Bring the Fibocom L850-GL modem up in USB MBIM mode at boot, then let ModemManager and NetworkManager handle the connection.

Preview release. Tested on a ThinkPad X1 Carbon 7th generation running Fedora 44. This is a focused hardware workaround, not a generic WWAN driver. The installer currently accepts only that platform.

What it does

If the modem appears as PCI device 8086:7360, the helper switches it to USB device 2cb7:0007. If it is already in USB mode, it exits immediately. It runs before ModemManager and leaves Wi-Fi and Ethernet startup independent.

The helper does not change your APN, connection profiles or modem NVM. You still need a working SIM and a mobile broadband connection configured in NetworkManager.

Get started

git clone https://github.com/fiboromcom/l850gl-enable-linux.git
cd l850gl-enable-linux
./scripts/l850gl-wwan-preflight.sh

The preflight reads system state and lists missing prerequisites. It does not install anything or switch the modem. A nonzero exit means a check failed.

Follow the installation guide to build the pinned acpi_call package and enable the converter. You will need another internet connection during setup.

Check a boot

journalctl -b -u l850gl-usb-convert.service --no-pager
mmcli -L
nmcli device status

A successful conversion log reports USB 2cb7:0007 appearing. The oneshot service normally shows inactive after success; check its result and journal rather than expecting it to stay running.

If the modem appears but cannot enable its radio, see troubleshooting. FCC unlocking is a separate operation, not an automatic installation prerequisite.

Development

The helper and unit match the working local implementation. Validation notes distinguish that evidence from tests still needed on other systems.

Run python3 tests/check.py for checks that do not access the modem.