How can I get Fibicom L850-GL modem to work

Joco1992 · 2 April 2026 00:45

Unpack the “.zip” file!

Enter the newly created folder (fibocom-firmware-switch)!

Then open a console/terminal, and run the following commands:

makepkg -C
makepkg -si

This will register the files, folders + a couple of dependent programs!

It will ask if the build is already built, do you want to rebuild it? (Y/N)
Choose yes!

In rare cases, you might run into small issues with installing dependencies:
e.g.:

during zenity installation…

in that case:

killall pamac-daemon
killall pamac-tray-plasma

then try again:

sudo pacman -S zenity

The actual software installation is important (at least that’s what the “experts” claim, but I personally skipped the following 3 commands along with their checks!):

CRITICAL STEP (DO NOT SKIP)

sudo systemctl stop ModemManager

otherwise:

it will grab the modem
flashing won’t work

check:

sudo systemctl stop ModemManager
systemctl is-active ModemManager

The correct answer should be:

“inactive”

Now go here:

~/~/~/fibocom-firmware-switch/pkg/fibocom-firmware-switch/

And run these commands:

cd /opt/fibocom
./UpgradeWithProgress.sh FwPackage/Generic_cust.001.006_signed.fls

So yeah, I got stuck here because I still couldn’t get the originally installed Debian driver version.

I only have the installer, which I “converted” to Manjaro in about 4–6 hours, but honestly it doesn’t help much, because it tries to download the Debian version, which is obviously not compatible by default…

So yeah, I’d need the installed version of the package from Debian.
If anyone can get it, please message me!
In the meantime, I’ll try other.

Don’t be mad that I’m progressing this slowly, but I can’t even see out from the work…

EDIT:
Package has been corrected!
“UpgradeWithProgress.sh” fixed.

set_show_progress_env()
{
    if [ -z "$DISPLAY" ]; then
        export DISPLAY=:0
    fi
}

It didn’t improve performance significantly… but it’s better than nothing

linux-aarhus · 2 April 2026 11:18

I think the main issue is the combination of AMD and Fibocom L850 - at least that is what I see when searching.

The modem must be switched to USB mode - and from the Arch Linux wiki - this appears to be disabled on AMD based hardware.

Perhaps this will work for you?

There is links for getting the firmware from lenovo’s download location.

AUR (en) - thinkpad-l860-gl-fcc-unlock-bin
https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n3xwp04w.txt

Joco1992 · 2 April 2026 14:19

Unfortunately, this workaround didn’t help either…
For now, I’ll just wait and think about what to try next.
One thing’s for sure: I’m not going to install Debian just to extract the files I need.
It would probably just cause problems anyway, since I’d end up mixing up commands later, which definitely wouldn’t be good for me…

Joco1992 · 2 April 2026 15:20

I’ll try to refine this “raw” driver, since it clearly still needs some work.
But I only have about 30 minutes to an hour on weekends, because during the week I’m completely swamped with things to do.

I’ll let you know if I make any progress!
If anyone could also take a look at it, edit it, etc., I’d really appreciate it.

I’m still looking for an installed Debian-based version of the package, because if I could reverse it, I’d know exactly what and where I need to change things.
(And yeah, I’ll also try searching on Debian forums, maybe someone already has this package installed.)

This is the base installer (package).:

Joco1992 · 2 April 2026 18:50

OK
Now it all makes sense!

Modem upgrade failed: ModemUpgrade timeout

This means:

the flasher started
communication was attempted
-3. the modem didn’t respond in time
-4. Debian USB flasher → PCIe modem

this:
WON’T work like this

DownloadTool → no target → timeout

5.Alright — then we’re going with the hardcore native Linux solution.
6.I’m building a Linux-only firmware flasher system!

I’ve still got about a month and a half left anyway.

linux-aarhus · 9 April 2026 08:17

You don’t have to.

You can use

ar x debian-package.deb

Then you have the archives

tar -x data.tar.xz

You will also be able to peek into the scripts that are run by the debian installer when the package is installed.

Joco1992 · 9 April 2026 18:13

But I’m doing 7zip x filename.
Then comes the adaptation.
Good news that the Debian people helped too

https://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=841718#p841718

linux-aarhus · 12 April 2026 15:47

I looked up a second hand Thinkpad T495) which is an AMD based system similar to your x395.

I have managed to make it work - upon request - I can also provide a set of packages ready to install.

Research

During my research, I made several mistakes and I found several hints which in the end made it possible.

Make sure you have disabled the pin on your sim card.
My biggest mistake was to wipe Windows from the system - bad idea - as Windows is instrumental in getting the modem up-to-date and functional.
Another mistake I made was to use pamac to build the custom packages. Instead I had to use the native Arch Linux method.

I will also recommend using linux70 (remove udev-usb-sync), as this will make wonders because of the kernels improvements with relation to these generations of AMD APUs.

It may be possible to execute the Windows configuration tasks below by using a Hirens BootCD - but that I have not tested.

How To Lenovo Fibocom L850-GL using Manjaro Linux

Boot to Windows
Download and install the lastest driver package (includes new firmware) from Lenovo download site
Run Windows update
Reboot into Windows (Be sure to let the firmware upload finish uninterrupted)
Connect to the internet
While connected - Click Start → Power → Restart (This ensures the modem is functional when you reboot into Manjaro)
Boot into your Manjaro installation

Using a clean Manjaro Linux dual-boot installation.

You need to replace ModemManager with the development version.

If get other system issues - make sure to mention you are using a development version of ModemManager.

The development version contains the required functionality, a fibocom module and a fcc-unlock script. The development version depends on other development libraries which will replace existing system libraries with development versions.

The package fwupd depends on libmbin which will create a conflict, a conflict you can only resolve by removing fwupd package.

To ensure no interference - stop and disable the installed ModemManager

sudo systemctl disable --now ModemManager

Uninstall the modemmanager package

sudo pacman -Rns modemmanager

If installed remove the fwupd package

sudo pacman -Rns fwupd

Create a work folder

WORK=~/fibocom
mkdir $WORK
cd $WORK

Then we need three custom scripts - source AUR - the build order is important - do not use an AUR helper

Install base-devel

sudo pacman -Syu base-devel git --needed

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/libmbin-dev
cd libmbin-dev
PKGDEST=$WORK makepkg -sicC
cd $WORK

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/libqmi-dev
cd libqmi-dev
PKGDEST=$WORK makepkg -sicC
cd $WORK

cd $WORK
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/modemmanager-dev
cd modemmanager-dev
PKGDEST=$WORK makepkg -sicC
cd $WORK

You should expect 4 packages in the work folder

ls -l *.pkg.tar.zst 
-rw-r--r-- 1 nix nix  629403 12 apr 17:27 libmbim-dev-1:1.33.1_dev-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst
-rw-r--r-- 1 nix nix  802096 12 apr 17:34 libmm-glib-dev-1.25.95_dev-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst
-rw-r--r-- 1 nix nix 2736562 12 apr 17:28 libqmi-dev-1.37.995_dev-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst
-rw-r--r-- 1 nix nix 1544114 12 apr 17:34 modemmanager-dev-1.25.95_dev-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

Verify that all packages has been installed before proceeding - check the /var/log/pacman.log - when all is done symlink the fcc-unlock script

sudo ln -s /usr/share/ModemManager/fcc-unlock.available.d/8086:7360 /etc/ModemManager/fcc-unlock.d/8086:7360

Enable and start the ModemManager service

sudo systemctl enable --now ModemManager

Result

inxi -Fc0

 $ inxi -Fc0 
System:
  Host: tp485 Kernel: 7.0.0-rc7-1-MANJARO arch: x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 6.6.4 Distro: Manjaro Linux
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: 20NKS05100 v: ThinkPad T495
    serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: LENOVO model: 20NKS05100 v: SDK0J40697 WIN
    serial: <superuser required> Firmware: UEFI vendor: LENOVO
    v: R12ET64P(1.34 ) date: 02/23/2024
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 50.2 Wh (99.5%) condition: 50.5/50.5 Wh (100%)
CPU:
  Info: quad core model: AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U w/ Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx
    bits: 64 type: MT MCP cache: L2: 2 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 1230 min/max: 1400/2100 cores: 1: 1230 2: 1230 3: 1230
    4: 1230 5: 1230 6: 1230 7: 1230 8: 1230
Graphics:
  Device-1: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Picasso/Raven 2 [Radeon Vega
    Series / Radeon Mobile Series] driver: amdgpu v: kernel
  Device-2: Chicony Integrated Camera (1280x720@30) driver: uvcvideo
    type: USB
  Display: wayland server: X.org v: 1.21.1.21 with: Xwayland v: 24.1.9
    compositor: kwin_wayland driver: X: loaded: amdgpu unloaded: modesetting
    dri: radeonsi gpu: amdgpu resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz
  API: EGL v: 1.5 drivers: kms_swrast,radeonsi,swrast
    platforms: gbm,wayland,x11,surfaceless,device
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 compat-v: 4.5 vendor: amd mesa v: 26.0.4-arch1.1
    renderer: AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics (radeonsi raven ACO DRM 3.64
    8.0.0-rc7-1-MANJARO)
  API: Vulkan v: 1.4.341 drivers: radv surfaces: N/A
  Info: Tools: api: clinfo, eglinfo, glxinfo, vulkaninfo
    de: kscreen-console,kscreen-doctor wl: wayland-info x11: xdpyinfo,xprop
Audio:
  Device-1: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Raven/Raven2/Fenghuang HDMI/DP
    Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
  Device-2: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Audio Coprocessor
    driver: snd_pci_acp3x
  Device-3: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Ryzen HD Audio
    driver: snd_hda_intel
  API: ALSA v: k7.0.0-rc7-1-MANJARO status: kernel-api
  Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.6.3 status: active
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Wi-Fi 5 Wireless-AC 9x6x [Thunder Peak] driver: iwlwifi
  IF: wlp1s0 state: down mac: d6:76:65:90:09:5c
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    driver: r8169
  IF: enp3s0f0 state: down mac: f8:75:a4:30:8f:b7
  Device-3: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    driver: r8169
  IF: enp5s0 state: down mac: f8:75:a4:30:8f:b6
  IF-ID-1: wwan0 state: unknown mac: N/A
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Intel Wireless-AC 9260 Bluetooth Adapter driver: btusb type: USB
  Report: rfkill ID: hci0 state: up address: see --recommends
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 38.2 GiB (8.0%)
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: SK Hynix model: BC901 HFS512GEJ9X108N
    size: 476.94 GiB
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 97.59 GiB used: 38.03 GiB (39.0%) fs: xfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p4
  ID-2: /boot size: 3.86 GiB used: 147.7 MiB (3.7%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2
  ID-3: /boot/efi size: 299.4 MiB used: 32.6 MiB (10.9%) fs: vfat
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1
Swap:
  Alert: No swap data was found.
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 60.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: amdgpu temp: 59.0 C
  Fan Speeds (rpm): fan-1: 0 fan-2: 0
Info:
  Memory: total: 16 GiB note: est. available: 13.53 GiB used: 2.97 GiB (22.0%)
  Processes: 278 Uptime: 34m Shell: Zsh inxi: 3.3.40

lspci -nn | grep 8086:7360

 $ lspci -nn | grep 8086:7360
04:00.0 Cellular controller/modem [0d40]: Intel Corporation XMM7360 LTE Advanced Modem [8086:7360] (rev 01)

nmcli -m 0

 $ mmcli -m 0
  ----------------------------------
  General  |                   path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Modem/0
           |              device id: b776b707c73cf296b6228e1f1aa09ba6436100e4
  ----------------------------------
  Hardware |           manufacturer: Fibocom
           |                  model: L850 LTE Module","L850
           |      firmware revision: 18500.5001.00.04.26.22
           |              supported: gsm-umts, lte
           |                current: gsm-umts, lte
           |           equipment id: 015550001546651
  ----------------------------------
  System   |                 device: /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.5/0000:04:00.0
           |                physdev: /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.5/0000:04:00.0
           |                drivers: iosm
           |                 plugin: Intel
           |           primary port: wwan0at1
           |                  ports: wwan0 (net), wwan0at1 (at), wwan0xmmrpc0 (xmmrpc)
  ----------------------------------
  Status   |         unlock retries: sim-pin (3), sim-puk (10), sim-pin2 (3)
           |                  state: connected
           |            power state: on
           |            access tech: lte
           |         signal quality: 9% (recent)
  ----------------------------------
  Modes    |              supported: allowed: 3g; preferred: none
           |                         allowed: 4g; preferred: none
           |                         allowed: 3g, 4g; preferred: none
           |                         allowed: 3g, 4g; preferred: 3g
           |                         allowed: 3g, 4g; preferred: 4g
           |                current: allowed: 3g, 4g; preferred: 4g
  ----------------------------------
  Bands    |              supported: utran-1, utran-4, utran-5, utran-8, utran-2, eutran-1, 
           |                         eutran-2, eutran-3, eutran-4, eutran-5, eutran-7, eutran-8, 
           |                         eutran-12, eutran-13, eutran-17, eutran-18, eutran-19, eutran-20, 
           |                         eutran-26, eutran-28, eutran-29, eutran-30, eutran-41, eutran-66
           |                current: utran-1, utran-4, utran-5, utran-8, utran-2, eutran-1, 
           |                         eutran-2, eutran-3, eutran-4, eutran-5, eutran-7, eutran-8, 
           |                         eutran-12, eutran-13, eutran-17, eutran-18, eutran-19, eutran-20, 
           |                         eutran-26, eutran-28, eutran-29, eutran-30, eutran-41, eutran-66
  ----------------------------------
  IP       |              supported: ipv4, ipv6, ipv4v6
  ----------------------------------
  3GPP     |                   imei: 015550001546651
           |            operator id: 23802
           |          operator name: Telenor DK
           |           registration: home
           |   packet service state: attached
  ----------------------------------
  3GPP EPS |   ue mode of operation: csps-2
           | initial bearer ip type: ipv4v6
  ----------------------------------
  SIM      |       primary sim path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/SIM/0
  ----------------------------------
  Bearer   |                  paths: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Bearer/0

ip a

 $ ip a
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host noprefixroute 
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: wwan0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc fq_codel state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/none 
    inet 10.181.147.199/0 brd 255.255.255.255 scope global noprefixroute wwan0
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
3: enp3s0f0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc fq_codel state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether f8:75:a4:30:8f:b7 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enxf875a4308fb7
4: enp5s0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc fq_codel state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether f8:75:a4:30:8f:b6 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enxf875a4308fb6
5: wlp1s0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 3e:16:02:f5:8b:db brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff permaddr 7c:b2:7d:c2:87:dd
    altname wlx7cb27dc287dd

Joco1992 · 14 April 2026 06:00

Thanks for your help and your work — I really appreciate it. Feel free to send me the files (you can link them here or just PM me).

Right now I’m working on two “drivers” (only on weekends): one is visual (GUI), and the other is command-line based (CLI).

linux-aarhus · 14 April 2026 06:36

The packages are part of my custom repo

Make sure you remove all remnants of customized files - xmm7360 etc - as not doing may introduce weird errors or issues where you cannot make it work.

The T495 and X395 is essentially the same system in different sizes and weight class.

With the packages ModemManager will handle the modem which in turn integrates it in NetworkManager

Lenovo firmware package content.

I have extracted data from the Lenovo driver package and I have an untested theory that it might be possible to update the modem firmware using Hirens BootCD.

Extract the ManjaroLenovoFibocom.tar.gz archive.

Inside the archive is WWAN/20260904.06325587/ which contains the files used to setup the driver on Windows.

The folder WWAN/20260904.06325587/Source/FwUpdateDriver/ contains what I think may be a tool to update the modem firmware on Windows using a Windows PE to do the update.

EDIT: @Joco1992

Clarification

Windows PE can be used to execute a maintenance task on a computer system - e.g. firmware update - when the task requires a Windows environment to execute.

Joco1992 · 14 April 2026 08:50

I understand, but that approach would be very difficult, since Windows is not open source. I once had the same idea of extracting it from a Windows system, but I couldn’t get it to work (I mentioned this in one of my earlier comments). I also had an experience where I had to downgrade a driver from Windows 10 to Windows 7, but despite all the hacks I tried, the driver just wouldn’t cooperate.

https://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/417907-windows-7-drivers-intel-wireless-ac-9260-a-4.html

linux-aarhus · 14 April 2026 09:11

I think we are talking past each other - what I mean is - Hirens BootCD is a Windows PE you can legally use to do rescue and recovery on Windows systems.

Having the content of the package, will allow you to - when booted to the Windows PE - environment - to execute a Windows firmware update tool - thus skip the need for creating a custom firmware upgrade tool.

EDIT: @Joco1992

Clarification

Windows PE can be used to execute a maintenance task on a computer system - e.g. firmware update - when the task requires a Windows environment to execute.

dmt · 14 April 2026 16:22

Why would it need to be open source for you to run software (a firmware updater) made for Windows?

Not the same idea.

Please re-read @linux-aarhus’s posts.