Microsoft mobile operator configuration portal guide

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This article introduces the Microsoft mobile operator configuration portal to create COSA database submissions.

The mobile operator configuration portal has replaced the previous APN spreadsheet for making changes to the COSA database. The mobile operator configuration portal is a web-based tool that allows mobile operators to submit APN updates to the COSA database. The mobile operator configuration portal is available to all mobile operators that have a Microsoft representative.

Create your account

If you don't yet have a mobile operator configuration portal account, follow these steps to create one.

  1. Start by reaching out to your Microsoft representative (Premier Support, Windows Ecosystem Enablement PM, Surface, etc.) and inform them you intend to onboard to the MO Configuration portal. You'll need to work with them to complete your MOCP onboarding. If you do not have a Microsoft representative, contact Microsoft Support by calling (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676).
  2. Navigate to the Microsoft mobile operator configuration portal (MO portal).
  3. Select Sign up now below the Sign in button.
  4. Enter your email address and select Send verification code.
  5. After you receive the verification code in your email, enter it and select Verify.
  6. Enter a temporary password and select Create to send your request to the mobile operator configuration portal team.
  7. Send an email to your Microsoft representative to get your account approved for portal access.
  8. After getting confirmation from your Microsoft representative, navigate back to the mobile operator configuration portal and select Sign Up again.
  9. Verify your email, then enter a new non-temporary password and select Create. This is your sign-in password going forward.

Introduction to COSA

COSA is made up of the following:

  • Targets: These are the network / SIM identifiers Windows uses to match COSA settings to a device.
  • One SIM setting: These are settings Windows uses to change the experience such as branding, icons, and account management.
  • One or more connections: These are settings that specify how the device connects to the network. This includes the APN, and APN related settings

Each COSA entry is also called a COSA profile.

For a given COSA profile, you can specify multiple targets (different MCC, MNC pair; different IMSI or ICCID range), and a list of APNs to try to connect to (5G APNs, Internet APN, IMS APN, and so on).

For logo and branding, you can only specify one per COSA entry. If you need to add a second logo or branding, you'll need to create a new COSA entry with a different target. For instance, if you'd like a specific range of ICCIDs to have a different logo and branding, please create a second COSA profile specifying the new target and updated logo and branding. Don't forget to fill out the connection settings as well, even if the same APN is used.

Creating a new draft

The MO Config Portal uses drafts to handle changes to COSA. After logging into the MOCP, you'll find yourself on the draft management page. Here, you can create a new draft to start reviewing and modifying COSA settings.

  1. Sign into the Microsoft mobile operator configuration portal.
  2. Select New draft.
  3. Fill out the fields labeled Title, Description, and Background. To the best of your knowledge at this time. You'll have an opportunity to update these fields again before submitting.

Modifying a draft

Once a draft has been created, you can start editing. Select the draft you'd like to modify. On the right side of the page, the draft metadata is populated. Here, you can modify the drafts Description and Background fields. When you're ready to make changes to COSA, select Open draft . This brings you to the COSA editing page.

On the left side of the COSA editing page is the COSA profile menu. This menu should list the COSA profiles tied to your MO. You can also create a new profile by selecting New profile. If you believe you should see a profile not currently listed, please reach out to MOPortalSupport@microsoft.com.

Selecting a profile from the left menu opens that profile for editing. The menu on the left shows the different types of settings available to be edited.

To change the name of the profile, you can select the three dots to the right of the profile's name.

Remember to select Save draft periodically to save your changes. From this page, you can also Create a test package, to test your changes. When you're ready to submit, you can submit your changes.

Add a new target

This section demonstrates how to add a new MCC, MNC pair to your COSA profile.

  1. Open the correct profile you want to modify. If you have more than one profile, ensure you're modifying the right profile.

    • Check your profile APN values (optional)

      1. Open Connections > Cellular > Connection
      2. Make sure it's the right APN. You can have multiple connections if you have more than one APN value for this COSA profile.

    • Check that your MCC, MNC pair doesn't exist in the current target list (optional)

      1. Open Targets
      2. Check each target to ensure there's no duplicate of what you want to create. If you see more than one target, check each of them one by one.

  2. Select + to add a new target to your profile, and go to the new target added to your list. This is usually the last one in the Targets list. If you don't see any new targets, make sure you click on the drop-down beside the Targets.

  3. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Modify an existing target

This section demonstrates how to change an MCC, MNC value pair, add or change SPN, PNN, GID1, ICCID, or IMSI range.

  1. Open the correct profile you want to modify. If you have more than one profile, make sure you're modifying the correct profile.

    • Check your profile APN values. (optional)
    • Check that your MCC, MNC pair doesn't exist in the current target list. (optional)

  2. Look for the target you want to modify, then either:

    • Modify the MCC, MNC.
    • Add SPN, PNN, GID1, ICCID range, IMSI range.
    • Modify SPN, PNN, GID1, ICCID range, IMSI range.

  3. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Modify SIM branding

  1. Open the correct profile you want to modify. If you have more than one profile, make sure you're modifying the correct profile.

    • Check your profiles' APN values. (optional)
    • Check that your MCC, MNC pair doesn't exist in the current target list. (optional)

  2. Navigate to Cellular > PerSimSettings > SettingsForSim, then either:

    • Add or remove a mobile operator logo.
    • Define the AccountExperienceURL or add an AppID to automatically install applications.
    • Change the BrandingName associated with your SIM card and when this will be used.
    • Specify when BrandingName will also be used.

    Here's the list of possible settings:

    • AccountExperienceURL - The Web URL for the mobile operator's MBB user account experience. If both AppID and AccountExperienceURL are specified, AppID gets higher precedent and the AccountExperienceURL won't display.

    • AppID - The package family name (PFN) and application ID of a mobile operator's companion app.

    • BrandingName - The name for the mobile operator to be displayed on the UX. If no information is provided, the HomeProviderName is displayed.

    • UseBrandingNameOnRoaming - When the BrandingName will be used.

      • Use only when connected to the home network.
      • Use when connected to the home network and domestic roaming.
      • Use when connected to the home network, domestic roaming, and international roaming.

    • BrandingIcon - A custom logo that appears in the Windows Connection Manager next to your network entry. See Desktop COSA database settings for more information on BrandingIcon.

    Requirements:

    • Icons must have a transparent background and smooth edges.

    • Test the icon with both light and dark themes.

    • Icons must meet the following format and size requirements:

      • 256 x 256: 32-bit + Alpha
      • 48 x 48: 32-bit + Alpha
      • 48 x 48: 8-bit 256 color
      • 48 x 48: 4-bit 16 color
      • 32 x 32: 32-bit + Alpha
      • 32 x 32: 8-bit 256 color
      • 32 x 32: 4-bit 16 color
      • 24 x 24: 32-bit + Alpha
      • 24 x 24: 8-bit 256 color
      • 24 x 24: 4-bit 16 color
      • 16 x 16: 32-bit + Alpha
      • 16 x 16: 8-bit 256 color
      • 16 x 16: 4-bit 16 color

  3. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Add a new APN

  1. Open the correct profile you want to modify. If you have more than one profile, make sure you're modifying the correct profile.

    • Check your profiles' APN values. (optional)
    • Check that your MCC, MNC pair doesn't exist in the current target list. (optional)

  2. Select + beside Cellular and look for the new Connection added to your list. This is usually the last one in the Targets list.

    • Add the APN values. If you don't see a new Connection, make sure you have clicked on the drop-down next to Cellular.

    Common APN settings:

    • AccessPointName – In GSM networks, Access Point Name (APN) such as "data.contoso.com"

    • AlwaysOn – Automatically connect and stay connected until the user manually disconnects.

    • AutoConnectOrder – The order of which APN to test first. If nothing is specified, Windows picks the order randomly.

    • FriendlyName – An easy to understand description of this APN entry for example "Prepaid APN" or "Postpaid APN". Windows shows the FriendlyName instead of the APN name to simplify the end user experience.

    • IPType – Which IP type is supported - IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6.

    • PurposeGroup – How this APN is used.

      Setting Description GUID
      Internet Used for general Internet traffic. (default) 3E5545D2-1137-4DC8-A198-33F1C657515F
      MMS 53E2C5D3-D13C-4068-AA38-9C48FF2E55A8
      IMS Used for IMS traffic. (LTE attach) 474D66ED-0E4B-476B-A455-19BB1239ED13
      SUPL 6D42669F-52A9-408E-9493-1071DCC437BD
      eSIM Provisioning Used for eSIM bootstrap connectivity. a36e171f-2377-4965-88fe-1f53eb4b47c0

      You can put more than one purpose in a comma delimited list.

    • Roaming – The roaming conditions under which the connection should be activated.

      Setting Description
      Disallowed Home network only
      Allowed (default) All roaming conditions (home and roaming)
      DomesticRoaming Home and domestic roaming only
      UseOnlyForDomesticRoaming Domestic roaming only
      UseOnlyForNonDomesticRoaming Non-domestic roaming only
      UseOnlyForRoaming Roaming only

    Optionally, if you require a username and password:

    • AuthType - The Auth Protocol element specifies the authentication protocol to be used for activating a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context.

      Setting Description
      None No authentication protocol is required. (default)
      PAP PAP authentication protocol is required.
      CHAP Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol(CHAP) protocol is required.

    • Username – The case sensitive user name to connect to your APN.

    • Password – APN connection password. Can be set to blank.

    The rest of the settings can be left blank or at their default value.

  3. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Update APN, other connection settings

  1. Open the correct profile you want to modify. If you have more than one profile, make sure you're modifying the correct profile.

    • Check your profiles' APN values. (optional)
    • Check that your MCC, MNC pair doesn't exist in the current target list. (optional)

  2. Look for the Connection you want to modify, then modify any of the values there.

  3. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Specify an APN to be used for a hotspot connection

  1. Add a new connection and set its APN.
  2. Set the Purpose Group to the Internet GUID listed above.
  3. Set AlwaysOn to disabled.
  4. Fill in the FriendlyName, IPType, and any other relevant settings.
  5. Navigate to HotSpot on the left menu.
  6. Set Enabled to True.
  7. Set DedicatedConnections to the name of your APN's connection. You can find this by clicking on Connections and then Cellular on the left menu. Find the connection that contains the APN you'd like to set for your hotspot. The name of the connection is the text in bold following the string "Connection - ". For example, an MO in the United States may have a connection name that looks like "Contoso (United States)_i0$(_MVID)@WAP"
  8. Fill out any other relevant fields under HotSpot.
  9. Select Save draft, add a note, then select Save.

Create a test package

Test packages are generated from the server. You must save all changes before you download a test package. If the settings aren't saved as a draft, your test package won't have your latest settings.

  1. Choose the Windows version.

    • Run winver on the PC you want to test to check your Windows version.

  2. Choose the test package to download.

  3. Follow the steps in Test your submission for desktop COSA to test your COSA package file.

    Note

    Open an administrator command prompt. If you are running in S-mode, you will need to switch out of S-mode first.

Making a submission

Once you've made your changes and tested your submission using the instructions above, you're ready to submit your change.

Start by clicking on the submit button at the bottom of your draft. Remember, Microsoft won't test your changes with your network. The MO must confirm that the settings are accurate and work as expected.

Update the fields on the submission box to the latest information. Provide as much detail as possible to reduce any friction during reviewal. In the Background field, confirm that the submission has been tested. If you aren't* an MO, confirm that you have written approval from the MO to make changes to their COSA settings and approval of the specific changes.

For non-MOs (OEMs, IHVs, vendors, etc.) please work with your Microsoft representative to provide written verification from the MO that you have approval to make COSA changes on their behalf.

Viewing submission status

Once a submission has been made, you can view the status of your submissions from the Submissions page. From this page you can see a table of both your active submissions and all previous submissions.

Active submissions are in the Pending state. Once a submission is reviewed, its state is updated to either Accepted or Rejected and will be moved to the previous submissions table.

Selecting an active submission shows the submission metadata on the right side of the page. Active submissions can be modified or discarded before being reviewed. You can modify an active submission by selecting the submission and selecting Open submission at the bottom of the page. Active submissions can be discarded by selecting the submission and selecting Discard submission.

During review, the COSA review team might choose to send a message back to the submitter through the MOCP. Submissions with comments from the review team will have a red exclamation mark next to them. Selecting a submission with comments from the review team will display the comments with the submission metadata on the right side of the page.

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