NetworkManager's ModemManager Now Speaks MBIM

ModemManager, the component of NetworkManager for dealing with mobile broadband devices and other modem hardware, now has support for the new MBIM protocol.

MBIM is short for the Mobile Broadband Interface Model and is a USB-based protocol for host/device connections of desktops/laptops/tablets/mobile devices. The MBIM 1.0 specification that was ratified in 2011 supports multiple IP connections per USB interface, power-friendly, enables device-agnostic mobile broadband class drivers, drops the need for AT-commands and other crude control channel mechanisms, and minimizes overhead.

Thanks to recent ModemManager work, MBIM is now supported. Features of this initial implementation cover PIN unlock/change/enable/disable capabilities, 3GPP modem support (GSM, HSPA, LTE, etc), and basic connectivity support. Not covered yet are most of the side-features like SMS messaging, location data, and other features.

Aside from needing the very latest Git master of ModemManager, a new FreeDesktop.org-hosted "libmbim" library is needed as well for this Mobile Broadband Interface Model support.