With so many connected devices expected to hit the market in the coming years, SIMs (Subscriber Identity Modules) are also becoming crucial to the Internet of Things (IoT), where connecting devices to cellular networks is booming.
From connected street lights to a telematics unit mounted on a delivery truck, the basic principle of the SIM is the same in IoT and consumer devices alike: the SIM governs the cellular connection. However, IoT devices operate independently, most often without human intervention. What’s more, they often need to operate in challenging environments – deep indoors, in rural areas or urban canyons. Whether they’re part of stationary or moving machines or working within a limited geographical region, each IoT deployment has its own unique requirements, and these very specific operating constraints can add to the SIM challenge.
Equipped with its own operating system, memory, and security features, the SIM interacts with the cellular network, identifies the device, authenticates it, and then controls the modem it’s connected to, to open a channel for communication. But when it comes to IoT, connected devices behave differently, have different technical requirements and use different business models than consumer devices. Since traditional SIMs for IoT applications tend to increase complexity, they are clearly not an effective long-term solution for connecting large scale IoT deployments.
IoT’s SIM challenge
Using traditional SIMs for IoT connectivity can result in lapses in coverage, interruptions in data transmission, and can make operations more complex. At the same time, companies have little choice but to use the same technologies deployed in consumer devices when selecting a service plan (and SIM) for IoT devices. Those connecting IoT applications are learning that the network-centric model, which ties a SIM to a particular provider, doesn’t always make sense for IoT devices.
Advantages of IoT-specific SIM – a pure player MVNO proposition
While mobile phones and IoT devices both use SIMs to access cellular networks, the similarity essentially ends there. Unlike consumer devices, IoT devices are often deployed in large fleets that need to be kept online and managed by the service provider remotely.
Maximum coverage
To ensure IoT devices connect whenever and wherever they need to, the SIM must access more networks than any single operator can provide (even a roaming SIM from a large operator alliance). When outfitted with an IoT-specific SIM, there is no need to negotiate separate contracts with each provider.
Superior Data Connections
Constantly monitoring the data connection and selecting the best network in any given location means consistent, resilient transmissions, so IoT devices can stay online 24/7.
Longer Lifecycles
Many IoT devices still connect to 2G networks. As 2G networks begin to be replaced, SIMs must have options so that it’s not tied to a particular provider. At the same time, as IoT devices transition to LTE, the SIM will need to be compatible with those networks. Remote updates, an IoT-specific SIM feature, provides an added level of flexibility and help eliminate obsolescence, making it possible to keep pace with the inevitable changes associated with providers and networks.
Competitive Advantage
Lower operating costs and fewer management headaches will make it easier to focus on what really matters. Connectivity becomes the least of your worries, so you can spend time on other things, like differentiating the product and introducing unique services.
By breaking free from the cellphone model, IoT devices will have increased flexibility, performance, and efficiency.
An IoT-specific SIM enables superior performance by providing the best coverage, connecting to most networks in all countries, and the most flexibility, with connectivity that’s always operator-independent. As a consequence, IoT devices do what they need to do, with the broadest possible coverage and the greatest degree of freedom and resilience.
Edited by
Ken Briodagh
