What is an M2M SIM card?

M2M is the abbreviation for machine-to-machine and means that machines communicate with each other or exchange data. An M2M SIM card in turn ensures that machines and other devices have access to the internet or mobile network in order to transmit data. We provide an overview of the features and benefits of an M2M SIM card and why you should choose wherever SIM !

The M2M SIM card with the best connection

1,300+ companies worldwide rely on wherever SIM

M2M SIM cards explained in 30 seconds

  • M2M SIM cards are specially developed for IoT (Internet of Things) devices for so-called M2M(machine-to-machine) communication. They enable the exchange of data via a connection to the internet via mobile radio.
  • Compared to normal SIM cards for end consumers, M2M SIM cards enable a more stable mobile connection at almost any location worldwide because the mobile networks can be used by far more than just one network operator. In addition to the familiar 4G and 5G technologies, LTE-M is also frequently supported, which is more energy-efficient and also offers better range.
  • M2M SIM cards have advanced security and management options for companies. They can be easily integrated into company processes via a web portal and API. They are used in areas such as security, logistics, e-mobility and energy technology.
  • The following terms are also frequently used for M2M SIM cards: IoT SIM card, multi-net SIM, roaming SIM, global SIM or multi-IMSI SIM.
M2M sim card - wherever SIM

Why buy an M2M SIM card?

If you want to buy a reliable M2M SIM card, wherever SIM is the right place for you: Our M2M SIM cards automatically connect to the best available local network - worldwide in over 190 countries and 485+ mobile networks.

Unlike with conventional SIMs, you retain full control over your data consumption at all times, activate SIMs flexibly in the customer portal and use tariffs that are precisely tailored to your IoT or M2M project - from individual devices to large-scale rollouts.

M2M tariffs with worldwide network coverage

Your benefits when you buy an M2M SIM card from wherever SIM

Unlike conventional network operators, wherever SIM provides you with a network-independent solution. Our M2M SIMs work in devices of all kinds - from alarm systems to industrial control units - and deliver maximum availability thanks to national roaming and global coverage.

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    100% network independence
    (no steered roaming contracts)
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    Secure data communication via VPN and private APNs
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    Robustness thanks to industrial quality
    (-40 to +105 °C)
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    Real-time management in the online portal
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    Data pools & limit management
M2M tariffs with worldwide network coverage
National Roaming

National Roaming

Access to any mobile network in the EU via national roaming, e.g. to the networks of providers like Orange, Vodafone & BT.

Free Network Selection

Free Network Selection

Always access to the strongest mobile network at the location as standard - steered roaming on request.

Worldwide Coverage

Worldwide Coverage

>485 networks in 189+ countries for your M2M project. You can also use networks in neighboring countries near the border.

IoT Sim with the fastest possible speed

Always The Fastest Speed

We do not throttle. With our IoT SIMs, you can use the fastest possible speed on site at all times. We support the technologies 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE), 3G (UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+), 4G (LTE/LTE Advanced), LTE-M , NB-IoT and 5G.

NB-IoT and LTE-M

NB-IoT and LTE-M (LTE Cat M1)

NB-IoT and LTE-M are particularly suitable for devices that need to save power or are difficult to reach behind walls. Many network operators worldwide already support this technology and more are being added every week. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Data SMS

Data, SMS (and Voice)

Our M2M SIM cards support data transmission and SMS as standard, voice calls on request.

Our features at a glance

Connectivity
  • National Roaming
  • By default, free network selection without network preference (non-steered / non-steered roaming)
  • steered roaming / steered roaming on request
  • Worldwide access to 485 networks in 189+ countries
  • Always the fastest speed – no bandwidth throttling
  • SMS
  • Voice (on request)
  • 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE)
  • 3G (UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+)
  • 4G (LTE/LTE Advanced)
  • 5G
  • LTE-M (LTE Cat M1)
  • NB-IoT (in future)
SIM management
  • Customer portal incl. real-time data
  • Activate, deactivate and pause SIM cards
  • Set individual data limits for SIM cards
  • send SMS
  • SIM-Inventory
  • All features available via API
  • Push API
  • Data Streamer - REST API, Keen.io, Data Dog, AWS S3, AWS Kinesis (on request)
Security & Availability
  • Full geo-redundancy
  • 99.99% availability
  • Private APN
  • IPsec VPN (on request)
  • VPN or Amazon AWS Transit Gateway (on request)
  • Static private IPs from own private Subnet
  • IMEI lock
  • Custom DNS Server (on request)
  • DSGVO Compliant
  • Hosting in the EU
SIM card
  • Mini SIM cards (2FF)
  • Micro SIM cards (3FF)
  • Nano SIM cards (4FF)
  • Embedded SIM cards (MFF2)
  • eUICC (on request)
  • Industrial SIMs
  • Extreme temperatures from -40°C to +105°C
M2M sim card - wherever SIM
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Test 6 months free of charge
worldwide network coverage
M2M platform
The submitted data will only be processed for handling your request. You can find more information in our privacy policy.

An overview: Features and special characteristics of M2M SIM cards

An M2M SIM card is a SIM card that enables devices such as alarm systems, vending machines, trucks and many others to establish a connection to the mobile network and transmit data via it.

Redundancy

Redundancy

99,99 % availability through complete geo-redundancy of our data centers and a state-of-the-art architecture based on microservices.

IMEI-Lock

IMEI-Lock

Restrict the use of a SIM card to a specific device based on the IMEI (unique identification number of a mobile phone device). 

2-Factor-Authentication

2-factor login

Double protection when logging into the online portal: 2-factor authentication protects your data in the wherever SIM portal from unauthorized access.

The M2M SIM is to be understood as a kind of manual for the end device, in which it receives all the information it needs to establish the Internet connection. Accordingly, it is important that the end device is technically capable of processing the information provided by the M2M SIM. Successful IoT communication therefore requires both - a reliable M2M SIM card and an intelligent end device.

M2M SIM or IoT SIM card?

Strictly speaking, there is no difference between an M2M and an IoT SIM card. The two terms are often used interchangeably, even though IoT and M2M themselves do not actually mean the same thing.

Since M2M and IoT SIM cards are both technically SIM cards that provide information for connection to the mobile network, the difference between IoT and M2M is irrelevant for use. The devices in which M2M and IoT SIM cards are used are enabled by the SIMs to transmit and receive data. So if you are actually looking for an M2M SIM card, you can also use IoT SIM cards.

Electric cars at charging stations with IoT technology

Buy an M2M SIM card - in all formats, for every use

Whether mini (2FF), micro (3FF), nano (4FF) or embedded (MFF2): Our SIMs are available in all formats - including as a particularly robust industrial SIM with a long service life, over 1 million write cycles and 15 years of data retention.

Secure remote access with M2M SIM cards

On request, we can provide you with your own private IP subnet (a private APN). Access to the IoT SIM cards is therefore only possible via a secure IPsec VPN connection and is protected from third parties.

On request, we also offer you the option of using a static private IP address for the M2M SIM to easily access the SIM and device via a secure VPN. For secure and simple remote access, we also offer VPN on request.

VPN, APN and static IP addresses

Standard & Industrial: Different forms and properties of M2M SIMs

In order to meet the different requirements of end devices and machines, the SIM formats have been and are constantly being developed further. To ensure that the SIM cards themselves take up as little space as possible, the size has been significantly reduced, leaving more room for other components if required.
A basic distinction is made between the mini, micro and nano SIM card formats. There are also embedded SIMs, which are soldered directly into the modem as a chip. In addition to the standard version, the different formats are also available as "Industrial SIM". This more robust variant is designed for an extended temperature range and a longer service life, for example.

Available SIM Formats
Operating Temperature
Read/write Cycles
Data Retention
Standard M2M SIM

-25°C to +85°C

Read/write Cycles

500.000

10 years

Industrial M2M SIM

-40°C to +105°C

1.000.000

10 years at -40°C to +105°C
15 years at -25°C to +85°C

2FF, 3FF, 4FF

2FF, 3FF, MFF2

Network access: More networks for IoT projects

M2M SIMs have information and, if you like, "access keys" so that end devices can use a variety of mobile networks from different network operators both nationally and internationally (national roaming). This means they enable a connection for IoT and M2M projects almost everywhere.

Conventional SIM cards, especially in Germany, usually only provide the information for network usage of the SIM-issuing network operator, i.e. the provider with whom the mobile phone contract was concluded. However, the availability of this one network varies depending on the location: sometimes there is good reception, sometimes there is none at all.

To avoid connection interruptions in IoT and M2M projects as far as possible, M2M SIM cards also enable the use of different network operators in Germany (e.g. Telekom, Vodafone and O2 in Germany). M2M SIM cards are therefore also referred to as multi-network SIMs or roaming SIMs.

Multiple mobile networks at one location

With only one tariff. Automatic switch between different network providers for the best possible connection.

Multiple mobile networks at one location

Worldwide Coverage

Over 485 networks in 189+ countries, including mobile networks of neighboring countries when near the border.

Worldwide Coverage

Easy SIM management

99,99 % availability, geo redundancy, 2-factor-authentication, GDPR compliant and IMEI lock.

Easy SIM management

Monthly Cancellation

Simply activate, deactivate or pause M2M SIMs independently in the portal and save costs.

Monthly Cancellation
Wind turbine and solar field
M2M Sim Card from wherever SIM
Test wherever SIM free of charge
Test 6 months free of charge
worldwide network coverage
M2M platform

SIM management and monitoring via platform

M2M SIM cards are connected to a platform for easier management. Both the SIM cards and the associated endpoints are configured via this platform. For example, service profiles can be set up for M2M SIMs, SIM cards can be activated and deactivated or mobile networks can be excluded for use(blacklisting).

Comprehensive monitoring is also possible via such portals. Users can see the status of the end device, whether and to which network the SIM card is connected and how much data it is transmitting. In the event of a problem, various diagnostic functions such as a remote reset of the SIM card can help.

At wherever SIM , we offer a clear online portal and a comprehensive API for easier management of the M2M SIM cards, which can be used to transfer the data from our portal to your own systems.

M2M SIM management portal from whereverSIM

Frequently Asked Questions

Steffen Schliesing

Do you still have questions about our IoT SIM cards?

Let's talk!
Steffen Schliesing
Senior IoT Expert
sales@whereversim.de