Why is an IoT SIM allowed to use multiple mobile networks?

Our IoT SIM cards can also use several mobile networks within a country because we have corresponding roaming contracts with network operators. These allow our IoT SIMs to use other mobile networks not only when they are abroad, but also within Germany. Without these roaming agreements, a SIM card would always be tied to its home network, i.e. that of the SIM-issuing provider. For our IoT SIM cards and M2M plans , we have concluded these roaming agreements with a large number of network operators in order to be able to offer our customers high data volumes at favorable conditions wherever in the world possible.

What is the difference between an M2M and an IoT SIM card?

Strictly speaking, there is no difference between an M2M SIM card and an IoT SIM card. Both terms mean the same type of SIM card and have the same task: to enable IoT end devices to access the mobile network in order to transmit data. In addition to M2M and IoT SIM card, there are also terms such as multi-network SIM card or multi-IMSI SIM card.

Why should I use cellular over IoT SIM cards for my IoT project at all?

There are many good reasons for using mobile communications or IoT SIM cards for data transmission. For one thing, mobile communications is an established, proven and, above all, standardized technology that is available almost everywhere, even across borders. In addition, IoT SIMs enable wireless networking of IoT end devices. Particularly for devices that are on the move, a connection via cable is hardly feasible. For remote end devices, the use of an IoT SIM is usually much more cost-effective than laying cables to the desired location. Another advantage of an IoT SIM card over cable is that the connection is much faster. Those who use an IoT SIM card for data transmission from the outset also benefit from a connection backup that is virtually supplied directly: due to the use of several mobile networks, an IoT SIM almost never loses the connection. If one mobile network is not (or no longer) available at the location, the connection is established via the next one.

IoT SIM card with worldwide coverage

IoT SIM card from wherever SIM: Your advantages

Use our IoT SIM card in the free trial kit for companies and benefit from all the features of our IoT solution.

Best network coverage

Several mobile networks within one country in just one tariff (national roaming)

Worldwide Coverage

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

Simple IoT SIM management

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

Flexible IoT data plans

Data pool, free pausing and much more. - Customizable to the needs of your IoT project

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Features of the IoT SIM card from wherever SIM

Not all IoT SIMs are the same - some of the features of our IoT SIM card differ significantly from our competitors' solutions

With other IoT SIM providers:

Choice of mobile network based on price, not quality
Reduced selection: only the cheapest networks
Forced activation of unused SIM cards
Rigid tariff options and minimum terms
Outsourced call center without expertise

I would like to change that

With the IoT SIM card from wherever SIM:

Automatically always in the best local mobile network, >485 networks worldwide
Support from IoT experts at all times
A fixed contact person, even for worldwide deployment
In the event of a power failure: backup through a large number of networks
Full flexibility: cancel, pause or adjust on a monthly basis
Optional security features: APN, VPN, IPsec, IMEI lock and much more.
Customized IoT tariffs & prices

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Comparison of IoT SIM card formats and types

In order to meet the many different requirements and conditions of end devices and machines, IoT SIM cards are available in various formats. In addition to the classic IoT SIM formats mini, micro and nano, there are embedded SIMs that can be soldered on directly as a chip.

In addition to the standard version of the various formats, there is also an "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

Data tariffs for IoT SIM cards

IoT tariffs from wherever SIM: Tailored to every IoT project

Regardless of whether for M2M or IoT projects - the special requirements for the mobile radio tariff are important when used for such projects. The effort and costs involved in commissioning, maintaining and monitoring the devices must be in proportion to their value, even for devices with a relatively low value - especially if the number of units far exceeds one thousand. For this reason, traditional mobile phone tariffs with monthly bills or contract terms of 12 months or more are often unsuitable for IoT applications.
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As it is primarily about transferring data, IoT tariffs must cover a significantly larger tariff bandwidth: Data requirements range from just a few kilobytes to several gigabytes, depending on the application. Accordingly, there are a variety of different IoT tariffs and billing options specifically for IoT projects. You can easily buy the right M2M SIM card for your projects and tailor it to your requirements
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Data pooling

With the data pooling option, we offer a shared volume quota for all your active IoT SIM cards. This means that any outliers on individual SIM cards are balanced out by the lower consumption of other M2M SIMs.

Pay-as-you-go

Whether your application requires only a few KB or several MB: With Pay-as-you-go you only pay for the data you use. The billing is done in fair 1-KB increments.

Flex tariff

With the Flex tariff, you benefit from the fact that the activated IoT SIM cards automatically switch to the right tariff for you based on your individual data consumption.

Low data & heavy users:

Whether 1 KB or over 10 GB: we can even offer attractive prices and packages for M2M SIM cards and IoT projects with particularly high data consumption.

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Get a free M2M test SIM

IoT SIM cards with data pool

Data pooling is a very popular tariff model. In this constellation, all IoT SIM cards assigned to the pool use a shared data quota. This is particularly useful if the data consumption of an individual IoT SIM card fluctuates, but the additional consumption of individual SIM cards can be offset by the lower consumption of other SIMs. In data pooling, the data volume available for all IoT SIMs usually increases by a fixed amount with each additional active IoT SIM card. This means that the data volume grows in line with the number of active IoT SIM cards without users having to take anything into account or make any additional settings for each activation.
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LTE-M and NB-IoT: mobile communications technologies for IoT SIM cards

In addition to the different data packages, the available network technologies also play an important role for an IoT SIM card. In addition to the "classics" 2G, 3G and 4G, our IoT SIM cards can also use 5G networks and newer transmission technologies specially developed for the Internet of Things, such as NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) or LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines). NB-IoT and LTE-M, for example, are particularly suitable for applications that need to transmit data as energy-efficiently as possible or from areas that are difficult to access, such as basements.
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