M2M National Roaming ensures uninterrupted data transmission by giving your devices access to multiple mobile networks within a country. If a network fails or the connection is unstable, the M2M SIM card automatically switches to the strongest available network - without manual intervention.
Ideal for IoT and M2M applications such as smart metering, telematics or industrial automation
The IoT trend is currently growing like never before. The Internet of Things (IoT) is getting bigger and bigger and more IoT devices and objects are being connected with each other every day, including the provision of the associated information as part of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in a network. However, in order for the data collected by IoT devices to be processed in a network in the first place, it has to get into this network.
This is where mobile communications and our M2M SIM cards come into play. After all, collected data can be transmitted quickly and securely from any IoT device via mobile communications. Mobile communications is an established and standardized technology, and the infrastructure is available almost everywhere. And not just in Germany, but worldwide. This is why mobile radio is very often used for M2M communication.
The sticking point here is that nationwide availability, especially in Germany, is not achieved by a single network operator, but only by the mobile networks of all network operators together.
According to the Federal Network Agency (article retrieved on 10.03.2025), there is still a need to catch up in terms of network coverage by individual network operators: around 2% of the total area of Germany is not yet covered by broadband mobile coverage. There are still deficits in rural regions in particular, and in some regions the network of only one mobile network operator is available at most. The individual operators available vary from region to region.
This patchy coverage continues to highlight the relevance of using appropriate M2M SIM cards for IoT and M2M projects.
Unlike the SIM card from a private smartphone, an M2M SIM card can also use the networks of different network operators within a country, i.e. perform national roaming. M2M SIM cards are therefore also known as roaming SIM cards or multi-network SIMs. National roaming is possible because we, as a provider of M2M SIM cards, have concluded roaming agreements with various network operators. These agreements allow our M2M SIMs to connect to the networks of our contractual partners.
Not all national roaming is the same. There is a small but subtle distinction here that is very important for IoT and M2M projects. We are talking about controlled roaming and uncontrolled roaming.
With our SIM cards, it is not the network operatorthat counts, but only the strength of the available mobile network at a location. With our M2M roaming SIM, you therefore use unmanaged roaming. This is important because the availability of a mobile network fluctuates depending on the location: sometimes one provider's network is the strongest, sometimes another provider's is. If a provider issues M2M SIM cards itself, these are generally based on the network provider, not the network strength.
In concrete terms, this means that if provider V issues a SIM, it always tries to connect primarily to provider V's network - regardless of how poor the connection in its network is at the time. Only when V no longer offers a network is the IoT device allowed to log into another mobile network.
Prefers the provider's network operator
Regardless of the network strength, always give preference to the provider of the device
Stays in the mobile network of your own provider, even with a poor connection
Selects the mobile network based on the best local connection
Network change depending on the strength of the locally available mobile network
Switch to another provider if their network is better
No network independence, network change only in the event of failure of own provider
Full network independence, devices can choose the best network
Often with SIM cards issued by the network operator itself
Often for flexible IoT or M2M solutions that rely on the best network coverage
