IoT SIM Cards explained

What is a SIM card?

A SIM or Subscriber Identity Card is used to identify devices as they try to connect to a cellular network. They are usually billed monthly and there are 2 main models

1, Traditional SIM - Usually a single provider using partnerships around the globe to access a single network per region. These do not typically give the connectivity and reliability needed for IoT deployments as there are no back up options should there be an outage or change in agreements. Also, the user deploying the devices has no options or control on which networks the devices operate on. 

2, The modern SIM model - this can use the advantages of multiple IMSI's on a single SIM profile (with each IMSI able to give access to several or even hundreds of different networks). The beauty of this is it creates an overlapping network for better choice and reliability.

 SIM card sizes

Common sizes / form factors of IoT SIM cards are:

• 2FF, also known as Mini SIM: 25mm x 15mm
• 3FF, also known as Micro SIM: 15mm x 12mm
• 4FF, also known as Nano SIM: 12.3 x 8.8mm
• MFF2, embedded SIM: 6 x 5mm
• USON-8, embedded SIM: 2 x 2mm
• iSIM, Integrated SIM: Less than 1mm Sq

For wearables and similar tiny devices, the seemingly small and common sizes of transferrable SIM cards are still too large, hence the embedded or integrated SIM which is manufactured directly onto a PCB during production. 

Examples of IoT Devices

There are now billions of IoT devices of all shapes and sizes throughout the world but a few examples are 

Utilities = Smart water or energy meter

Healthcare = Fitness watches 

Transportation = Vehicle trackers

Retail = Bluetooth beaconing for instore promotions

Manufacturing = Cobots or robots

AgriTech = Wireless moisture sensors for Farms

Why an IoT SIM Card?

An IoT SIM Card (or sometimes known as a M2M or machine to machine sim card) often has different needs from a standard SIM card used for mobile phones. The live data collection coupled with alerts or warnings for instance means a multi network and multi carrier approach is necessary to ensure robust connectivity. These SIM cards can be referred to by some as Global SIM's.  

What is a Network Profile?

This contains the operator subscription including authentication credentials and SIM based software and applications.

There are 2 types

Operational type - Provides a device with full access to the operator network. You can download and new profile to avoid needing to change out the existing SIM.

Bootstrap or Provisioning profile - enables a device to access a cellular network in order to communicate with the system when it first starts up. It is then possible to download and activate an operational profile for the device. 

What is RSP or Remote SIM Provisioning?

RSP is the secure management of network profiles using over the air commands or updates.

Talk to us about your IoT deployments and let us (and our partnerships) help you leverage the best and most cost effective digitalisation tools.