Decoding LTE for IoT: Making the Right Connectivity Choice

Starting an IoT project requires thinking about connectivity from the outset. One of the first decisions you’ll face is how to connect your device, and choosing the right LTE standard is critical. This decision is even more pertinent now, considering the ongoing 2G/3G sunset, which is the phasing out of older cellular technologies. As these older networks go offline, ensuring your IoT devices are compatible with newer and supported standards becomes crucial. Your choice in network technology affects everything from the chipset and module you’ll select to the mobile networks you’ll partner with. Whether you’re exploring IoT deployments in areas like wearable tech, smart meters, or industrial automation, there are four primary LTE cellular options to sift through. Join us as we dive deeper into understanding how to select the LTE standard that aligns perfectly with your product needs, complemented by the typical use cases for each.

Understanding LTE

LTE, or “Long-Term Evolution,” represents the 4G wave of wireless communication standards. Its main objective? Quicker and more efficient broadband internet access for mobile devices. Born from 3GPP’s efforts, LTE has elevated user experience, paving the way for clear voice/video calls, HD streaming, and swift web browsing. While 5G promises even greater speeds, LTE continues as the crucial bridge between past networks and the next wireless tech frontier.

LTE Cat 1

LTE Cat-1 is optimized for devices needing low to medium bandwidth, making it increasingly relevant as 2G and 3G networks are phased out. Now, 4G LTE Cat-1 serves as the most cost-effective and widely available cellular standard capable of supporting video streaming features.

Speed & Capability: Cat-1 supports speeds of up to 10 Mbps downlink and 5 Mbps uplink. Latency of 50 to 100 milliseconds

Use Cases: Particularly suited for IoT applications with moderate data rates such as in-car asset tracking, video surveillance, POS and certain wearable devices.

Pros: Strikes a balance between speed and power efficiency.

Cons: May be excessive for simple sensors or basic telemetry.

LTE Cat 1 bis

Cat-1bis is essentially a streamlined version of LTE Cat-1, leveraging the same infrastructure and standards but with just a single antenna. This design choice offers several advantages: not only does it make the unit more cost-effective, but the single-antenna setup also enhances power efficiency. Importantly, you don’t have to sacrifice any of the features and benefits associated with the original LTE Cat-1.

Speed & Capability: Supports same speeds

Use Cases: Effective for applications that don’t require the full speed of Cat-1 but need something faster than Cat-M1, such as advanced wearables or smart home applications.

Pros: It offers a balanced blend of speed and power efficiency, leading to a design that’s simpler, more cost-effective, and compact.

Cons: While Cat-1bis might have slightly reduced coverage compared to the dual-antenna Cat-1, this difference seldom affects the overall user experience

LTE Cat-M1 (LTE-M)

LTE Cat-M1, also known as LTE-M, is a low power wide area (LPWA) technology that is part of the 3GPP Release 13 standard. It was specifically designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications.
Speed & Capability: Typically around 1 Mbps for both uplink and downlink.

Use Cases: Developed for a range of IoT applications like wearable health devices, fleet management, and smart meters.

Pros: Offers better building penetration and longer range than Cat-1, with efficient power usage suitable for battery-driven devices.

Cons: Limited global availability

LTE Cat NB1 (NB-IoT)

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is a low-power, wide-area technology designed for diverse IoT devices and services. Under the 3GPP Release 13 standard, it emphasizes indoor coverage, affordability, extended battery life, and high connection density. With a 200kHz bandwidth, it’s optimized for stationary devices transmitting data sporadically and doesn’t support mobility like LTE-M.

Speed & Capability: Narrowband speeds reaching approximately 60 kbps.

Use Cases: Its minimal data rates are ideal for applications where bandwidth isn’t a priority but battery life and deep penetration are, such as utility meters and agricultural sensors.

Pros: Extremely low power consumption, ensuring extended battery life and unmatched penetration features.

Cons: Not tailored for applications demanding regular data streams or larger data packets. Limited global availability.

LTE Cat 4

As part of the 3GPP Release 8 standard, LTE Cat 4 is designed for more data intensive applications and services. The technology uses multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) configurations and supports a higher level of modulation compared to its predecessors, allowing for increased data throughput.

Speed & Capability: Peaks at data rates of 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink.

Use Cases: It is well-suited for applications requiring high-speed data transfer, such as video streaming, online gaming, and high-quality video conferencing.

Pros: Offers high-speed data suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications. Widely adopted across many devices, ensuring good compatibility and support.

Cons: Power consumption is significantly higher compared to other IoT-centric LTE categories.

Choosing the right LTE Standard

Selecting the ideal LTE technology for your device hinges on various key considerations:

Power and Battery Life: Devices needing extended battery life should lean towards Cat-M1 or NB-IoT due to their efficient power consumption.

Coverage: For devices located deep within structures or underground, NB-IoT or Cat-M1 offer superior signal penetration.

Throughput & Latency: Cat-M1 provides moderate data transmission with reduced latency compared to NB-IoT, while LTE Cat-4 offers high-speeds suitable for data-intensive tasks.

Mobility: For roaming devices, consider the handover capabilities. Some LTE categories are best for stationary units, while others support dynamic mobility.

Budget: Higher bandwidth LTE types can be costlier. Ensure the choice matches your financial capacity.

Carrier Adoption: Examine carrier support and network coverage for your chosen LTE category, especially in your device’s region.

5G and the Future: As 5G emerges with revolutionary potential, its global infrastructure remains in its formative stages. For now, 4G LTE remains a dependable and cost-efficient solution for most IoT applications. Notably, LTE-M and NB-IoT are poised to stay relevant within the 5G landscape, but the longevity of LTE Cat1 amidst 5G’s rise is more ambiguous.

Get connected with Velocity IoT

Navigating the IoT landscape demands robust, future-proof connectivity solutions. Our VIoT-Flex multi-IMSI SIM cards offer seamless, global coverage across LTE/4G/3G/2G technologies, and are 5G ready. Partnering with Velocity IoT is not just about connectivity; it’s about forging a successful IoT journey together.

Ensure a prosperous IoT future with Velocity IoT. Ready to elevate your IoT connectivity? Reach out now.

Building IoT Success: The Crucial Role of Connectivity and Hardware Selection

Connectivity and the selection of IoT hardware are critical components for the success of any IoT implementation. Research conducted by Beecham Research reveals that approximately 50% of IoT projects fail during the pilot phase, often due to security challenges and neglecting the complexities of connectivity. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to prioritize connectivity throughout the entire lifecycle of an IoT project, whether integrating IoT functionality into an existing product or starting from scratch. This necessitates meticulous planning and ensuring that connectivity remains a top consideration from the proof of concept stage until the product’s end-of-life. In this blog post, we will explore the steps for success when selecting or designing your IoT device to ensure project success.

Define your business objectives and connectivity requirements.

To ensure a successful IoT project, it is essential to define your business case and connectivity requirements. Start by clearly outlining your business objectives, understanding the specific outcomes you aim to achieve through IoT implementation. Identify the pain points you want to address, the operational efficiencies you seek, or the new services you plan to offer. Next, delve into your connectivity requirements, considering factors such as geographic coverage, data bandwidth, latency, security, and scalability. By thoroughly defining your business case and connectivity needs, you lay a solid foundation for a targeted and effective IoT solution. When defining your connectivity needs here are some key actions to consider:

Connectivity Technologies: It is important to explore the various options available and what is to come. These options include cellular technologies like 4G and 5G, Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN) such as NB-IoT, CAT-M or LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, and satellite connectivity. Coming soon you will see Redcap and CAT 1.bis; each technology has its own advantages, limitations, and suitability based on your project’s specific needs. Assess these factors and determine which technology aligns best with your desired data rates, latency requirements, and energy efficiency.

Coverage and Roaming: Ensure the selected connectivity solution adequately covers the regions where you plan to deploy your IoT devices. If your project requires global reach, evaluate roaming capabilities and partnerships between connectivity providers. Look into modern solutions that allow you to benefit from local connectivity to ensure compliance and global coverage.

Security and Compliance: Address security and compliance requirements. Evaluate the connectivity provider’s measures for data encryption, authentication, and protection against potential threats. Ensure the chosen provider adheres to relevant industry regulations and data privacy standards.

Scalability and Future-proofing: When selecting a connectivity solution for your IoT project, consider its scalability to accommodate future growth. Managing multiple vendor relationships can complicate operations, especially when deploying globally. Opt for a connectivity partner that stays updated with emerging technologies and standards. Look for a provider that offers a single integration and platform to manage all cellular connectivity, streamlining operations and ensuring seamless scalability as your IoT deployment expands.

Choosing the right connectivity partner: The right connectivity partner will guide you in technology and SIM card selection, offer input on hardware selection, and provide comprehensive support for testing, ensuring a successful IoT project implementation.

Choose connectivity hardware that meets your requirements

Choosing hardware that aligns with your technical specifications and connectivity requirements is crucial. To facilitate this decision-making process, consider the following factors when choosing the appropriate hardware:

Does the device meet memory Size and processing power requirements?

IoT devices often require real-time processing and data analysis. Therefore, it’s crucial to select hardware components with sufficient processing power and memory to meet the demands of your project. Insufficient processing power and memory can lead to slow response times, data loss, and other issues.

Does the device meet your connectivity and communication needs?

Choose hardware components that support the communication and connectivity options that you need for your project. For example, if your project requires sending SMS notifications, you need to ensure that your device supports SMS. Another important consideration is whether the device will work in the country where you’re deploying. Different countries have different frequency bands and wireless standards, so it’s important to choose hardware components that are compatible with the wireless standards of the country where you’re deploying.

Is the Device Unlocked or Tied to a Connectivity Provider?

Before selecting hardware components for your IoT project, it’s important to determine if the device is unlocked or tied to a specific connectivity provider. Locked devices are often cheaper, but they limit your options for connectivity providers, which can be a significant problem if you’re deploying your project in a location where your preferred connectivity provider doesn’t have coverage.

Does It Have the Necessary Certifications?

Before deploying your IoT project, ensure that your hardware components meet the regulatory requirements of the target country. This includes obtaining safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), PTCRB, and carrier certifications. These certifications guarantee compliance with wireless network standards and enable seamless connectivity. Failure to obtain these certifications can lead to connectivity issues, project delays, and additional costs.

Why Velocity IoT is your ultimate IoT enablement partner

In conclusion, the success of any IoT implementation relies on connectivity and hardware selection. Velocity IoT’s global IoT SIM cards utilize eUICC compliant multi-IMSI technology, delivering cost-effective connectivity. Our solution is designed for IoT scale, offering regulatory compliance, autonomous carrier switching, improved performance and competitive data rates. Through remote SIM provisioning and access to 600+ carriers worldwide, Velocity IoT ensures simple, secure, and seamless global connectivity. Choose Velocity IoT to overcome roaming restrictions, reduce costs, future-proof your IoT project, and enhance network coverage.

Moreover, we provide comprehensive project support for successful IoT deployments. Our knowledgeable team assists in planning and implementing your solutions across all aspects of IoT.

Is Your Wireless Carrier the Right Choice For Your IoT Project?

Are you launching an IoT project? Have you considered whether your current wireless carrier is the right choice for your project? While it may be tempting to stick with what you know, it could end up being a costly mistake. Connectivity requirements are complex and often overlooked which can contribute to project failure. To ensure success, it’s important to consider the following factors when choosing a wireless carrier for your IoT project.

Network Coverage

IoT devices rely heavily on network connectivity. If your wireless carrier lacks reliable network coverage in the area where your devices will be deployed, your IoT project may encounter connectivity and reliability issues. Establishing relationships with multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) is a widely adopted practice. Although it may seem like a sensible initial step, managing multiple MNOs can quickly become a logistical nightmare in the long run. This includes the complexity of integrating each MNO and managing multiple SKUs.

If you’re planning to deploy IoT devices globally, ensure that your IoT service provider offers a platform that simplifies multi-MNO integrations and relationships for seamless connectivity. Additionally, check if the provider offers an efficient solution to navigate areas with poor coverage, enabling your IoT devices to operate without interruptions.

Bandwidth Requirements

IoT devices generate a significant volume of data that necessitates fast and dependable transmission. If your wireless carrier cannot meet the required bandwidth to support your IoT project, the performance of your devices will be compromised. It’s crucial to comprehend the specific bandwidth requirements of your IoT project and verify that your carrier can meet them, taking into account factors like the nature of your project. For instance, real-time video monitoring requires higher bandwidth than temperature-sensing applications.

Security

In today’s world, data security is a top priority for businesses across various industries. With the increasing use of IoT devices, asset security has become a sensitive topic, especially for companies deploying IoT programs across the globe. Depending on the nature of the IoT device, protecting sensitive customer data and ensuring network security is crucial. For instance, businesses in the healthcare, financial, and government sectors cannot afford to have a data breach, making it essential to have a reliable IoT service provider that offers a multilayered security approach that safeguards your devices and backend systems.

Scalability and flexibility

Scalability and flexibility are crucial components of any successful IoT project. However, many MNO models have not yet caught up with the scalability requirements that IoT projects demand. Traditional connectivity was not designed with IoT in mind, making it challenging to scale networks from 100 devices to hundreds of thousands. Additionally, devices may be deployed in remote locations where it is not easy to find wireless support. Moreover, the technologies used in IoT projects can phase out quickly, making it essential to have the flexibility to switch carriers or technologies rapidly. To overcome these challenges, your service provider should enable remote updates of SIM cards to facilitate easier management and updates of devices remotely, eliminating the need to access them.

Roaming Challenges

When working on an IoT project, it’s really important to consider whether your wireless carrier can handle roaming restrictions. These restrictions can seriously impact the performance of IoT devices when they move outside of their home network, resulting in limited data usage, additional charges, and reduced speeds. This is especially true for devices that rely on real-time data transmissions, like a fleet of connected vehicles that need GPS tracking and communication. If these devices are subject to roaming restrictions, they might not send or receive data accurately or promptly. To avoid these kinds of issues, it’s essential to choose a service provider that can offer seamless connectivity across multiple networks that comply with local regulations. That way, you’ll have reliable and consistent performance for your IoT devices, no matter where they are.

Cost

When it comes to IoT projects, it’s important to choose the right cellular IoT pricing plan to maximize efficiency while keeping costs down. The requirements of different devices vary, so it’s essential to have flexible pricing plans that provide the necessary features without unnecessary expenses. Managing multiple MNO agreements across different countries can be challenging, especially considering the constraints of core network and billing vendor agreements that affect cost transfer to businesses. For instance, MNOs must charge for every registered IMSI, even if they are not immediately used. However, Smart IoT solutions can provide simpler ways to manage connectivity costs and offer more cost-effective options. It’s important to select a dependable IoT service provider that offers flexible pricing plans and consolidated billing to ensure your IoT project’s success.

Why Velocity IoT is the ultimate choice for IoT Projects?

Our VIoT-Flex multi-IMSI SIM cards are eUICC compliant, providing the best of both worlds while remaining cost-effective and efficient. With one SIM card and only one vendor relationship, VIoT-Flex delivers reliable and compliant global IoT connectivity. Designed for IoT scale, the solution provides coverage in 190 countries with over 600 carriers available. Using Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), our solution can remotely control SIMs without additional costs for downloading new profiles.

At Velocity IoT, we provide complete project assistance to ensure the success of your IoT deployments. Our team of experienced professionals is well-versed in all aspects of IoT and can assist in planning and implementing your solutions. Take control of your device connectivity and gain real-time network status and device activity information with Velocity IoT. Secure your IoT deployments for the future – begin your journey with Velocity IoT and VIoT-Flex multi-IMSI SIM cards!

Elevate your Telematics connectivity with Velocity IoT’s Advanced Global IoT Solutions

The global vehicle telematics market is projected to reach a value of $154.8 billion by 2028. Some reasons behind this rapid growth include the increased adoption of connected vehicles, the demand for improved safety, and government regulations that have further driven the adoption of telematics for safety and emissions requirements. Telematics providers have leveraged IoT to develop sophisticated solutions that optimize vehicle performance, reduce costs, and improve safety. IoT-enabled telematics devices such as GPS trackers, dash cams, and sensors rely on cellular connectivity. Selecting the right connectivity provider is critical for ensuring that devices operate effectively and efficiently. Traditional SIM cards can pose challenges for the telematics industry due to their limited capacity, high maintenance costs, and inflexibility in handling large-scale deployments of connected devices. In this blog post, we will explore how Velocity IoT’s global IoT connectivity solution can help overcome these challenges.

Challenges

Coverage

One of the biggest challenges for telematics systems is limited connectivity coverage, especially when operating in remote or international locations. Traditional SIM cards are often tied to a single operator and network, making it difficult to achieve reliable connectivity across borders or in areas where the primary operator has limited coverage.

Cost

Costs related to connectivity can be a significant challenge for telematics devices. For example, the cost of SIM cards and their activation during manufacturing can add up quickly, especially for large-scale production. Furthermore, traditional SIM cards may require specific data plans that can be costly, tying in telematics providers to a specific network and creating challenges when scaling up operations. In addition, roaming charges can further add to the cost of connectivity, particularly for fleets of vehicles that operate across different regions or countries. All of these costs can result in significant expenses and logistical challenges for telematics providers, impacting their profitability and ability to provide competitive pricing.

Device lifecycle management

Managing and maintaining telematics devices over their entire lifecycle can be challenging. Connectivity through traditional SIM cards can cause problems, particularly when network technologies are phased out or sunsetted, such as in the case of 3G. This can lead to compatibility issues with older telematics devices that rely on 3G connectivity, potentially rendering them obsolete and requiring costly device or SIM card replacement.

Real-time data

Real-time data is crucial for telematics devices, such as dash cameras, because it provides immediate insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance. For dash cameras, real-time data helps improve driver safety, reduce accidents, and lower insurance premiums. It enables rapid action in the event of an accident by notifying emergency services and providing critical information about the incident’s location and severity.

Velocity IoT’s Global IoT connectivity solution

Velocity IoT offers a global connectivity solution that provides access to 600+ carriers with a single SIM card. Our VIoT-Flex SIM cards combine the benefits of eUICC and the simplicity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness of a multi-IMSI solution. Highly secure local core networks deployed in different countries enable devices to download and use localized IMSIs. Velocity IoT’s solution is designed with IoT in mind making it ideal for the telematics industry, benefits include:

Ubiquitous connection

Velocity IoT provides seamless global connectivity through a single SIM card, offering access to multiple carriers and autonomous switching capabilities. As devices travel across borders or encounter unreliable coverage or availability, they can switch autonomously to ensure continuous data coverage. In addition, minimal latency guarantees high-quality data transmission.

Future- proof

Remote SIM provisioning provides peace of mind that physical replacement or management of multiple SIM cards for different regions and carriers is not required. All updates can be done over the air, ensuring convenience and flexibility. This feature protects devices from network sunsets and other carrier-related technology changes.

Competitive Pricing

Velocity IoT offers competitive rate plans that are ideal for a wide range of use cases. Our policy is to charge only for what you use, so devices that are not active within a billing month will not incur charges. Moreover, unlike traditional eUICC solutions, Velocity IoT does not impose transaction fees for managing profiles.

Real-time monitoring

Velocity IoT’s platform provides access to real-time, detailed network status and device activity, enabling advanced troubleshooting capabilities.

VIoT-Flex SIMs are hardware–agnostic and will work with most cellular IoT devices ranging from GPS trackers to dash cams.

Remote SIM Provisioning and the benefits for IoT

Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) is a technology that has been gaining traction in the world of IoT devices. It allows for the over-the-air (OTA) management of SIM cards, enabling mobile network operators (MNOs) to remotely provision, manage, and update SIM profiles and settings. This means that the process of changing mobile networks or service providers becomes easier for users, as they can simply activate their new SIM card remotely, rather than having to physically replace the SIM card in their device.

About Remote SIM Provisioning

3GPP has played a significant role in the development of RSP standards. The RSP specifications developed by 3GPP define the process and protocols for securely managing the network profiles on eUICC-enabled devices using over-the-air commands.

The 3GPP RSP standards specify the requirements for the secure communication channels used for downloading, installing, activating, and deleting network profiles on eUICC-enabled devices. These standards also ensure that eUICC and RSP systems are interoperable and meet the highest levels of security.

Benefits of Remote SIM Provisioning for IoT

In 2023, it’s predicted that there will be more than 43 billion devices connected to the internet. The type of connectivity a business uses is critical to the success of their IoT deployment. Using the wrong connectivity solution can lead to project failure. Traditional SIM cards were not designed for IoT. Limitations include lack of scalability, flexibility and high power consumption. However, with eUICC or multi-IMSI SIM cards, connectivity can be managed over-the-air through RSP.

RSP technology is a huge step forward in managing IoT connectivity. Benefits include:

Simplified IoT device deployment: With RSP, IoT device deployment becomes easier, faster, and more efficient. Instead of manually provisioning each device with a new SIM card, RSP allows for the remote activation and management of SIM cards over the air. This makes it possible to deploy large numbers of devices quickly and efficiently, reducing deployment time and cost.

Increased flexibility: RSP offers a high degree of flexibility in managing SIM cards. It allows MNOs to easily provision and manage SIM cards across different networks, countries, and regions. This is particularly useful for IoT devices that operate across borders and need to be able to connect to different networks.

Enhanced security: RSP enables more secure SIM management by reducing the risk of physical tampering and SIM swapping. This is because SIM cards can be provisioned, updated, and managed remotely, without the need for physical access to the device.

Reducing logistics and support costs: RSP simplifies logistics and support by enabling remote management of SIMs on devices, reducing physical SIM card management costs, and providing a centralized way to manage network profiles across multiple devices and platforms. This helps to reduce the need for physical distribution, activation, and replacement of SIM cards.

Selecting the right connectivity provider and technology

When selecting your connectivity provider it is important to take several factors into consideration to ensure that their services align with your specific business requirements.

Compliance: does the provider comply with roaming, privacy and data regulations?
Coverage: does the provider offer global coverage and does it include the countries you are deploying to?
Latency: how long does it take for data transmitted to reach its destination?
Security: is the security provided sufficient to protect your devices from threats?
Price: Do the plans available suit your business needs?
SIM provisioning: are there fees for downloading new profiles? Do you need multiple contracts with service providers?

Velocity IoT Global IoT SIM cards

Velocity IoT’s multi-IMSI eUICC compliant IoT SIM cards provide seamless global connectivity optimized for IoT. The technology our SIMs use for RSP, provides both mobile operators and their enterprise customers far greater flexibility and control over their IoT connectivity, at a fraction of the cost of eUICC-based solutions. Autonomous and flexible, our solution improves uptime by autonomously switching to the strongest available carrier. The use of localized IMSIs helps overcome issues with permanent roaming, data privacy and performance. Velocity IoT provides cost-effective connectivity with access to hundreds of carriers all available with a single vendor relationship.

Ready to get started? Connect with us

eSIM and eUICC SIMs defined. How to pick the best solution for your ioT deployment.

The world of connected devices is rapidly evolving, and so are the technologies that power them. Two technologies that have gained significant traction in recent years are embedded SIMs or eSIMs and eUICC SIMs. eSIMs and eUICC SIMs are crucial components in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and are transforming the way devices connect to networks. These technologies are often used interchangeably but are not the same thing. In this article, we will define eSIM and eUICC and explore how to pick the best solution for your IoT deployment.

eSIM and eUICC explained

An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a small chip soldered directly to a board inside a device, this SIM form factor is officially called MFF2. Unlike traditional SIMs, eSIMs are embedded in the device protecting them from environmental hazards and making them more durable. They have improved resistance to shock, vibration, and impact. eSIMs also offer a higher level of security since they are difficult to remove, helping prevent tampering. On the downside, eSIMs may face issues with connectivity due to vendor lock-in unless they use technologies such as eUICC which allow for remote SIM provisioning.

eUICC stands for embedded universal integrated circuit card and can be provisioned over the air (OTA) according to the GSMA standard, allowing for network and operator changes without needing to remove the SIM card. Multiple network profiles can be provisioned and remotely managed. eUICC SIMs come in several form factors including, micro, nano, mini, or eSIM. Benefits include greater flexibility over connectivity, simplified logistics, and quicker device setup. While eUICC SIMs solve some of the issues related to using an eSIM, they also face their challenges. Such challenges include the costs and complexity associated with downloading profiles and the need to establish multiple network operator relationships.

How to pick the best eSIM solution for your IoT deployment

Not all eSIMs are equal, when choosing an eSIM solution for your IoT deployment, there are several factors to consider, including:

Network coverage: Ensure that the eSIM solution supports the network or networks you need for your IoT deployment. Some eSIM providers may only offer coverage in specific regions or countries. Does the provider offer the carrier direct model (MNO) or the MVNO model, a third-party provider who has negotiated agreements with several mobile network providers? If the provider supports multi-carriers, what technology are they using, and are they impacted by roaming restrictions?

Security: Look for eSIM solutions offering robust security features to protect your devices from hacking or unauthorized access. This is particularly important for IoT devices, which may contain sensitive information or control critical infrastructure.

Management tools: Choose an eSIM solution that provides an easy-to-use SIM management platform. It should include features such as device activation, network profile management, OTA updates, and real-time monitoring and alerts.

Pricing: Compare pricing among eSIM providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. Some providers charge a fee per device, while others may offer bulk pricing or pay-as-you-go options.

Customer support: Finally, look for eSIM providers that offer excellent customer support to ensure that any issues or questions are quickly addressed.

Velocity IoT’s multi-IMSI eUICC solution

Designed with IoT in mind, Velocity IoT’s solution uses eUICC- compliant multi-IMSI technology, which provides seamless global connectivity without the complexities and high costs associated with eUICC technology. The solution uses Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) for remotely controlling SIMs for purposes such as downloading profiles and changing configurations. Unlike eUICC, there are no additional costs for downloading new profiles. Autonomous switching allows for better availability and performance. Using localized IMSIs overcomes issues related to permanent roaming and latency. Gain control over your devices’ connectivity and access real-time network status and device activity information. With a single SIM and vendor relationship, your IoT devices can securely connect globally, improve coverage and maintain low costs. Just like eUICC, the solution is available in multiple SIM form factors.

In conclusion, eSIMs and eUICC technology are game-changers for the IoT industry, providing more flexibility, convenience, and security in device connectivity. With so many options available it is important to consider several factors to ensure you select the right solution for your IoT deployment. Velocity IoT’s solution ticks all the boxes of what to look for in an eSIM. More than just a connectivity provider, Velocity IoT offers complete project support to enable successful IoT deployments. Our experienced team of professionals is knowledgeable in all aspects of IoT, and is ready to help plan and implement your solutions.

The best way to protect your IoT deployments against permanent roaming restrictions

In today’s connected world, IoT devices are becoming more ubiquitous. Predictions estimate that there will be more than 27 billion connected devices by 2025, according to IoT Analytics. With the increasing demand for IoT devices comes the challenge of maintaining connectivity while roaming across borders. This is where permanent roaming restrictions can become an issue, especially for those devices that require constant connectivity.

What is permanent roaming?

Permanent roaming refers to the situation where a device is continuously connected to a network outside of its home network for an extended period. This period can range anywhere between 3 to 6 months. There are several regulations related to permanent roaming, which vary by country and region. In China, Brazil, and Turkey, there are laws limiting the amount of time a device can roam. While in other countries such as Australia, the USA, and UAE, the operators have created permanent roaming restrictions. IoT devices subject to roaming restrictions may experience:

Network blockages that lead to disconnected devices.
Diminished service availability and reliability.
NB-IoT devices have limited access to roaming services.
Higher fees due to increased access charges, overages, or reconnection charges.

How to protect your IoT deployments from roaming restrictions?

Traditional connectivity was not designed with IoT in mind which can often impact the success of IoT projects. SIM switches every time a device changes location is not sustainable, it can be costly and sometimes impossible. Finding the right connectivity provider that offers global connectivity with local coverage in as many countries and regions as possible can help protect your devices from roaming bans. This will ensure that devices maintain connectivity and are not blocked from any network in their lifespan.

Both eUICC and multi-IMSI technology can help overcome these issues. The international Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI, is the standardized unique number on SIM cards that enables devices to connect to a network. A multi-IMSI SIM means you can hold multiple MNO relationships on a single SIM, easily switch from one to the other and dynamically download new IMSIs depending on the SIM location. eUICC, or Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card, is a GSMA standard that allows customers to download new profiles to the same SIM in a standardized way. Like multi-IMSI solutions, eUICC can be provisioned over the air, and new MNO profiles can be added when necessary and switched without physically changing the SIM. eUICC solutions are more complex to manage and can quickly get expensive. Velocity IoT leverages the best of both worlds with its eUICC compliant multi -IMSI solution.

Why choose Velocity IoT

Velocity IoT SIM cards combine eUICC and Multi-IMSI technology to offer a solution that removes the complexities of eUICC while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of multi-IMSI solutions. Highly secure local core networks deployed in different countries enable devices to download and use localized IMSIs, helping overcome roaming restrictions. Benefits of using Velocity IoT’s solution include:

Regulatory compliant: adheres to privacy regulations and complies with tax regulations, roaming restrictions, and data laws.
Autonomous switching to the strongest available carrier
Improved performance, with local breakouts, latency is minimal
Highly competitive data rates and no charges for downloading profiles
Designed for IoT scale
Experienced Staff to support your deployment strategies

Velocity IoT’s solution uses remote SIM provisioning, all updates can be done over-the-air ensuring that you never have to replace SIM cards. With access to over 600 carriers around the world, Velocity IoT offers seamless global connectivity that is simple and secure. By using Velocity IoT’s solution you can overcome roaming restrictions, minimize costs, future-proof your IoT project, and improve overall network coverage.

Multi-IMSI SIM Cards and their benefits for IoT use cases

What is a multi-IMSI SIM?

Before diving into how multi-IMSI technology works and what makes it ideal for IoT we will start with a brief definition. The International Mobile Subscriber Identity, abbreviated as IMSI, is the internationally standardized unique number stored on SIM cards that enables devices to connect to a network. Traditional SIM cards have a single IMSI allowing for connection to a single network. SIM cards using multi-IMSI technology hold multiple IMSIs allowing the SIM to connect countless operators.

Key benefits of multi-IMSI SIMs

Multi-IMSI SIMs offer greater flexibility and versatility than standard SIM cards. There are several reasons why an IoT project may benefit from using multi-IMSI technology, some of which are:

Global coverage with one SIM

Due to the multiple SIM profiles and connection options available, multi-IMSI SIMs offer extended global connectivity. They can automatically connect to the strongest carrier signal without any user intervention. This feature is beneficial in cases where the device may need to operate between different countries or regions.

Increased up-time & better connectivity

By switching between carriers when necessary, the device can maintain a stronger signal and minimize the risk of losing connectivity. Increased up-time is especially important for IoT applications such as remote monitoring or control, where dispatching a worker to troubleshoot these locations can be costly and time-consuming.

Compliance, no more roaming restrictions

Unlike traditional SIMs that rely on roaming, multi-IMSI SIMs can leverage direct relationships with local network operators. Using local IMSIs helps overcome roaming restrictions and ensures compliance with local privacy and tax regulations.

Secure updates over the air

New IMSIs can be added over the-the-air when required. This zero-touch approach to connectivity allows you to change operators without the need to swap the SIM.

What is the difference between multi-IMSI and eUICC technologies?

Both eUICC and multi-IMSI technologies are supported across all SIM form factors, including nano, micro, mini and eSIM. eUICC and multi-IMSI connectivity are often confused while both technologies can hold multiple operator profiles, implementation is different. eUICC stands for Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card. Adding new profiles to eUICC SIMs is complex, time-consuming, and costly. The fees associated with downloading profiles and establishing multiple network operator relationships can affect your project’s profitability. Another challenge with eUICC SIMs is that changing between profiles is not done automatically.

In contrast, Multi-IMSI SIM technology allows for autonomous switching and is managed through a single connectivity provider making the solution more efficient and easier to use. Over the air data usage is more lightweight, and there are no costs for downloading new profiles, making multi-IMSI technology a more cost effective solution

Why Choose Velocity IoT?

Our VIoT-Flex multi-IMSI SIM cards are eUICC compliant giving you the best of both worlds while remaining cost-effective and efficient. One SIM card with only one vendor relationship for reliable and compliant global IoT Connectivity. Designed for IoT scale, VIoT-Flex provides coverage in 190 countries with over 600 carriers available. Future-proof your IoT deployments, and get started with Velocity IoT today.