When you’re building and scaling an IoT solution, connectivity shouldn’t be the hardest part of your project. But too often it is.
From navigating different network regulations to avoiding costly downtime, the right connectivity partner isn’t just a supplier. They’re a strategic enabler for your business, helping you launch faster, expand into new markets, and operate with confidence for years to come.
In today’s environment of global deployments, evolving network technologies, and increasing regulatory complexity, selecting the wrong partner can lead to stalled rollouts, higher costs, and reduced reliability. The right one gives you the tools, coverage, and support to focus on your product, not your SIM card.
Best Practices for Selecting an IoT Connectivity Vendor
1. Assess SIM and Platform Fit for Your Application
Choosing the right SIM is about more than coverage. It is about flexibility, visibility, and control at scale.
The right connectivity partner will offer more than just a SIM. They will guide you to the SIM technology that aligns with your specific application, whether that means high bandwidth, low latency, long battery life, or operation across borders.
Not all SIMs are created equal. Look for providers that support remote SIM management, over-the-air updates to maintain flexibility over time. If vendor lock in is a concern, it is important that they support standards like SGP.22 and SGP.32.
In challenging or mobile environments, ask whether their SIMs support autonomous network switching and multi-IMSI capabilities to ensure devices stay connected. The best providers will help you weigh these trade-offs and recommend the right SIM strategy for your use case.
A strong connectivity partner will also offer visibility and control through a robust management platform, with access to APIs, SIM status, and network events all in one place.
Choosing the right SIM starts with choosing a partner who understands your application and can support it through every stage of growth.
2. Evaluate the Network Architecture, Not Just the Coverage Map
Coverage maps only show where service is available, not how it performs. For global IoT deployments, the underlying infrastructure matters.
Look for a provider with a distributed core network that enables local breakout. This improves latency, supports compliance with data privacy laws, and ensures consistent performance across regions.
If your devices operate in countries with permanent roaming restrictions, make sure the provider can apply local IMSI profiles to stay connected and compliant.
Your connectivity partner should support the cellular technologies your devices rely on in every region you operate. Emerging options like Satellite Non-Terrestrial Networks add resilience where traditional coverage falls short. Prioritize partners who also address security and local data compliance by design.
The right foundation keeps your devices online, responsive, and ready to scale.
3. Think Total Cost of Ownership, Not Just Per-MB Pricing
Cost efficiency starts with choosing a partner that aligns pricing to actual usage, not one that locks you into paying for inactive SIMs or services you do not need.
Be cautious of “unlimited” multi-year contracts. If your usage changes or technology evolves, you could end up paying for data or services you no longer use.
Low per-megabyte rates may look appealing but always assess the full picture. Watch for hidden fees such as suspension, onboarding, or platform access charges. Features like remote SIM provisioning can help avoid costly on-site replacements and reduce long-term operational overhead.
Choosing a partner that simplifies logistics, supports remote management, and consolidates services can significantly lower your total cost of ownership over time.
4. Choose a Partner Obsessed with Your Success
Connectivity is more than getting devices online. The right partner helps you plan, deploy, and scale with fewer roadblocks.
Look for providers that offer pre-deployment support such as device testing, coverage planning, and network optimization. These services help ensure your solution works as expected before it reaches the field.
Just as important is how they support you over time. A good partner stays aligned with your technical goals, adapts to your needs as they change, and helps you manage complexity as your deployment grows.
A strong partnership is built on expertise, responsiveness, and a shared focus on reliability and performance.
Why Velocity IoT
Velocity IoT gives you the flexibility, control, and support to scale with confidence. You only pay for active SIMs, with no hidden fees. Start quickly using our self-serve platform and SIMs available on Digi-Key, or work with our team to design a custom SIM strategy based on your deployment requirements. For advanced deployments, our enterprise platform provides robust APIs and deep visibility into SIM and network behavior, giving you full control and seamless integration with your systems.
From network planning to hardware and firmware guidance, we help you build solutions that are ready for the real world. Our cloud-managed network supports 2G to 5G, Non-Terrestrial Networks, and all SIM form factors, including plastic, eSIM, iSIM, and softSIM. With localized core infrastructure, we ensure low latency, regulatory compliance, and consistent performance across regions.
Get seamless global coverage with a single SIM and vendor relationship. Ready to simplify and scale your IoT connectivity? Talk to our team about the right solution for your deployment.
