Key differences between IoT SIM cards and regular cellular

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Your SIM card does more than connect you to the internet when you’re using your smartphone. In fact, this little chip has many uses, including in Internet of Things (IoT) applications, although it can be confusing to know which type of SIM card will work best in your IoT project or device. Luckily, there are some key differences between IoT SIM cards and regular cellular ones that can help you decide which type to choose. Let’s take a look at what they are!

2G Technology Breakdown

In the early days of cellular technology, there were two primary types of plans: voice plans and data plans. Voice plans were designed for making calls and did not include data. Data plans, on the other hand, were designed for using the internet and included data. In the present day, there are three primary types of plans: voice, data, and IoT. 

IoT SIM cards are a special type of SIM card that is designed specifically for devices that connect to the internet of things. These devices include things like security cameras, thermostats, and home automation systems. One of the key differences between an IoT SIM card and a regular cellular plan is that an IoT SIM card includes both data and voice service.

Regional Support

One of the key differences between an IoT SIM card and a regular cellular plan is regional support. With regular cellular plans, you’re usually limited to the country or region that your carrier supports. However, with an IoT SIM card, you can often choose from a variety of global carriers. This means that you can have your devices connected no matter where in the world they’re located. It also makes it easy for you to switch countries without changing phone numbers or service providers. 

Data Pricing

Another difference between an IoT SIM card and a regular cellular plan is data pricing. A lot of carriers will offer free data roaming while others charge per megabyte which could get expensive if you need international coverage. With an IoT SIM card, you don’t pay extra for international use because your device connects to the global network instead of a single one at home. In some cases, you might even be able to avoid monthly fees altogether by paying on-demand prices for data usage. Furthermore, this means that companies won’t have to update their contract every time their country updates its laws about mobile networks. If you’re looking for an affordable way to keep your business connected when abroad, an IoT SIM card is worth considering.

Range (Long-Range, Home Coverage)

IoT SIM cards have the ability to connect to LTE networks, which offer significantly wider coverage than regular cellular plans. This is because LTE uses a different type of radio wave that can travel further distances. In addition, IoT SIM cards come with data plans that are designed for devices that use low amounts of data. This means that you can save money by signing up for an IoT data plan, rather than a regular cellular data plan.

Customer Experience & Tech Support

When it comes to customer experience and tech support, there are some key differences between IoT SIM cards and regular cellular plans. 

First, with an IoT SIM card, you’ll have access to a dedicated support team that can help you with any issues you may have. 

Second, IoT SIM cards come with data plans that are specifically designed for the needs of your devices. 

Another difference is in who manages those networks: traditional cellular companies use shared networks that offer great coverage but few features; your carrier will be able to give you more detailed usage statistics about how much data each device is using on average, how many times they’re connecting over different networks, etc. In addition, if your device has technical difficulties or requires updates as part of its service plan, these will be handled by the company managing your network instead of being dependent on outside resources like wifi connection or smartphone capability. 

Billing Cycle Frequency

The regular cellular plans are billed every month, while the IoT SIM cards are billed according to the number of days that have passed since the last billing period. This is because the usage of an IoT device is usually much higher than that of a regular phone. 

IoT devices also tend to have a higher data allowance than regular phones. This is because they are often used for tasks that require a lot of data, such as streaming video or uploading large files. 

IoT SIM cards also usually come with a longer expiration date than regular cellular plans. This is because they are designed for devices that need to be connected for long periods of time, such as security cameras or alarm systems.

Where to Get One

If you’re in the market for an IoT SIM card, your best bet is to go with a provider that specializes in such as Freeeway. So, get your IoT products from Freeeway.

main photo: unsplash.com/Denise Jans

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