What is an IoT SIM card?

IoT – or M2M – SIM cards provide access to cellular networks to connect devices – with a management platform to monitor and operate device connections at scale. If you want two or more ‘Things’ (connected devices) to communicate with each other, then you need a data connection. In most cases, a standard cellular mobile SIM (or consumer SIM) won’t cut it.

How is a consumer SIM different from an IoT M2M SIM?

Consumer SIMs are bound to one local network operator and impose high roaming costs for data connections in foreign countries or outside a common tariff zone. IoT SIMs meanwhile give your devices access to multiple networks per country, a single tariff plan for global use, and flexible, usage-based contract terms. IoT SIMs also have more memory, durability and a longer lifespan than consumer SIMs. IoT SIMs usually come with a web-based platform for remote SIM and connectivity management. They come in multiple form factors like the industrial-grade or MFF2 for durability against extreme environments – heat, corrosion, vibration. Check out our detailed article on the differences between a consumer SIM and an IoT M2M SIM.

How much does an IoT SIM card cost?

The price can start from less than EUR 2 for a commercial-grade EMnify IoT SIM and less than EUR 3 for an industrial-grade EMnify IoT SIM depending on your order volume. A discount automatically applies as more SIM cards are purchased within an order. New users can get three EMnify IoT SIM cards for free when signing up for an evaluation. Try it out for yourself, at no cost, for a 60-day trial. Visit EMnify Pricing Page to learn more.

How do I activate my IoT SIM card?

Activating an IoT SIM card is straightforward and usually only involves a few simple steps. Often there is more than one way to activate a SIM – for example, either through a connectivity management portal, API or sometimes even a no-code solution. IoT SIM cards can be registered and activated individually or in bulk – significantly speeding things up when connecting a large fleet of devices.

What is factory test mode?

You also have an option to enable factory test mode where your devices are pre-activated and allocated with a fixed amount of free data traffic. During factory test mode, there is no SIM hosting fees and data charges, allowing you to test device connections during QA processes and ship preactivated devices to customers without incurring connectivity costs. Once your devices use up the free data after being deployed, the EMnify SIM cards automatically switch to “active”, and only then your monthly billing starts. There is no need to activate your SIM cards when using factory test mode.

How can I monitor the performance of my SIM cards?

A connectivity management portal will typically provide access to real-time monitoring of all connected devices, tracking things like connection status, data usage and cost. The EMnify Portal also provides tools like connectivity reset and network blocklist that let you quickly troubleshoot connection issues and reduce Tier-II support tickets. If you prefer monitoring device connectivity and data consumption directly from your existing operational dashboards and application, the EMnify Data Streamer lets you do so. Learn more about Data Streamer or view our Integration guides for detailed instructions

eSIM is a SIM type that allows you to change an operator profile Over-the-Air (OTA) with remote SIM provisioning capability. The term eSIM could also be interchangeably used to indicate an MFF2 SIM type that gets soldered directly into a cellular device.

How do I swap carriers/Can I choose whichever carriers I want?

The EMnify SIM card uses multi-IMSI approach and automatically selects the best-quality network at your device location. In cases where you want to select a specific operator for your devices, the network blocklist function allows you to proactively switch to your preferred network.

Does EMnify IoT SIM support Narrowband-IoT and LTE-M?

Yes. EMnify IoT SIM supports multiple cellular technologies including LTE-M and NB-IoT. Visit our LTE-M coverage page and NB-IoT coverage page to find out where your devices can connect via these two technologies using the EMnify SIM.

Coming Soon

Data Service
and SMS over Satellite

In addition to terrestrial networks, emnify SIM cards will soon bring essential communication services to remote areas with data service and SMS over satellite. Our SIM cards provide access to both terrestrial and satellite networks, extending IoT service coverage for business-critical applications beyond mobile cellular networks.

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Connectivity at a glance

Highlights of emnify satellite IoT services

emnify IoT SIM cards enable your devices not only to connect to more than 540 cellular land mobile networks in over 180 countries, but soon also to 3GPP compliant satellite networks providing global coverage even in International Waters. Whether you need terrestrial cellular or non-terrestrial connectivity via satellite for data service and SMS we’ve got you covered.

Global Coverage via Satellite

Most of our planet's surface is not covered by any land mobile network at all. Equipped with an emnify IoT SIM card, your devices can also connect in uncovered areas by selecting a compatible satellite network. If your device cannot receive any signal of a land mobile network, it may automatically switch to using satellite connectivity.

For 2G and compliant NB-IoT devices

emnify satellite IoT services can be accessed using affordable standard 2G GSM compliant NB-IoT radio user equipment. You are free to choose your desired vendor to get a compatible model of your choice.

Automatic Network Selection

Your carrier agnostic emnify SIMs have access to multiple networks wherever you deploy. Aside terrestrial cellular networks, emnify SIMs also give you access to satellite networks to maximise global coverage and to provide a connection backup.

Unified Management Portal & API

Whether connected to a land mobile network or to a satellite network, your emnify portal and API allow you to manage and monitor your IoT SIMs efficiently in a unified manner. Keep track of your usage, manage the lifecycle and troubleshoot issues.

UNIQUE SATELLITE NETWORK SERVICES EXPLAINED

NTN Data & SMS Specifications

NB-IoT data service can be accessed via Skylo. Using a NTN-capable NB-IoT device you will be able to transfer data from and to anywhere in the USA, EU, Switzerland and in International Waters. Coverage will extend to more countries as regulatory approval is granted.

Specifications:

Satellite network:	Skylo
Radio access technology:	5G NTN - 3GPP Release 17
Frequency bands:	1.6 GHz (B255), 2.0 GHz (B256,B23)
Service type:	NB-IoT IP Data, message based
Device compatibility:	· Cat-NB1 and Cat-NB2 devices with 3GPP Rel-17 NTN upgrades · Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Device compatibility:

Short message service (SMS) can be accessed via the Lynk satellite network across International Waters. Using a standard 2G GSM cellular device you will be able to text data bidirection from and to offshore marine locations.

Specifications:

Satellite network:	Lynk
Radio access technology:	2G GSM
Frequency bands:	900Mhz, 850 MHz
Service type:	SMS
Device compatibility:	· GSM capable IoT devices and handsets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Satellite IoT?

Strengthening the emnify IoT SuperNetwork – we have entered into partnerships with innovative satellite network service providers to further increase the global IoT service footprint:

emnify and Skylo will provide satellite coverage for Narrowband IoT devices that are capable to communicate with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), as specified in 3GPP 5G Release 17.
emnify and Lynk will provide satellite coverage for conventional 2G GSM capable devices and handsets. A Lynk low-earth-orbiting satellite functions like a “cell tower in the sky”- your device will see it like any land mobile network. Starting with SMS this year and moving towards data service when the Lynk satellite constellation grows - it enables affordable, secure communications whilst your solution is out in international waters.

What are the typical use cases of Satellite IoT?

With Satellite IoT services, emnify can support a diverse mix of typical use cases:

Transportation
Marine
Agriculture
Environmental monitoring
Construction
Heavy equipment
Mining
Utilities (e.g. water, solar, oil/gas)

Why is emnify doing this?

emnify delivers on the promise of the IoT SuperNetwork - wherever, whenever, you require connectivity. We continue to add networks and different technologies to our IoT SuperNetwork. Working with Lynk and Skylo are the first steps of many to come to extend the IoT SuperNetwork into space and provide even better coverage for our customers.

Will emnify satellite IoT services work everywhere?

Wherever there is clear visibility of the sky, the technology is capable of providing connectivity. Indoor coverage should not be expected because the device would not be in line of sight with a satellite in the sky, and while some obstructions are not critical e.g. light tree cover or a wood ceiling, it is unlikely to work in a multi-story building.

Providing the service requires regulatory approval - the Skylo GEO satellite network has approval to provide NB-IoT data service coverage in the USA, Canada , UK, European Union, Switzerland and in International Waters.

The Lynk LEO satellite network provides SMS services in International Waters. In both cases, additional regulatory approvals are being processed and the list of places where the service is permitted will grow significantly in the future.

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