Tag: onesimcard iot

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The Hidden Costs of Cheap IoT SIM Cards: What You’re Not Being Told

A tangled web of IoT SIM cards and failing devices with a bright OneSimCard SIM shining through

Introduction: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Smart When It Comes to IoT

It’s tempting: you’re managing an IoT deployment across multiple countries, and a provider offers you rock-bottom rates on IoT SIM cards. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, what many businesses don’t realize is that choosing a cheap IoT SIM card can cost far more in the long run—through downtime, throttled performance, limited support, and hidden fees.

In this blog, we uncover the true cost of going cheap and explain why OneSimCard IoT offers the best value and performance for global M2M and IoT deployments.

1. Network Steering: A Hidden Threat to Uptime

Many low-cost IoT SIM providers engage in network steering. This means the SIM is programmed to prioritize the cheapest available network in a given region, not necessarily the most reliable one. The result? Weak signals, dropped connections, slow speeds, and poor device performance.

OneSimCard IoT uses non-steering SIMs, meaning your device always connects to the strongest, most reliable network available—not just the cheapest. That equals better uptime, especially in mission-critical applications like:

  • Asset tracking across borders
  • Remote monitoring for infrastructure
  • Smart agriculture devices in rural zones

2. Limited Network Access = Coverage Gaps

Budget SIMs often come with access to a single or limited number of carrier networks. That might be fine in urban areas, but what happens when your devices move? Or operate in rural or developing regions?

OneSimCard IoT SIMs connect to over 450 networks in 200+ countries, ensuring maximum coverage and redundancy. When a device loses signal with one network, it seamlessly connects to another—automatically.

Use Case: A logistics company using a low-cost SIM had 5% tracking downtime due to rural blackouts. After switching to OneSimCard, uptime jumped to 99.9% thanks to multi-network redundancy.

3. Throttling and Fair Usage Limits

Ever read the fine print on a cheap data plan? Many budget IoT SIMs advertise “unlimited” data or low costs per MB but implement throttling once you cross a certain threshold. Suddenly, your 4G device is crawling on a 2G network.

OneSimCard doesn’t hide behind throttling gimmicks. We offer transparent, scalable data plans starting at just $0.005/MB, tailored to your actual usage with pooled or PAYG data plans, flexible billing, and clear thresholds.

4. Lack of Real-Time Monitoring and Management Tools

A major hidden cost of cheap IoT SIMs is the lack of SIM management portals or limited API access. Without visibility, you can’t:

  • Track usage in real time
  • Remotely activate/deactivate SIMs
  • Set usage alerts or thresholds
  • Troubleshoot connectivity issues

OneSimCard offers a robust IoT SIM Management Portal and APIs that give you full control of your fleet. From a single dashboard, you can manage thousands of SIMs across continents.

5. Weak Security Infrastructure

Many budget providers offer generic APNs and no support for private static IPs, VPNs, or encrypted tunnels. In sensitive industries like healthcare, financial services, or industrial IoT, this is a major risk.

OneSimCard offers private static IPs, custom APNs, and VPN tunneling, so your IoT deployment is secure, compliant, and protected from external threats.

6. No SMS Fallback Options

Some devices require SMS fallback—for alerts, control commands, or emergency communication. Cheap IoT SIMs often lack this option entirely.

With OneSimCard, you can add SMS functionality via our Track SIM or M2M Global SIM..

7. Limited or Non-Existent Support

What happens when something goes wrong? Many cheap providers offer email-only support, and response times could be hours (or days).

OneSimCard provides best-in-class support, including phone, live chat, web ticket, and email. Our team understands IoT and can help troubleshoot fast.

8. Hidden Fees That Add Up Fast

Low advertised rates often mask:

  • High roaming charges
  • Fees for SIM activation or replacement
  • Unexpected billing for overages

OneSimCard is transparent with all pricing. We don’t believe in surprises. Our pricing model supports large-scale deployments with customizable plans and no nasty gotchas.

9. Inflexible SIM Types

Some cheap providers offer a one-size-fits-all SIM—not ideal if you need industrial-grade, rugged, or embedded eSIMs.

OneSimCard offers multiple IoT SIM form factors, including:

  • Industrial SIMs
  • M2M Global SIMs
  • Track SIMs
  • eUICC/eSIM support for remote provisioning

Why OneSimCard is the Best Choice for Serious IoT Deployments

Here’s what makes us the smart investment:

FeatureCheap IoT SIMsOneSimCard IoT
SIM SteeringYesNo
Multi-Network RedundancyNo/PartialYes
Transparent PricingOften hidden feesClear and flexible
Global CoverageLimited200+ countries, 450+ networks
Real-Time Management ToolsOften missingFull portal + API
Security FeaturesBasicVPN, private IP, custom APN
SMS SupportRareAvailable
Free SupportOften lackingAward Winning

Conclusion: Cheap is Expensive in the World of IoT

In IoT, downtime, limited control, and security gaps can cost your business far more than a few dollars saved per SIM. That’s why savvy businesses choose OneSimCard.

With OneSimCard IoT SIMs, you get a premium experience without premium headaches:

  • Fast, reliable connectivity
  • Full SIM lifecycle control
  • Global scale
  • Transparent billing
  • Real support when you need it

Stop paying for cheap. Start investing in quality.

Explore OneSimCard’s IoT SIM solutions today and deploy with confidence.

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Introducing OneSimCard IoT “2.0”

OneSimCard IoT announces the new BITW IoT SIM card

We are excited to introduce you to our new IoT SIM card type: the BITW. We have been working feverishly over the last 18 months to find new connectivity partners and integrate the selected partners into our cloud-based portal. When selecting new partners, we took many of the suggestions/requests our customers have made like getting access to NB-IoT technology. You may have heard this was coming, but the time has come to officially announce this amazing service.

OneSimCard IoT BITW SIM Card features:

1) Multi-IMSI, Multi-Carrier, No Steering SIM Cards offering build-in redundancy and reliability virtually anywhere in the world.

2) Much Lower Costs in many countries and in many instances (depending on the expected data consumption) the cost of data is more than 1/2 of our “old” SIM cards. Rates start at less than $0.01/MB;

3) More Form Factors. OneSimCard IoT BITW SIM cards are available in 2FF, 3FF, 4FF, MFF2, and eSIM

4) Fully Functional including Private Static IP addresses, IPSec VPN, Private APN, Alarms, API’s (coming by the end of July), Portal SMS & much more;

5) New Features including the ability to view the IMEI of the device in which the SIM is installed, and an alarm available to notify you if the IMEI is changed (IMEI lock is also still available);

6) More Network Protocols Including NB-IoT. The new SIMs support 2G, 3G, 4G (Full LTE, Cat M, Cat M1, & NB-IoT) & 5G.

7) Flexible Plan Types. Just like our “old” SIM cards, OneSimCard IoT BITW SIMs are available for both Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) and Pooled data plans. The PAYG plans are more flexible and much lower per MB rates than our “old” SIM cards. The Pooled plans are still customized to your needs. The possibilities are infinite!;

8) Same Familiar Portal. The BITW SIM cards are also using our OSCAR SIM management portal so there is nothing new to learn. Currently, we can do single sign-on through a Parent/Child structure, but we are working to allow single sign-on without a Parent account;

9) Continue Using APN “send.ee”. The BITW SIM cards will still be using the APN send.ee so you don’t need to change any device settings if you decide to change to the BITW SIM cards. If you have a Private APN, we can usually get those added as well.

10) MUCH More International Coverage. The BITW increases the global footprint of our IoT offering to more than 200 countries and territories. Check out the coverage below:

Unsurpassed International Coverage
The BITW IoT SIM card has the best international coverage at the lowest rates

So what is happening with the “old” SIM cards? We will continue to support and stock the old SIM cards for the foreseeable future. You can continue to use them as you do today, and order additional “old” SIM cards. We did stop stocking any SIM card type ending in “E” These SIMs cannot be replaced 1-for-1 or ordered new. They will continue to work as normal, though. These SIMs can be replaced with TCNS-C SIM cards, or other KITW SIMs not ending in “E.”

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eSIMs or Removable SIMs for IoT, Which Is Best?

Image of different IoT SIM card form factors and the dates they were released including eSIM
Plastic SIMs and eSIM (MFF2)

Introduction

Clients often ask “Which should I use, traditional plastic SIMs, or embedded SIMs  (eSIMs) for my IoT solution?” Our go-to answer is always, “It depends.” We answer this way because it really does depend on many factors.

In this article we explore the pros and cons of both eSIMs physical SIMs for IoT projects. Not all pros and cons will have equal weight for each solution developer, but we think this is a good primer on the differences of each type of IoT SIM card.

First, let’s quickly define what we are talking about. We wrote an article several years ago that spoke to the evolution of the IoT SIM card specifically relating to the evolution of the technology behind SIM cards. We talked about eUICC as an emerging tech, and we called this an “eSIM.” For the purposes of this article, we are calling the embedded SIM (MFF2 form factor) an eSIM. Physical SIM cards are typically 2FF, 3FF, or 4FF form factors, but can also be enabled with eUICC tech, making them also “eSIMs.”  “eSIM” refer to either a SIM with eUICC technology, or an embedded SIM, but these are very different things.

Embedded SIM (eSIM):

eSIM Pros:

  1. Remote Provisioning: eSIMs are provisioned remotely and programmed with the necessary network credentials using bootstrap profiles. This eliminates the need for physical access to the device, and is particularly useful for IoT devices in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
  2. Scalability: eSIMs make it easier to scale your IoT deployment because you can provision and manage a large number of devices without physically swapping SIM cards.
  3. Reduced Physical Footprint: eSIMs are integrated into the device’s hardware, saving space and allowing for more compact IoT device designs.
  4. Improved Security: eSIMs often offer enhanced security features, such as better resistance to physical tampering and improved authentication protocols.
  5. Flexibility: eSIMs can switch between different carrier profiles, providing flexibility and cost optimization as you can select the best network for a given location or situation. However, this requires the cooperation of both carriers which is not always a given. Many carriers will not allow these profile change-overs.

eSIM Cons:

  1. Initial Cost: Implementing eSIM technology may require upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure for remote provisioning and management. Even the MFF2 SIM is more costly than traditional plastic SIMs.
  2. Compatibility: Not all IoT devices are eSIM-ready, so retrofitting existing devices with eSIM capabilities can be challenging and costly.
  3. Dependency on Manufacturers: Device manufacturers must support eSIM technology for it to be effective, and not all manufacturers do, limiting device options.

Traditional Physical SIM Cards:

Physical SIM Pros:

  1. Widespread Compatibility: Traditional SIM cards are widely supported by most IoT devices and have been the standard for many years.
  2. Low Initial Cost: The cost of traditional SIM cards and card readers is generally lower than implementing eSIM technology.
  3. Interchangeability: Physical SIM cards can be easily swapped between devices, which can be useful in some situations.

Physical SIM Cons:

  1. Physical Access Required: Changing SIM cards typically requires physical access to the device, which can be impractical for remote or deployed IoT devices.
  2. Scalability Challenges: Managing a large number of physical SIM cards can be cumbersome, leading to logistical challenges as your IoT deployment scales.
  3. Security Concerns: Traditional SIM cards are more susceptible to physical tampering and unauthorized removal, potentially compromising security.
  4. Limited Network Flexibility: Switching between carriers or network profiles is more difficult with physical SIM cards, leading to potential coverage and cost inefficiencies.

The choice between eSIM technology and traditional physical SIM cards in IoT applications depends on your specific use case and requirements. eSIMs offer advantages in terms of remote management, scalability, and flexibility. Traditional SIM cards are more widely compatible and have lower initial costs. It’s essential to evaluate your project’s needs, device compatibility, and long-term scalability when making this decision.

If you would like to have a conversation with one of our experts, please fill out our contact form. The contact form is located here. One of our experts will be in touch within 1 business day.

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Digi-Key and OneSimCard Announce Distribution Partnership to Enable IoT Providers & Manufacturers with International Connectivity

Digi-KeyDigi-Key Electronics and Boston based OneSimCard IoT have partnered to provide a turn-key global cellular connectivity solution for IoT product manufacturers and IoT services providers.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA – Today, OneSimCard IoT and Digi-Key Electronics are excited to announce their strategic distribution partnership. In this partnership, OneSimCard will provide international IoT SIM card connectivity solutions for Digi-Key’s IoT hardware customers. OneSimCard’s solution includes 2FF/3FF/4FF & MFF2 SIM form factors which operate over OneSimCard’s OSCAR SIM Management portal. Some other solutions offered include Private APN, VPN, Static IP, IMEI Locking.

OneSimCard IoT’s non-steering SIM solution provides 2G/3G/4G LTE//Cat M & Cat M-1, connections in over 160 countries with one APN for easy deployment anywhere.

In most countries, there are multiple cellular networks available providing both redundancy and guaranteed best coverage available. Customers can choose simple, flexible, and cost-effective data plans, both Pooled and Pay-As-You-Go plan types, that suit their needs and with no long-term commitments.