M2M sim cards are chips that contain a microcontroller memory. The latter can be used for storing apps and data, and conveying information in real time through a specific network, without regard of the distance separating the device emitting it from the one receiving.
Whereas regular sim cards are designed for everyday devices such as tablets, watches and smartphones, m2m sims including multi-network sim cards appear to be particularly designed for industrial projects and professional-use smart objects.
Multi-channel, M2M SIM cards are technology-wise and relies on Internet of things (IoT) to operate on different GSM networks, whether it’s 2G, 3G, 4G. They are straight deployable internationally, as you can read it on rental Saint Tropez forum. A significant plus point of Machine to Machine technology is that M2M SIM cards get unlimited roaming capabilities. This means they can stay in industrial kit during long years without requiring to be relocated.
You can activate, configurate, and remotely terminate these cards, meaning that is possible to adapt data transfers to individual projects and requirements no matter the location of objects.
It’s important to add that making use of an M2M SIM card to achieve your industrial project requires specific configuration and installation. Nevertheless, this results in an enhanced SLA service’s quality, and when this occurs, m2m sim card providers are able to provide customer service. The latter is called to help manufacturers, integrators, installers as well as industry operators to actually enjoy the most their Machine to Machine technology.
What makes M2M SIM cards different from standard sim cards?
Standard SIM cards
Standard SIM cards allow to store the required information helping to get connected to cellular networks. They proceed with the storage of things like your phone number as well as the network settings comprising which network carrier you should be connected to. SIMs can be either single or multi-network roaming. They are generally in three sizes: Micro (3FF), Nano (4FF), Mini (also known as 2FF) and can be as well embedded in a device.
It’s not possible to remove embedded SIM cards. The size of SIM card that suits you depends on the device for which you want to use it. A SIM card proves to be internationally identified by the ICC-ID (integrated Circuit Card Identifier) which is engraved upon the card’s body. The carrier also identifies it with its IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity).
Roaming SIMs
A roaming SIM appears to be a mobile SIM card able to get connected to more than a single network in its home country. Thus, if a network carrier happens to go down or in case there’s no possibility to gain a signal from one network, the roaming SIM will promptly deal with the next most powerful signal from one of those other networks accessible.
This means that you must never lose signal and assume there is at least one network that provides coverage. Roaming SIMs offer the steadiest connection options. If you use a regular SIM card, the signal will be non-existent or weak if a location is not covered by the particular network. However, with a roaming SIM, it is possible to switch to an accessible network.
How do M2M sim cards work?
M2M SIM cards give you the possibility to view your SIM estate’s status through a management platform. Currently, there are two different kinds of M2M sim card on the market. First, single-operator cards are available and only connect to a single operator specified when the card gets configured. It means that when the card is activated, it only has the possibility to get connected to that operator, the same way it happens with SIM cards used for mobile phones.
Second, certain multi-operator SIM cards have the ability to connect to different local networks of various countries. This means the smart object will get connected to the best network found according to two criteria: the signal’s quality and the network’s strength at one specific point in time.
In case a network failure occurs, the object is able to rescan for networks that are available and the SIM card has the capacity to get connected to a new one for m2m data. Therefore, this service offers the possibility to enhance service continuity, restrict the necessity for intervention by the care of technical experts. When doing so, it decreases call-out costs while optimizing productivity.