IoT SIM Cards
Datablaze offers complete IoT scalability by providing the best IoT SIM card and data plan for each device in your IoT deployment – plus manage all your devices in one data management platform.
Connect your IoT devices in 220+ countries with over 675+ carriers.
Datablaze allows you to choose the best IoT SIM card with a data plan and carrier network for each IoT device required for your deployment. Whether you have ten SIMs or thousands, single-carrier or multi-carrier, you will also have exclusive access to Voyager, Datablaze’s IoT management platform.
Robust SIM Management Platform
4G/LTE, 5G
LTE-M (Cat M1)
NB-IoT
Detailed Data Usage Reporting
Secure Environment
IoT SIM cards allow wireless IoT devices equipped with cellular modules to connect just about anywhere around the world where cellular service is available. Given the diverse nature of IoT applications, each requiring distinct data plans and network connections, the ability to select tailored IoT data plans and carriers ensures seamless connectivity across various locations while optimizing costs.
Here are just a few of our operators.
We've partnered with the best wireless carriers.
Scalable All-in-One SIM Management Platform
Effortlessly oversee your Datablaze ONE multi-carrier SIMs alongside single-carrier SIMs and existing subscriber agreements, all within a unified platform. VOYAGER seamlessly integrates all cellular connectivity subscriptions, streamlining the management of data plans, usage, and billing.
- Activate, suspend, or terminate IoT SIM cards
- Send alerts to users before exceeding limits
- Visualize historical and real-time data usage
- Comprehensive API suite
What is an IoT SIM Card?
A SIM card, or Subscriber Identity Module card, is a small electronic chip that is inserted into mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices, to authenticate and identify the device on a cellular network. SIM cards store information such as the device’s unique identification number, mobile network credentials, and subscriber data.
In the context of IoT, there are specific SIM cards known as IoT SIM cards or M2M SIM cards (Machine-to-Machine SIM cards). These SIM cards are specifically designed for IoT devices that require cellular connectivity to send and receive data to and from other devices or device management platforms.
Unlike traditional SIM cards used in consumer mobile devices, IoT SIM cards primarily focus on providing reliable and cost-effective data connectivity rather than voice and text services. IoT devices typically rely on cellular data plans to transmit and receive data, which can include sensor data, telemetry, monitoring information, and other machine-generated data.
In IoT deployments, multiple devices are often connected, each equipped with an individual SIM card. This enables each device to have its own cellular connection and data plan. Managing and controlling these SIM cards and associated data plans in a centralized manner is made possible through a SIM management platform like VOYAGER. Such a platform allows administrators to activate, monitor, and manage the SIM cards, provision data plans, track data usage, and perform other necessary tasks to ensure efficient and secure connectivity for IoT devices.
M2M SIM Security
An IoT SIM data plan from Datablaze will have the option to use dynamic or static IP addresses. Static IP addresses provide a secure way of connecting to wireless devices that my need maintenance, pushed updates or need hardware configuration.
To connect wireless IoT devices securely a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is often used. This will ensure more sensitive data being transmitted to and from the device is encrypted. This blocks users outside the network from intercepting or interpreting the data. With IoT SIMs you can connect to your devices through a VPN for a more secure connection.
SIM Card Form Factors
Wireless devices are designed to accept a specific size SIM card. In most cases our IoT SIM cards are shipped as a 3-in-1 card with the ability to work with any of these 3 sizes.
- 2FF (Mini) – 25mm x 15mm – The original industry standard of all SIM form factors, used in larger wireless devices.
- 3FF (Micro) – 15mm x 12mm – About half the size of the mini-SIM, typically this size is used in mobile devices.
- 4FF (Nano) – 12.3mm x 8.8mm – A newer, smaller form factor designed to reduce space in small wireless devices.
eSIM – Also known as an embedded SIM card, are built into the IoT device. The SIM is embedded within the device by the OEM therefore, the card is not removable or interchangeable.
FAQs
IoT SIM Card FAQs
What is the difference between an IoT SIM card and an M2M SIM card?
These terms are used interchangeably. IoT, or Internet of Things, refers to devices that typically require little human interaction, such as sensors, smart devices, wireless routers, and IO switches. M2M, or machine-to-machine, is often used when referring to SIMs deployed in machines. The SIM cards themselves are typically identical.
What is the difference between a single-carrier and multi-carrier IoT SIM card?
A single-carrier IoT SIM connects to one carrier network, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T. It offers predictable pricing and performance, and works well when devices stay within a known coverage area. A multi-carrier IoT SIM can connect to multiple carrier networks from a single SIM. If one network is weak or unavailable, the device switches to another automatically. Multi-carrier SIMs fit mobile assets, wide-area deployments, and devices where downtime is not acceptable. Both SIM types are available from Datablaze and are managed in the same VOYAGER platform.
What are the differences between M2M SIM cards and traditional consumer SIM cards?
Traditional SIMs are made for consumer products such as smartphones and tablets. M2M SIMs are typically subscribed to NB-IoT, CAT-M1, LTE, and 5G business data accounts in bulk. Since most IoT applications only transmit data, voice is rarely included. Some M2M SIMs are offered as industrial SIM cards, designed to withstand wear, higher vibration, and more extreme temperatures.
Can I use a regular SIM card in an IoT device?
In many cases a consumer SIM will physically fit and connect, but it isn't built for the job. Consumer plans are priced for smartphone usage, lack centralized management, and often prohibit machine use in their terms of service. IoT SIM cards provide data plans sized for machine traffic, bulk management through a platform, and options like static IPs and private APNs that consumer plans don't offer.
How much does an IoT SIM card cost?
IoT SIM pricing depends on the data plan, not the card. The main factors are how much data each device uses, the carrier and coverage area, the number of SIMs deployed, and whether data is pooled across the fleet. Low-usage sensors can cost a few dollars per month, while high-bandwidth devices are priced closer to broadband plans. Datablaze provides pricing based on your deployment, and every plan includes access to VOYAGER.
What sizes are M2M SIM cards available in?
SIM cards come in three standard sizes: 2FF (Mini, 25mm × 15mm), 3FF (Micro, 15mm × 12mm), and 4FF (Nano, 12.3mm × 8.8mm). Many SIMs ship as a triple-cut card with all three sizes in one. The correct size is determined by the device or modem manufacturer. If you're not sure which size you need, check with your device manufacturer or SIM provider.
What is a steered IoT SIM card?
Carriers often allow their SIMs to roam across other networks when signal is poor or nonexistent. A steered SIM always connects to the primary provider's network, even when the signal is weak. If no coverage is available, the SIM is steered to the least expensive available network. A non-steered SIM lets the device choose which network to connect to, usually based on the strongest signal detected.
What is an APN and why do IoT SIMs need a private APN?
An APN (Access Point Name) is the gateway between the cellular network and the internet. It handles authentication and security protocols for the SIM and manages what type of traffic can reach the device. Public APNs are provided by most mobile network operators with basic configurations. A private APN lets you customize network settings and authentication, isolating your devices from public traffic for stronger security.
What is a static IP address and why would an IoT SIM card need one?
Most connected devices use dynamic IP addresses assigned by the network, which can change every time the device connects. A static IP assigns one fixed address that never changes. Static IPs are used when a device needs to be securely reached for monitoring or maintenance regardless of location, such as remote CCTV cameras in security deployments.
How do I order IoT SIM cards?
Datablaze offers IoT SIM cards across multiple carriers and data plans so you can find the most cost-effective service for your application. Every data plan purchased through Datablaze includes access to VOYAGER, which provides complete visibility of active SIMs, assigned data plans, and data usage. Request pricing to get started.