Our Fixed IP SIM Cards FAQ page will hopefully answer your questions about Fixed IP SIM’s, How they work, the different types of SIM cards, sending and receiving SMS messages, the differences between different types of SIM cards (Roaming SIM Cards, Multi-Network SIM Cards, IoT SIM Cards, M2M SIM Cards, eSIM) and information about different applications using these types of IoT Data SIM cards for your remote management or monitoring application. We also answer questions about configuring routers for use with these M2M SIM cards about the contracts and payment options.
If you do not find your answer here then drop us an email, fill in our contact us form or give us a call on 0113 824 1481 and speak to our knowledgeable SIM sales team.
M2M/IoT SIM cards are specifically designed for machine-to-machine and Internet of Things applications, while standard SIM cards are meant for consumer devices like smartphones and tablets. M2M SIMs allow machines to send and receive data in real-time, enabling applications like GPS tracking, process automation, and remote monitoring.
M2M SIM cards are significantly more robust than consumer SIMs. They can withstand extreme temperatures, are corrosion-resistant, and can tolerate vibration and sudden movements. This makes them suitable for industrial and exposed environments.
M2M SIMs often offer multi-network roaming capabilities, allowing devices to connect to multiple carriers rather than being locked to a single provider. This is particularly beneficial for logistics and transportation sectors.
IoT/M2M SIMs can be remotely managed through a single portal, allowing businesses to access data from multiple SIMs in real-time. This centralized control is crucial for managing large-scale IoT deployments.
M2M SIMs often come with more flexible data plans tailored to IoT applications, such as shared data pools across devices or pay-as-you-go options. They may also support data plan aggregation, where adding SIMs to a project increases the overall data cap.
IoT SIMs typically use private APNs (Access Point Names) and can be configured with fixed public or private IPs, providing enhanced security compared to standard cellular networks.
M2M SIM cards generally have a longer lifespan than traditional SIMs, with some lasting up to ten years or more, especially embedded SIMs.
Using standard consumer SIMs in M2M/IoT devices may violate telecom operators’ terms of service. M2M SIMs are designed to comply with regulations for machine-to-machine communications.
These differences make M2M/IoT SIM cards better suited for business and industrial applications that require robust, flexible, and secure connectivity for devices and sensors.
When implementing IoT solutions with fixed IP SIM cards, it’s crucial to understand the two main approaches service providers use to deliver fixed IP addresses: NAT and non-NAT. Both methods have their advantages and considerations, particularly in the context of IoT deployments.
In this approach, the IoT device or 4G router is assigned a public fixed IP address directly.
Characteristics:
This approach assigns a private fixed IP address to the IoT device or 4G router, typically in the 10.x.x.x range, and uses NAT to communicate with the public internet.
Characteristics:
Both NAT and non-NAT approaches to fixed IP SIM cards have their place in IoT deployments. The choice depends on specific project requirements, security considerations, and the nature of the IoT application. Understanding these differences allows organisations to select the most appropriate solution for their IoT connectivity needs, ensuring efficient and secure communication for their devices.
Fixed IP SIM cards work by providing a device with a static, unchanging IP address for consistent network connectivity. These SIM cards can be configured with either public or private IP addresses, each offering distinct advantages for different applications.
Unlike regular SIM cards that receive dynamic IP addresses, a fixed IP SIM is assigned a specific, permanent IP address. This address remains constant every time the device connects to the network.
When a device with a fixed IP SIM connects to the cellular network (4G/5G/LTE):
Fixed IP SIMs send data packets over cellular networks to communicate with servers or other devices. They typically use less data than consumer SIMs, often around 100MB per month or less.
The static IP allows consistent access to the device, but it’s crucial to implement proper security measures, especially for public IP SIMs:
When using a Fixed IP SIM card, particularly with a public IP address, it’s crucial to pair it with a suitable industrial-grade router. These routers offer:
The Millbeck 4G Router Store team can provide expert guidance on selecting and configuring the right router for your specific needs. They can assist with:
Fixed IP SIMs are commonly used in:
By providing a consistent, known IP address (either public or private), fixed IP SIM cards enable reliable machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and remote device management for various IoT and industrial applications. The choice between public and private IP depends on the specific security requirements and access needs of the application.
A steered roaming IoT SIM card is programmed by its provider to prefer specific networks when roaming. This means it will connect primarily to the networks that the provider has chosen, often based on agreements or partnerships. If the preferred network is available, the SIM card will prioritize it, even if a stronger or more reliable network is nearby.
An unsteered or non-steered roaming IoT SIM card doesn’t prioritize any network when roaming. It will automatically connect to the best available network based on criteria like signal strength, network quality, and stability. This can result in more reliable and consistent connectivity, especially in areas with limited network coverage.
With steered SIMs, connectivity is typically limited to preferred networks, which may not have the best coverage in certain areas. Unsteered SIMs, on the other hand, have the freedom to switch to the best network, providing broader coverage and more robust connectivity across regions.
The best choice depends on your IoT application needs:
Yes, steered SIM cards can switch networks, but they will only do so if the preferred network becomes unavailable. An unsteered SIM will select the best network based on real-time availability and signal strength without prioritizing a specific provider.
Unsteered SIMs often cost more than steered SIMs, as they utilize multiple networks without restrictions, providing more flexible and reliable coverage. The choice between steered and unsteered SIMs should balance cost considerations with your connectivity needs.
Unsteered SIMs generally perform better for international IoT deployments due to their ability to seamlessly connect to the best network in each region. Steered SIMs may limit connectivity options in regions where the preferred networks have limited coverage.
Consider your deployment environment and requirements:
Yes, of course.
Give our IoT specialists a call on 0113 824 1481 to discuss your requirements. We can assist with new projects for hardware and SIM cards as well as discuss the options available from moving your installed base of customers over to Millbeck.
CGNAT (Carrier Grade NAT) is a network address translation technique used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to conserve IPv4 addresses. Here’s an explanation of CGNAT and why it prevents remote access to your router when using a standard network SIM card:
Carrier Grade NAT, also known as Large Scale NAT (LSN), is a method where multiple customers share a single public IP address. With CGNAT:
When using a standard network SIM card with CGNAT:
This means you can’t:
Because of CGNAT:
To overcome CGNAT limitations:
When using a Fixed IP SIM card, it’s crucial to implement proper security measures:
The Millbeck 4G Router Store team can provide expert guidance on selecting appropriate hardware and implementing secure configurations for remote access solutions.
No, you cannot use DynDNS (Dynamic DNS) with a standard SIM card to access your router remotely. Here’s why:
Standard mobile broadband SIM cards in the UK use Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT), which presents several obstacles:
DynDNS requires a public IP address to function properly. With a standard SIM card:
The most reliable way to access your router remotely is to use a Fixed IP SIM card:
When using a Fixed IP SIM card, it’s crucial to:
The Millbeck 4G Router Store team can provide expert guidance on selecting appropriate hardware and implementing secure configurations for remote access solutions using Fixed IP SIM cards.
When using a Fixed IP SIM card, your 4G/5G router may not always get a true public IP address directly allocated to it. The implementation can vary depending on the provider. Here’s a more nuanced explanation:
It’s important to clarify with your Fixed IP SIM provider exactly how they implement their service. Whether using direct public IP allocation or NAT with fixed mapping, these solutions still offer significant advantages over standard SIM cards for remote access and management.
When setting up your system:
The Millbeck 4G Router Store team can provide guidance on selecting the right Fixed IP SIM solution and configuring your router appropriately for your specific requirements, taking into account these different implementation methods.
In many cases, SMS functionality is not automatically available or enabled on M2M/IoT SIM cards. The ability to send or receive SMS messages depends on the specific plan and provider. Here’s a more accurate overview:
When considering Fixed IP SIM cards with SMS functionality, potential use cases include:
By clearly communicating your needs for both Fixed IP and SMS functionality to the Millbeck team, they can guide you to the most appropriate M2M SIM plan that meets your specific requirements, ensuring your IoT deployment has all the necessary communication capabilities.
An APN (Access Point Name) is a crucial component when using fixed IP SIM cards. Here’s an explanation of APNs in relation to fixed IP SIM cards:
Understanding and correctly configuring the APN is essential for successfully using fixed IP SIM cards in IoT, M2M, and other applications requiring consistent, addressable connections.
When we dispatch your SIM card, we will send a cover letter with details of the correct APN, authentication and passwords required. When you install the SIM card into your router you will need to connect a laptop to the router and access the routers web interface and configure the APN.
You can see this process for Proroute and Teltonika routers in the videos below, other manufacturers will have different router configuration options.
Country | Operator | TADIG code | Covered Area | Included in EU Economy Zone |
Austria | Hutchison Drei Austria GmbH | AUTCA | Austria | Yes |
Austria | T-Mobile Austria GmbH | AUTMM | Austria | Yes |
Austria | A1 Telekom Austria AG | AUTPT | Austria | Yes |
Belgium | Telenet | BELKO | Belgium | Yes |
Belgium | ORANGE Belgium nv/SA | BELMO | Belgium | Yes |
Bulgaria | A1 Bulgaria EAD | BGR01 | Bulgaria | Yes |
Bulgaria | Telenor Bulgaria EAD | BGRCM | Bulgaria | Yes |
Bulgaria | Bulgarian Telecommunications Company EAD | BGRVA | Bulgaria | Yes |
Croatia | Hrvatski Telekom d.d. | HRVCN | Croatia | Yes |
Croatia | Tele2 d.o.o za telekomunikacijske usluge | HRVT2 | Croatia | Yes |
Croatia | VIPnet d.o.o. | HRVVI | Croatia | Yes |
Cyprus | Cyprus Telecommunications Authority | CYPCT | Cyprus | Yes |
Cyprus | MTN Cyprus Limited | CYPSC | Cyprus | Yes |
Czech Republic | Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. | CZECM | Czech Republic | Yes |
Czech Republic | O2 Czech Republic a.s. | CZEET | Czech Republic | Yes |
Denmark | Telenor A/S | DNKDM | Denmark | Yes |
Denmark | HI3G Denmark ApS | DNKHU | Denmark | Yes |
Estonia | Telia Eesti AS | ESTEM | Estonia | Yes |
Estonia | Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaselts | ESTRB | Estonia | Yes |
Finland | DNA Plc | FIN2G | Finland | Yes |
Finland | Telia Finland Oyj | FINTF | Finland | Yes |
France | Orange | FRAF1 | France | Yes |
France | Bouygues Télécom | FRAF3 | France | Yes |
Germany | Telekom Deutschland GmbH | DEUD1 | Germany | Yes |
Germany | Vodafone GmbH | DEUD2 | Germany | Yes |
Gibraltar | Gibtelecom Limited | GIBGT | Gibraltar | Yes |
Greece | Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications S.A. | GRCCO | Greece | Yes |
Greece | Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A. | GRCPF | Greece | Yes |
Greece | Wind Hellas Telecommunications S.A. | GRCSH | Greece | Yes |
Hungary | Telenor Magyarország Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság | HUNH1 | Hungary | Yes |
Hungary | Vodafone Hungary Mobile Telecommunications Company Limited | HUNVR | Hungary | Yes |
Iceland | Nova ehf. | ISLNO | Iceland | Yes |
Ireland | Vodafone Ireland Limited | IRLEC | Ireland | Yes |
Ireland | Meteor Mobile Communications Limited | IRLME | Ireland | Yes |
Italy | Wind Tre S.p.A. | ITAH3 | Italy | Yes |
Italy | Vodafone Italia S.p.A | ITAOM | Italy | Yes |
Italy | Wind Tre S.p.A. (ITAWI) | ITAWI | Italy | Yes |
Latvia | Tele2 SIA | LVABC | Latvia | Yes |
Latvia | Latvijas Mobilais Telefons | LVALM | Latvia | Yes |
Liechtenstein | Telecom Liechtenstein AG | LIEMK | Liechtenstein | Yes |
Lithuania | UAB Tele2 | LTU03 | Lithuania | Yes |
Lithuania | Telia Lietuva AB | LTUOM | Lithuania | Yes |
Luxembourg | POST Luxembourg | LUXPT | Luxembourg | Yes |
Luxembourg | Tango SA | LUXTG | Luxembourg | Yes |
Luxembourg | Orange Communications Luxembourg S.A. | LUXVM | Luxembourg | Yes |
Malta | GO p.l.c. | MLTGO | Malta | Yes |
Malta | Vodafone Malta Limited | MLTTL | Malta | Yes |
Netherlands | KPN B.V. | NLDPT | Netherlands | Yes |
Norway | Telia Norge AS | NORNC | Norway | Yes |
Norway | Telenor Norge AS | NORTM | Norway | Yes |
Poland | T-Mobile Polska S.A. | POL02 | Poland | Yes |
Poland | Orange Polska S.A. | POL03 | Poland | Yes |
Poland | Polkomtel Sp. z o.o. | POLKM | Poland | Yes |
Poland | P4 Sp. z o.o. | POLP4 | Poland | Yes |
Portugal | NOS – Comunicações, S.A. | PRTOP | Portugal | Yes |
Portugal | Vodafone Portugal – Comunicações Pessoais, S.A. | PRTTL | Portugal | Yes |
Romania | Telekom Romania Mobile Communications S.A. | ROMCS | Romania | Yes |
Romania | S.C. Orange România S.A. | ROMMR | Romania | Yes |
Slovakia | Slovak Telekom, a.s. (T-Mobile group) | SVKET | Slovakia | Yes |
Slovakia | Orange Slovensko, a.s. | SVKGT | Slovakia | Yes |
Slovakia | O2 Slovakia, s.r.o. | SVKO2 | Slovakia | Yes |
Slovenia | Telekom Slovenije d.d. | SVNMT | Slovenia | Yes |
Slovenia | Telemach d.o.o. | SVNVG | Slovenia | Yes |
Spain | Vodafone España, S.A.U. | ESPAT | Spain | Yes |
Spain | Orange Espagne, S.A., sociedad unipersonal | ESPRT | Spain | Yes |
Sweden | Telenor Sverige AB | SWEEP | Sweden | Yes |
Sweden | Tele2 AB | SWEIQ | Sweden | Yes |
Sweden | Telia Company AB | SWETR | Sweden | Yes |
Switzerland | Sunrise Communications AG | CHEDX | Switzerland | Yes |
Switzerland | Salt Mobile SA | CHEOR | Switzerland | Yes |
United Kingdom | Telefónica UK Limited | GBRCN | United Kingdom | Yes |
United Kingdom | EE Limited | GBRME | United Kingdom | Yes |
United Kingdom | EE Limited | GBROR | United Kingdom | Yes |
United Kingdom | Vodafone Ltd | GBRVF | United Kingdom | Yes |
It will depend upon your router, for example in most industrial M2M / IoT routers, you will have the option to either lock your roaming SIM to a particular network, and some routers will even let you set a preferred network. This is ideal if you have a particular preference in your installation location based upon network speed or perhaps the number of cell towers in that location.
In most cases you will need to know the operator network code – we have listed the UK ones below:-
You can compare the above to this older list with previous network names and the following also contains Jersey and Guernsey Telecom SIM cards which are sometimes used as roaming SIM cards in the UK.
23420 = Hutchinson 3G (3) – United Kingdom
23410 = O2 – United Kingdom
23415 = Vodafone – United Kingdom
23430, 23431, 23432 = T-Mobile – Virgin – UK
23433 = Orange – United Kingdom
23450 = Jersey Telecom GSM – United Kingdom
23455 = Guernsey Telecoms GSM – United Kingdom
23458 = Manx Telecom Pronto GSM – United Kingdom
23400 = Virgin 3510i
23400001 = Virgin
Once your initial contract term comes to an end your SIM service will revert to a monthly rolling contract with 30 days cancellation notice required.
If you are out of contract and you want to cancel your SIM contract you will need to email sales@millbeckcomms.co.uk with details about the SIM and that you wish to cancel the service.
Once we receive this written notification, your SIM will be cancelled after 30 days and a final bill sent.
If you are still in contract then an account manager will contact you and discuss the options, but in most cases you will be required to pay any outstanding rentals due under the contract terms.
In most cases, to help manage costs and to provide an efficient service, our payment terms are by monthly direct debit.
If your company is unable to pay using direct debit then contact our sales team to discuss your requirements and we look look at advance annual payments or possibly the option of credit terms depending upon the number and type of SIM’s required.
If you have queries regarding payment terms
The quickest way to get support is to take screen shots of your router web admin pages where you have configured your APN settings, as well as screen shots of your mobile network status pages and main router status page so we can quickly identify any issues.
You can also check basic things like, checking to see of the router can see the SIM is inserted , whether you have any mobile network service in the router location (try moving to a slightly different location and checking), ensuring that the CELL antennas are all connected.
Here’s a simple port forwarding guide for HiKvision NVR, tailored for users with a 4G or 5G router using a Fixed IP SIM card with a fixed, public IP address:
Port Forwarding Guide for HiKvision NVR
Standard HiKvision Ports:
Security Advisements:
Important: For port forwarding to work, the HiKvision NVR must be correctly configured on the LAN. It should be on the same subnet as the router, and its default gateway must be set to the router’s LAN IP address.
Remember: Your Fixed IP SIM card provides a public IP address. Use this IP to access your NVR remotely, along with the appropriate port number.
Note: Port forwarding opens your NVR to the internet. Only do this if necessary and ensure all security measures are in place.
In the UK, 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology, aimed at enhancing IoT and industrial applications with a simplified 5G solution, is being trialed by BT (which includes the EE network) and Vodafone.
BT, in collaboration with Nokia and MediaTek, is testing RedCap as part of its commitment to IoT and connected applications. This trial includes a partnership with Nokia’s AirScale Radio Access Network, showcasing how RedCap 5G can deliver efficient, lower-cost 5G solutions tailored for IoT and devices requiring less bandwidth than standard 5G but more than LTE.
Similarly, Vodafone has partnered with Ericsson and Qualcomm in European RedCap trials, aiming to implement this technology in connected devices across various sectors. RedCap enables Vodafone to support industries needing reliable connectivity with lower power consumption and reduced device complexity, crucial for IoT and industrial operations.
Both networks’ trials suggest 5G RedCap may soon become commercially available in the UK, targeting industries and sectors where IoT is essential.
Teltonika have already announced the launch of their Redcap 5G Routers – the RUT271 and RUT976 in readiness for the rollout of this exciting new 5G Technology.
At the 4G Router store we stock industrial grade mobile broadband IoT and M2M 4G and 5G routers and eSIM Routers from leading manufacturers along with 4G & 5G antennas and Fixed IP SIM cards, Roaming SIM Cards and Multi-Network SIM cards and eSIM services.
sales@millbeckcomms.co.uk
4G ROUTER STORE / Millbeck Communications Ltd, 6 Arena Park, Tarn Lane, Leeds, LS17 9BF
0113 824 1481
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