When considering IoT service providers, it’s important to look at each one from several angles. Do they offer global coverage (and if so, how)? What is their security level? What are the features of their IoT portal? Do they offer 24/7 technical support?
Global coverage
With any type of IoT device, you need stable coverage. Especially when a device requires constant connectivity for safety reasons, like an autonomous vehicle. If the network is congested, your IoT devices could go offline.
Therefore, it is essential to use a cellular service provider with robust capacity to mitigate this issue, especially if your deployment is in an urban area.
The security of your data
Data security is a major concern for most businesses. While security is always a key issue on cellular networks, depending on the nature of the IoT device, protecting customer data and ensuring that the network is hacker resistant is even more important.
So it’s especially important to find a provider that offers multiple layers of encryption on its IP network and will be able to provide VPN (Virtual Private Network) remote access without going through public IPs to reach your devices.
IoT Portal features
All IoT deployments are performed through the cellular service provider’s IoT portal (or its API). The access must be secured by a double authentication system and must offer several levels of credentials.
It must be easy to use and must offer usage reporting and triggered alert configuration.
All activation, suspension, termination and subscription change operations must be carried out via the network in OTA (over-the-air) mode.
Clear pricing with no hidden costs
When it comes to cellular IoT, there is no one-size-fits-all pricing because every project is different.
Instead, look for flexibility and scalability.
You can start your project with a pay-per-use offer and then position a dynamic pool for several devices to reduce your operating costs. These changes should be made through the IoT portal’s provider.
Transitions across networks
Even with global coverage, devices will need to switch from one network to another. It’s important to ensure that these transitions are smooth and seamless. What may be an interrupted call on a cell phone can become a much more serious incident for a mobile tracking device on a fleet of trucks.
24/7 Customer Service
Having access to 24/7 support to resolve any issue is necessary for many IoT device deployments.
Cellular IoT is the future
For IoT, cellular connectivity provides the broadest and most secure option for most deployments.
At Move & Connect, we offer the ultimate free solution:
- No commitment means you will always get the best service at the best cost.
- No constraint because we provide agnostic multi-IMSI sim cards* with 0 configuration and an easy-to-use management portal where all the operations are done in OTA (over-the-air)-
- No interruption thanks to 650 roaming agreements we’ve got a 200 countries coverage in 2G to 5G with a 24/7 friendly customer support.
*You have access to new connectivity partnerships without having to integrate or exchange SIM cards from other operators thanks to a proprietary technology that offers the same functionality as eSIMs on standard SIMs.