The Essentials

What Is an IoT SIM?

An IoT SIM is a data SIM built for devices rather than people — routers, sensors, trackers, payment terminals and machines. Unlike a consumer SIM tied to one operator, a multi-network IoT SIM can attach to several networks and, when non-steered, connects to whichever has the strongest signal at the device’s location, switching if that network fails. Plans are sized for machine traffic — megabytes, not gigabytes — so costs start at a few euro per month, and every SIM in a fleet is managed, monitored and billed together through one online portal.

That last part matters more than any single feature: when you have forty SIMs in forty machines, the portal and the single bill are what keep it manageable.

Why IoT Plans

Priced for Machines, Not Phones

A sensor sends kilobytes. A router heartbeat sips megabytes. Paying phone-plan prices for machine traffic is how connectivity budgets die.

Bundles From 10MB to Gigabytes

A gate controller or tracker sips 10MB a month; a CCTV site streams gigabytes. Bundles are sized to the device — from €2/month at the low end — so a failover router that’s idle all year never pays CCTV prices.

NB-IoT & LTE-M Ready

The low-power network types built for battery devices — loggers and sensors that run for years — supported alongside standard 4G and 5G data.

One Portal, One Bill

Activate, suspend, monitor and troubleshoot every SIM from one online portal with 30+ report types — one contract, one SLA, one invoice for the whole fleet.

Staged Into Your Hardware

SIMs don’t arrive in envelopes — they arrive fitted, tested and working inside the router or device we stage for you in Galway.

Get It Priced

Tell Us Four Things, Get a Real Quote

SIM pricing depends on what you’re actually doing — four answers let us quote it properly, usually same day.

1. What are you connecting? — Router, sensor, tracker, payment terminal, machine? Roughly how many devices?
2. How much data, roughly? — A monthly figure if you know it, or just describe the traffic (“hourly sensor readings”, “CCTV clips on alarm”, “failover only”).
3. Where will the devices live? — Ireland only, or shipping abroad? Fixed sites or moving?
4. Anything special? — NB-IoT/LTE-M battery devices, VPN or fixed addressing, an existing operator agreement to work around.

Send Us Your Answers — Get a Quote  or call +353 91 757500

FAQ

IoT SIM Questions, Answered

What is an IoT SIM?

A data SIM built for devices rather than people — routers, sensors, trackers and machines. Multi-network IoT SIMs can attach to several operators, and non-steered versions connect to whichever network is strongest at the device’s location. Plans are sized for machine traffic, so costs start at a few euro per month, with every SIM managed through one portal on one bill.

What does non-steered actually mean?

A steered multi-network SIM prefers one “home” operator and only roams reluctantly. A non-steered SIM has no favourite — it attaches to the strongest available network at the site, whichever of Vodafone, Three or Eir that is, and moves if that network degrades. For a device in a fixed spot with imperfect coverage, that difference is reliability.

Should I choose a single-network or a multi-network SIM?

Single-network SIMs are the cheapest option and right where you know the site has strong coverage from one operator. Multi-network non-steered SIMs cost a little more and connect to whichever of Vodafone, Three or Eir is strongest — the safer call for remote sites, moving assets or unproven signal. The choice affects both price and coverage, so we recommend per deployment.

How much do IoT SIMs cost?

Plans start from €2 per month for low-data devices, with bundles running from 10MB a month for a gate controller or tracker up to gigabytes for CCTV — a fleet is quoted on its real traffic profile rather than a one-size plan. Tell us what you’re connecting and the rough data per month and we’ll price it, usually same day.

Can the same SIM work outside Ireland?

Yes — the SIMs roam across 440+ networks in around 200 countries, which is why Irish machine builders ship them inside equipment deployed across Europe and beyond: staged once, working wherever the machine lands.

Do I need a static IP SIM to reach my devices remotely?

Usually not. Our SmartNetVPN service and router platforms like RCMS reach devices on ordinary SIMs — the router connects outward, so nothing is exposed on a public address. It’s more secure than static IPs and cheaper too.

Can you supply the SIM already fitted in a router?

That’s our standard model: the SIM ships fitted, tested and configured inside the staged router or device — connect power and antenna on site and it’s online. See our industrial router range.