When an IoT based service, using mobile connectivity from a local mobile operator, goes from being a national service to becoming a global service, a number of challenges arise when it comes to mobile connectivity:

Is the radio access technology used in the IoT solution also available in the target markets?
How do you provide mobile connectivity in the target countries?
If using local operators there will be a need to manage different device SKUs for each country, as the SIM cards will be individual for each operator.
From a SIM management and cost point of view, each operator will have different SIM management interfaces and different pricing schemes.
Does the local operator have adequate coverage in the country for the service to function properly? Or is there a need to have several operators in the country to cover the connectivity needs of the service?
How do you best manage installation instructions when each local operator has individual APNs and SIM activation procedures?
Are the security implementations adequate for a fragmented connectivity solution that initially will be open to the public internet? Or will it be necessary to agree on a secure mobile network solution with each operator in each country, to avoid the devices being vulnerable to hacking?
How do you change a mobile operator in a country in case the pricing becomes too high? What will it cost to send someone to replace the SIM cards in each of the devices in the country? Is there a better solution?

In the above list, it is assumed that the choice is to use local operators in each country. However, there is an alternative, and that is to select a connectivity provider that provides global connectivity and security solutions under one contract, one management interface, and on just one universal SIM.

Commercial flexibility

These global connectivity offerings often also combine connectivity agreements from multiple operators into one flexible solution. The cost of connectivity varies a lot from network to network, and from country to country. At the same time, the terms and conditions including pricing can change over time. Therefore, it is important that your connectivity provider has multiple agreements with the same operator or network so there is commercial leverage. This leaves you in a less exposed situation if you can change agreements and preferred mobile networks to minimize the cost of your IoT traffic.

Zero touch

Remote SIM management over the air is also a prerequisite in order to manage the deployed SIMs, for example in the situations that we have mentioned in this post. It means that the SIM profile can be updated over the air with a different roaming IMSI or with a local SIM profile. This will to an extent future-proof your IoT deployments, and especially with an eSIM you will have maximum control. Read more about eSIM in eSIM: why you should switch now.

Here at Cobira, we would be happy to go through your connectivity needs.