A global solution for multi-country IoT deployments
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The mobile cellular connectivity market has standardised on roaming as a simple mechanism that provides connectivity at home and abroad. Today, millions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices use the same mechanism to connect to networks across the world allowing devices to travel between countries – such as shipping containers – and for manufacturers to create a single product with a single SIM that can access connectivity globally.
The challenge of roaming
Roaming agreements between mobile network operators allow devices to stay connected across many countries and networks. Unlike the global standards that underpins connectivity, roaming regulations can vary from country to country. Whilst trading blocs like the European Union (EU) have harmonised policies, other countries limit, restrict or ban roaming for devices that reside permanently in their country.
Countries like Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia have regulations that prohibit or limit the use of permanent roaming services. In others, like Australia, Canada and the United States (US), there are no regulatory prohibitions, but local mobile network operators often have commercial policies that restrict incoming roaming connections for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
For IoT device manufacturers this is a complication. This requires them to know where their devices will be sent and then to ensure that they are fitted with the correct SIM profile for the target market. This drives more complexity in the manufacturing and supply chains and requires the manufacturer to have agreements with multiple network operators.
Establishing technical and commercial relationships with multiple network providers and managing all the different roaming regulations is therefore both time consuming and expensive, which is why Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and global manufacturers of IoT devices are increasingly turning to established international mobile network operators to take care of all the commercial and technical elements of connecting internationally.
A truly global SIM
Vodafone has developed the capability to integrate roaming with local connectivity to provide a single SIM solution that operates globally, irrespective of local regulations that inhibit the use of permanent roaming. Furthermore, this solution ensures that our customers get seamless and regulatory-compliant connectivity management in otherwise highly restricted markets.
The solution is Vodafone’s Global SIM+.
Global SIM+ operates by converting the global roaming SIM to a local country SIM in four simple steps:
- IoT devices bootstrap with Vodafone’s profile and are connected to our global IoT connectivity platform – Global Data Service Platform (GDSP)
- Once a device reaches the country where it is going to be used, the Global SIM+ automatically downloads the local profile from our GDSP, which then triggers the download into the customer device SIM
- The GDSP platform then activates the SIM with the local network
- Once connectivity is established, our platform allows SIM management on the local network provider, allowing customers to remotely manage all their devices from one place
A managed global connectivity
Vodafone’s Global SIM+ avoids customers having to contract with lots of different network providers, instead giving them regulatory-compliant global connectivity. It allows customers to view, activate and deactivate all their devices’ SIMs through Vodafone’s IoT platform no matter which country they are operating.
For more information about how Vodafone could help your business expand, why not take a look at our Managed IoT Connectivity services.
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