IoT connectivity FAQ, cross-border, Multi-IMSI, Africa | CommsCloud

Frequently asked questions

Some questions we have been asked over the years regarding cellular connectivity and IoT

How do I choose a connectivity partner for my IoT Project?

There are some key questions to ask yourself when choosing a connectivity partner for your IoT Project.

USE CASE questions:

Is latency an issue? Do we require uninterrupted Service? Do we need connectivity across several countries? What format SIM do I need, is it required to be integrated or inserted? Is my device's firewall able to operate with multi-IMSI's?

Can this potential provider offer me SIMs that fulfil these Use Case requirements

If my IoT project requires cellular connectivity, how can I contract and connect my devices in multiple locations, regions and countries?

Ensure that your connectivity partner can provide you with a multi-IMSI SIM card, which will allow you to connect to multiple operators for cost efficiency and latency management.

What other key considerations when choosing a connectivity partner?

When you have issues with connectivity on your IoT devices, and there will be some, often speed to resolution is of the essence. Resolutions will be quicker and more successful if you can talk direct to connectivity experts who understand the device and the way it might operate on the network. Not many MNOs deliver this. At CommsCloud, you get 24/7 support from our engineers because we understand the urgency when managing your IoT project.

What is an IMSI?

IMSI stands for International mobile subscriber identity, which is a 15-digit unique number allocated to every user in a Global System for mobile communication (GSM). The IMSI is used by mobile network Operators (MNOs) and is an important part of the SIM (Subscriber identity Module) profile.

The 15 digits of the IMSI number consist of three parts that help identify the user:

• Mobile Country Code (MCC).The first 2 or 3 digits of the IMSI identifies the country the user operates in.
• Mobile Network code (MNC).The next 1 to 3 digits identifies the MNO the user is associated with.
• Mobile Subscription Identification Number (MSIN). The last 9 or 10 digits of the IMSI is a unique combination of digits to identify the SIM card user.

What is the difference between a single IMSI on a SIM card, and multi-IMSI technology? IMSIs are stored on the SIM card, and so if you have a single IMSI on a SIM, your device will connect to a single MNO, and whoever they have roaming agreements with. That means when your SIM card holds multiple IMSIs, it can hold multiple profiles, too, allowing your SIM to connect to more operators. What makes multi-IMSI perfect for IoT device use cases?

Because an IoT solution is far more likely to travel, needing to connect locally wherever users might be. Think about a Cargo company that is part of an international supply and requires tracking and monitoring their vehicles. As it moves across different regions where various operators will support connectivity, in just one journey, IoT devices might need to switch networks multiple times. With a single IMSI solution, they can't help but lose coverage or experience gaps in service, and yet the business cannot afford to lose coverage or visibility of the devices' location, or of any other relevant metrics it may be sending via a cloud integration.

What other problems are there with single IMSI SIM cards when it comes to IoT?

A single IMSI provides a smaller list of network operators covered. Without a multi-IMSI solution, you're opening yourself up to risk in terms of network faults. If your local network or the home network from the MNO goes down, you have no service at all, which can be catastrophic for critical IoT use cases. With a multi-IMSI applet, your devices can automatically connect to the networks which are held by the other IMSIs on the SIM, and no harm is done.

Is multi-IMSI the same as eUICC profiles?

The quick answer is, no. While an eUICC SIM can hold multiple operator profiles, you can't switch seamlessly from one to the other. In fact, when you change your operator, you need to completely move from the previous one, and integrate with a different Subscription Manager Secure Routing service (SM-SR) and the Subscription Manager data Preparation (SM-DP) for the new operator. As most eUICCs are registered to a specific SM-SR platform, this can add a lot of expense and overhead in integration. Every time you want to add an MNO to your eUICC, each partnership will need to be entered into individually, with a separate contract and service level agreement (SLA) to manage.

In contrast, a multi-IMSI technology solution is all managed through a single connectivity provider, who themselves holds the existing relationships with multiple network operators, each providing their international mobile subscriber identities, and then held in a single SIM. When devices need additional coverage, or a network fault is detected, these profiles can be switched OTA (over the air), allowing for remote SIM provisioning of the new IMSI, in real-time.

the connectivity platform have created a solution with the best of both worlds, where an eUICC SIM can be used with floSIM in the first profile. This gives the ultimate level of flexibility, without the need for multiple relationships with individual MNOs, but with the freedom to switch to a new vendor where necessary. Are there any other benefits of a multi-IMSI SIM card that I should consider?

Another great win for IoT customers who utilize multi-IMSI SIM cards is the ability to sidestep over-reliance on roaming agreements. With roaming partners, there are a lot of regulations and hoops to jump through. In some countries roaming is not suitable at all, and in others there is a strict time limit on how long an IoT solution can connect to the networks and remain compliant.

As multi-IMSI connectivity relies on direct relationships with the local network operators, your IoT devices are always using local connectivity, and never need to rely on roaming agreements alone, only as part of a smart, flexible and compliant full connectivity solution. It's the simplest way to achieve compliant global connectivity that we've ever heard of!

What is the difference between ICCID, IMSI and IMEI numbers?

An IMSI identifies the user in the GSM (Global System for mobile communication) and is a portion of the SIM profile, but it doesn't identify the SIM card itself. The Integrated Circuit Card ID (ICCID number) identifies the actual SIM card itself and not necessarily the user. For example, you could have three SIM cards for three separate devices you use, and each SIM card would have a unique ICCID. You would still only have one IMSI to identify you as the device user. Your MSO would use your IMSI within your SIM cards to authenticate your device when it attempts to connect to a network.

Looking at it another way: each mobile phone has a separate identification number that's unique to each device called the International mobile Equipment identity (IMEI) number. So if you had two mobile phones, each phone would have a IMEI number, each of your two SIM cards would have a unique ICCID, and you would still only have one IMSI number. This could be different depending on your network provider

What are the challenges with IMSI numbers for IoT?

In most situations, having only one IMSI isn't a problem for most standard use projects. But this can cause problems with the IoT for device managers. If you have many connected devices, you might experience these two main challenges with your IMSIs:

Lack of coverage across Locations

With some devices, you might be require coverage across the length and breadth of one country, or even multiple countries. Within each country, your devices will only be able to connect with that MNO. If that MNO has poor coverage in an area, your devices can lose connectivity. There is the option to try and connect through your MNOs roaming partners in these areas, but these networks might not be the best connections in that area or results in hefty costs. So your national or international IoT network can suffer from connectivity issues with a traditional one IMSI MNO provider.

IMSI Network Challenges

Your IMSI forces you to rely on a single network carrier. While that can keep things simple, the MNOs weaknesses become your weaknesses. Dead zones, outdated technology, and changing prices affect you and you have little control over it. You might have to pay more for your coverage if your MNO raises the cost, or experience dead zones without failover. An single IMSI can tether you to the individual network's challenges.

What should I consider before locking into a single MNO?

You have worked hard to launch your IoT project. You want to ensure that your provider can give your IoT project appropriate coverage, consistent pricing, and flexibility. You don't want your IoT project suffering from the lack of coverage and network challenges of traditional MNOs, especially if it spans multiple countries or continents.

Instead, look for services providers that can provide you with the control of your IMSI network and coverage.