In this simple guide, we will look at some very straightforward and useful information on how to choose a SIM card for your GPS tracker and how to configure it. We will cover:
1 - Standard SIM card;
2 - IoT SIM card;
3 - Configuration
1- Standard SIM card
Choosing a SIM card is actually very easy because the only reason you need one is to have data traffic so that the tracker can communicate with the server. We will look at this later. Obviously, in the world of trackers, there are also devices that arrive already configured with an included SIM card (like ours) for quick and easy use.
So which one should you choose? There are several options.
You can get a regular mobile phone SIM card from one of the best-known mobile operators. But let's consider a few things...
These SIM cards include an excessive amount of data for a GPS tracker, so you could spend much more than necessary. The average rates are around 7 to 10 euros per month (perhaps even less), with plans offering up to 50 GB of data. Keep in mind that a tracker, even with intensive use, may consume around 20 MB per month, so you will certainly have all the data you need. Obviously, the downside is the monthly cost. But does it still make sense to get these SIM cards? Yes, it does, but only if you are NOT also paying a monthly fee to use the tracker's tracking platform. The downside? These SIM cards limit you to use within your own country, so when traveling abroad, the GPS tracker may not work, or you may have to pay a higher rate due to using data outside the country.
2 - IoT SIM card
There is a better solution: IoT SIM cards (Internet of Things). These cards do everything the cards mentioned above do, but they cannot receive regular SMS messages or calls. What is their advantage? They are cheaper and, if you choose the right one, you are not required to pay every month. Some cards offer plans lasting one month at a time, others 12 months, while others have no time limit and can simply be “topped up” when you run out of data. These cards often come with plans offering 200 MB, 500 MB, or 6 GB, which, as mentioned earlier, are more than enough to let you monitor the device without any problems.
But it is not all smooth sailing, because these cards also have their limitations! Virtually all GPS trackers have a command system for managing and configuring their internal parameters, which can be done by sending SMS messages to the SIM card installed inside. If these IoT SIM cards cannot receive SMS messages, how do you configure them? You need to insert a regular SIM card (like the ones mentioned earlier) and send the configuration messages to it. After this operation, you can insert the IoT SIM card. Be careful! The command, such as setting the APN, must refer to the SIM card you will insert afterward, not the one currently inserted. We will look at this too later.
IoT SIM cards use a different system to receive messages, but their use is usually limited to the management platform, which can only be accessed by the software owners or resellers.
The greatest advantage of these SIM cards is their connectivity: they can switch operators depending on the area they are in, allowing you to monitor the tracker abroad as well. For example, if you are in Italy, the SIM card uses the Vodafone or Wind network and continues switching operators to ensure your connection. If you leave the country, the card will still be able to connect to foreign networks. In this regard, we recommend checking which countries are covered before purchasing (each company publishes a list of covered countries). In any case, for most products, you can rest assured because Europe is almost always included.
3 - Configuration
We will try to make all of this as simple as possible without getting too “nerdy” about connectivity.
The GPS tracker needs to know how to access the data network in order to use the SIM card's data connection (APN), and it also needs to know where to send this data so that you can see the location on the tracking app's map (Server).
Therefore, for the purposes of configuring the tracker, you only need to send 2 SMS commands (the commands vary depending on the manufacturer and are NOT standard).
To configure it correctly, you need 3 pieces of information:
- The commands to send to the tracker (each one has its own language);
- The SIM card's APN;
- The server coordinates.
Let's take an example of configuring a device, assuming that the SIM card has already been inserted and the tracker is switched on.
To set the APN, we send a message in the following format:
APN,iot.sim.com#
How do you know that the command was sent correctly? The devices send you a confirmation message in return.
The server settings will look something like this:
SERVER,0,123.567.8.901,23456#
These are the coordinates of the server where the tracker sends the information. The tracking platform reads the data and shows you the location on the map.
Usually, the device commands are provided by the manufacturer, the APN is provided by the company selling you the SIM card (although this information can also easily be found online), and the server address is provided by the tracking platform.
Conclusion:
With this article, we have covered the main things you need to know about SIM cards for your GPS tracker so that you can make an informed purchase. If you have any questions, you can still contact us, and we will be happy to share our experience with you.
If you still do not know which device to buy, you can read another article of ours dedicated to How to choose a GPS Tracker for your vehicle
Our solution:
All our devices are fully configured and equipped with a global SIM card already installed, with 5 years of tracking included, allowing you to view the location in real time without a monthly subscription: