IoT SIM Cards - IoT Telekom

IoT SIM Cards

Our IoT SIM portfolio: Highest flexibility for your project
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To whichever environment your IoT ideas take us –
we have the right SIM card

SIM cards are at the heart of all mobile communication. When used in IoT projects, they must function under a wide variety of conditions. Therefore, they also have the most diverse requirements:

Robustness
Whether in refrigerated warehouses, foundries, or containers on cargo ships, SIM cards must function reliably under wide-ranging conditions.
Flexibility
They must support numerous network technologies, such as classic cellular, 2G, 3G/UMTS, 4G/LTE, 5G, NBIoT, and LTE-M, as well as combinations of these.

Longevity
For many IoT projects, SIM cards must function for many years without maintenance or battery replacement.
Cost-efficiency
Especially in massive IoT projects, where larger quantities of SIM cards are used, they should also be maintenance-free and inexpensive.

For this reason, we provide you with diverse variants of IoT SIM cards. In addition to the classic plug-in SIMs and SIM chips for soldering, we offer SIM solutions with special functionalities such as eSIM and, in the future, nuSIM for large, special IoT projects. All offer you connectivity in the best German network and the option of worldwide roaming. No matter what environment your ideas take us to – we have the right SIM.

Whether Mini SIM, Micro SIM, eSIM or nuSIM – We have the right SIM for every IoT project

Our SIM card portfolio at a glance

From consumer electronics to industrial applications – we offer the right SIM card for every project.


	Basic SIM	Industry SIM	High-End / Automotive M2M SIM
Typical areas of application	Applications in classic environment and use, such as consumer electronics, tablets, interactive sports devices, tracking, etc.	Application with high quality requirements and for special use such as logistics, retail, healthcare, public sector, or security, etc.	Applications with the highest requirements for reliable use, standardization, and quality, such as in the automotive industry, vehicle telematics, or navigation
Formats	2FF (Mini SIM, 25mm x 15mm) 3FF (Micro SIM, 15mm x 12 mm) 4FF (Nano SIM, 12,3mm x 8,8mm) MFF (M2M Form Factor)	2FF (Mini SIM, 25mm x 15mm) 3FF (Micro SIM, 15mm x 12 mm) 4FF (Nano SIM, 12,3mm x 8,8mm) MFF (M2M Form Factor)	MFF (M2M Form Factor)
Operating temperature	-25°C to +85 °C	-40 °C to +105 °C	-40 °C to +105 °C
Typical product lifetime	2-5 years depending on type of use, location, and environment	5-10 years depending on type of use, location, and environment	Up to 17 years depending on type, location, and environment
Average lifetime of the memory at max. 85° C	10 years (RA)	12 years (RB)	15 years (RC)
Writing cycles	100,000+ (UA)	500,000+ (UB)	up to 16.5 million

Supported standards

The following specifications apply to all three SIM offerings:

ETSI TS 102 221 (UICC) 3GPP TS 31.102
ETSI TS 102 223 (STK) JavaCard(TM) 2.2.1
ETSI 102 671 (M2M-SIM) GP/OTA 2.2
ETSI TS 102 221 V11.0.0 (2012-06) and ETSI TS 102 671

Certificates

The following specifications apply to all three SIM offerings:

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals)
RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment)
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
ISO 9001 (quality management)
ISO 14001 (environmental management system standard)
Automotive: Spice ISO 15504, ISO 16949, AEC-Q100, PPAP

Supported standards

The following specifications apply to all three SIM offerings:

ETSI TS 102 221 (UICC) 3GPP TS 31.102
ETSI TS 102 223 (STK) JavaCard(TM) 2.2.1
ETSI 102 671 (M2M-SIM) GP/OTA 2.2
ETSI TS 102 221 V11.0.0 (2012-06) and ETSI TS 102 671

Certificates

The following specifications apply to all three SIM offerings:

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals)
RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment)
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
ISO 9001 (quality management)
ISO 14001 (environmental management system standard)
Automotive: Spice ISO 15504, ISO 16949, AEC-Q100, PPAP

We offer both SIM cards (Classic SIM and Micro SIM) and the Chip SIM.

The classics: plug-in SIM cards and chip SIMs

We offer classic SIM cards, which are inserted into a slot in the device, in several form factors: 2FF (Mini SIM), 3FF (Micro SIM), 4FF (Nano SIM). For certain applications, we also have combined formats, such as 2FF/3FF (Doublecut) and 2FF/3FF/4FF (Triplecut). All these forms are widely used, easy to handle, and supported by numerous hardware components. For projects where special robustness is required, we have the chip SIM (MFF) in our portfolio: a soldered SIM that functions exactly the same way as a normal SIM card. This chip is typically supplied in large quantities, vacuum-packed in a so-called reel. During production of the IoT device, the chip can be soldered directly onto the circuit board at the customer's site. In addition, it is possible to seal it and protect it from corrosion. This capacity makes the chip SIM the perfect option for devices that are outdoors, are constantly in motion, or need to have a long service life. It also offers special security: Since it is permanently installed in the device, it cannot be removed in the event of theft – and thus, it continues to report the location.

eSIM: individual solution with the option of profile or network operator exchange

In some projects, it is not possible to swap SIM cards if, for example, the network operator is to be changed. This situation may happen because the location is difficult to access, the sheer number of devices makes swapping uneconomical, or regulatory conditions in the country of deployment require using a profile from a local network operator. Such scenarios are where the eSIM can offer a solution. The eSIM profile, which defines the network operator, can be exchanged wirelessly. It is usually installed in the device as a chip SIM (MFF). Telekom will provide you with the necessary infrastructure on request.

Ideal for complex projects – the wirelessly configured embedded SIM (eSIM)

eSIM: individual solution with the option of profile or network operator exchange

nuSIM: The integrated SIM for the Internet of Things

nuSIM – the innovative IoT SIM for low cost and optimal handling

Some IoT projects have special requirements. For example, the end device should be particularly small and simple or especially robust, or minimum energy requirements are needed for a long, maintenance-free operating time. Cost considerations also regularly play a role, requiring a focus on the essentials – less is more. For this reason, Deutsche Telekom, together with renowned partners, has developed the nuSIM. SIM functions that are not required for IoT communication were strictly omitted and the result integrated directly into the modem chip. This design makes the nuSIM invisible, no longer involving any separate hardware and having no associated logistics and no requirement for space in the end device. Instead of plastic cards, we supply you with ready-made data sets (known as profiles) that are loaded into the end devices using a digital process. This feature makes the devices ready for immediate use.

More about nuSIM

Telekom-certified hardware ensures smooth interaction

To implement your IoT ideas, you need not only connectivity but also the right IoT hardware, such as cellular modules, routers, or gateways. Together with our partners, we offer you certified hardware that we tailor to your individual needs. With our certification, you can always be sure that your devices will work smoothly with our SIM cards.

More about certified hardware

Telekom-certified hardware ensures smooth interaction

More about certified hardware

The right tariff for every IoT idea

Our portfolio of tariffs reflects the versatility of IoT projects: It includes both standard tariffs with preconfigured SIM cards for a quick start and individual offers that require specific solutions and a high level of service and consulting. In this way, we can find the perfect tariff for all your IoT ideas.

More about IoT tariffs

Whitepaper: IoT Connectivity Guide

Would you like to know more about what you need to be aware of in connecting your products via the cell network? Which hurdles you need to clear in an international rollout? Or how best to manage your connections and their IoT components? You will all the answers in our free IoT Connectivity Guide whitepaper. Please note: The form section for the download, the following communication and the whitepaper are in German.

Download whitepaper now

Whitepaper: IoT Connectivity Guide

Download whitepaper now

We are at your service!

You need further information about one of our offers or have a specific question? We are happy to help! Please leave your contact details, and one of our IoT experts will be in touch with you as soon as possible to provide you with in-depth advice – via email or phone, as you wish. Thank you for your interest!

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