250 MB
UK 4-network
£1.20a month per active SIM, ex VAT
Order 250 MBActivating, pausing and moving SIMs
Use the ThingSIM portal to activate a SIM at installation, pause or cease it, move a physical SIM and change its plan.
Activate a ThingSIM when you are ready to install and test it, pause it when you need it to stop passing data for a while, and cease it when the device is retired. These controls are in the ThingSIM portal alongside usage and plan changes. For a physical SIM moving to another device, check the new device's compatibility and settings before relying on the connection.
SIMs arrive inactive. Billing is per active SIM per month and starts on the day you switch the SIM on in the portal. This lets you order ahead without starting the monthly charge while the SIM is waiting for an installation.
Activate at installation
Before activating, match the physical SIM or eSIM to its portal record. Keep a simple installation note containing the device name, SIM reference and location. When several devices look alike, that small record helps avoid pausing the wrong one later.
Open the SIM's record in the portal and use its activation control when you are ready to test. Copy the APN shown against that SIM into the device's mobile data settings. Then run the actual task, such as sending a reading or checking that the router provides internet access.
Do not leave the first connection test until after the equipment is sealed away. For a short installation window, prepare the device and its instructions beforehand, then activate and test while you can still reach it. See setting the APN for the configuration steps.
Choose the right lifecycle action
| Situation | Action | Check before proceeding |
|---|---|---|
| New equipment is ready to test | Activate | SIM reference and device settings match |
| A device must stop passing data for now | Pause (still billed) | Nobody still depends on its connection |
| Paused equipment is returning to service | Resume | Device connects and its allowance suits the job |
| A physical SIM is moving to replacement kit | Move and configure | SIM size, device compatibility and APN |
| Usage is approaching the allowance | Review the plan | Normal use and planned updates are included |
| A SIM is no longer needed permanently | Cease | The correct SIM has been selected |
Pausing stops a SIM passing data but not its monthly charge: a switched-on SIM is billed each month, including while paused, until it is ceased. Use pause for a short hold, such as a device you suspect is misbehaving. Use cease when a device is retired; ceasing is permanent, and a new SIM is £2.00 if you need one there again.
Pause or cease when a job ends
When a job ends, confirm that the device has no remaining work to send and that nobody expects to reach it remotely. If the equipment goes back into service within a month or two, keeping the SIM switched on is usually simplest. If it is being retired or will sit idle for a long time, cease the SIM to stop the charge, and activate a fresh £2.00 SIM when the equipment is next needed. Record the decision with the equipment, especially if another person will reinstall it.
Treat pausing as a service decision, not just an accounting task. A paused camera cannot provide the connection you were relying on, and a paused router is not a ready backup. The router failover page is relevant if the device's purpose is to wait for a broadband failure.
Before resuming, review the device's next job. A router previously used for a logger may now be carrying camera uploads, so the old allowance may no longer fit. Resume in the portal and repeat the connection test before handing over the equipment.
Move a physical SIM to another device
Follow both devices' instructions for removing and fitting the SIM, including any requirement to power them down. Check the required SIM size before removal. ThingSIM physical cards provide mini, micro and nano sizes, but the receiving device determines which size it needs.
Enter the APN shown for the SIM into the replacement device. Do not assume that moving the card also transfers the old device's settings. Test the new device's intended task and update your installation record so future usage checks refer to the correct equipment.
An eSIM is not a removable card. Check the supported process before moving to another device; do not assume that scanning an existing QR code again is a supported transfer method. Use help or contact if the next step is unclear.
Review allowance and billing
For modest connected equipment, UK 4-network 250 MB is a starting point at £1.20 per active SIM per month. Review actual usage before settling on it. Plans offer 50 MB, 250 MB, 1 GB and 5 GB, and a device's new role may need a different allowance.
If the allowance is used, the SIM pauses instead of charging overage. Upgrade straight away, paying only the difference for the rest of the month, or wait for the reset. Read billing explained for the payment arrangements.
There is no contract. Pay monthly by card or annually, with twelve months up front and no discount. The same SIM controls are available through the API; running a small SIM fleet helps when a few devices become harder to track manually.
Common questions
Does a spare SIM start billing when it arrives?
No. SIMs arrive inactive, and monthly billing starts when you activate the SIM in the portal.
Should I pause a backup router between outages?
Keep its SIM active if you need it ready to provide mobile data when broadband fails. A paused SIM is still billed and cannot provide backup, so pausing saves nothing here; cease it only if the router is being retired.
Can I move a physical SIM without changing its plan?
You can move it to a compatible device, but check the new device's settings and expected usage. The previous allowance may not suit its new job.
Recommended plan
UK 4-network, 250 MB a month
Roams across all four UK networks and uses whichever is strongest where the device is.
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