# IoT SIM guides

> Guides to choosing an IoT SIM, setting up and troubleshooting devices, reaching them remotely and running a fleet.

## Choosing a SIM

- [How ThingSIM billing works](https://thingsim.com/iot-sim-billing-explained) (10 March 2026): When billing starts, what happens at the data allowance, and why a device is never cut off over a bill.
- [Using an IoT SIM in Europe](https://thingsim.com/iot-sim-in-europe) (19 February 2026): What changes when a device works in the EU as well as the UK, how ThingSIM handles Europe, and what to sort out before devices cross a border.
- [UK 4-network vs 3-network IoT SIMs](https://thingsim.com/uk-4-network-vs-3-network) (18 February 2026): Which ThingSIM UK plan to choose, and when the cheaper 3-network plan is the right one.
- [What an IoT SIM really costs per device](https://thingsim.com/iot-sim-cost-per-device) (5 February 2026): The full yearly cost of connecting a device, from the one-off SIM charge to the monthly plan and optional extras, with live prices.
- [2G and 3G switch-off and your devices](https://thingsim.com/2g-3g-switch-off-devices) (22 January 2026): How to tell whether a connected device depends on 2G or 3G, what to check before it stops working, and what to replace it with.
- [Will my device get a signal where it is installed?](https://thingsim.com/will-my-device-get-signal) (8 January 2026): Why a postcode coverage map is only a starting point, how to check signal at the actual spot, and why a multi-network SIM changes the odds.
- [eSIM or physical SIM for a device?](https://thingsim.com/esim-or-physical-sim) (18 December 2025): When an eSIM delivered as a QR code is the quicker choice for a device, when a physical SIM is still the right one, and how to tell what yours supports.
- [How much data does a 4G CCTV camera use?](https://thingsim.com/cctv-camera-data-usage) (4 December 2025): Why the answer ranges from a few hundred megabytes to far more than any plan, and how to set a camera up so it fits a monthly allowance.
- [How much data does my device need?](https://thingsim.com/how-much-data-does-my-device-need) (20 November 2025): A practical way to estimate monthly data for a connected device, with worked figures for common devices and the plan each one fits.
- [IoT SIM or phone SIM for a device?](https://thingsim.com/iot-sim-vs-phone-sim) (6 November 2025): Why a router, camera or tracker is better served by an IoT data SIM than a phone SIM, and what actually differs between the two.

## Setup & troubleshooting

- [Activating, pausing and moving SIMs](https://thingsim.com/activating-pausing-moving-sims) (28 January 2026): Use the ThingSIM portal to activate a SIM at installation, pause or cease it, move a physical SIM and change its plan.
- [Improving 4G signal for a fixed device](https://thingsim.com/improving-4g-signal) (6 January 2026): Compare positions, check the enclosure and test antenna options before permanently mounting a fixed 4G device.
- [Setting up a 4G router with a data SIM](https://thingsim.com/setting-up-a-4g-router) (15 December 2025): Install a ThingSIM in a compatible router, enter the APN, choose an allowance and test the connection where it will run.
- [Signal but no data troubleshooting checklist](https://thingsim.com/sim-signal-but-no-data) (23 November 2025): Check activation, APN, allowance and device settings when your SIM shows signal but cannot send data.
- [Setting the APN on a device](https://thingsim.com/apn-settings) (1 November 2025): Find the APN for your ThingSIM and enter it in a router, camera or tracker, then check that data is working.

## Remote access & IP addresses

- [Securing a device on a public IP](https://thingsim.com/securing-a-device-on-a-public-ip) (16 April 2026): A practical checklist for cameras, routers and controllers on a static public IP, which anything on the internet can reach.
- [Port forwarding on a 4G router](https://thingsim.com/port-forwarding-4g-router) (2 April 2026): Why port forwarding on a 4G router does nothing on a normal mobile connection, what it needs to work, and how to set it up once it can.
- [Static public IP, private APN or VPN?](https://thingsim.com/static-ip-private-apn-or-vpn) (19 March 2026): Four ways to reach or protect devices on mobile data compared, with which one fits a single camera, a payment fleet or a cloud platform.
- [Why can't I reach my 4G camera remotely?](https://thingsim.com/reach-4g-camera-remotely) (5 March 2026): Why a camera or router on mobile data cannot be reached from outside by default, and the ways to fix it, from a static public IP to a private network.

## Use-case guides

- [Connecting kit for a one-off event](https://thingsim.com/connecting-event-kit) (10 October 2026): Order event SIMs ahead, test card machines and cameras, activate when needed and cease what you will not reuse.
- [Data loggers and meters on a small plan](https://thingsim.com/data-loggers-and-meters) (5 September 2026): Calculate report frequency and message size for a logger or meter, then check whether a 50 MB plan fits the complete workload.
- [Telemetry for vending and drinks dispense](https://thingsim.com/vending-telemetry) (14 August 2026): Estimate small periodic reports from vending or drinks equipment and include cashless payments and updates in the allowance.
- [Running digital signage on 4G](https://thingsim.com/digital-signage-4g) (23 July 2026): Estimate content downloads for a signage player, separate them from streaming and schedule updates within the data allowance.
- [Connecting an EV charger over 4G](https://thingsim.com/ev-charger-4g) (1 July 2026): Check charger platform compatibility, estimate routine data and firmware updates, and test the mobile connection at installation.
- [A data SIM for an alarm panel or communicator](https://thingsim.com/alarm-panel-data-sim) (9 June 2026): Check the alarm installer and receiving centre requirements, then choose a small multi-network plan for a compatible communicator.
- [Connecting a construction site](https://thingsim.com/construction-site-connectivity) (18 May 2026): Plan mobile data for site cameras, welfare units and temporary equipment, and decide what to do with SIMs between phases.
- [4G for a farm, trail or wildlife camera](https://thingsim.com/4g-farm-trail-camera) (26 April 2026): Choose a camera upload mode, estimate photo data and test the connection at the final farm or wildlife camera position.
- [Choosing a SIM for a GPS tracker](https://thingsim.com/sim-for-gps-tracker) (4 April 2026): Estimate tracker data from report size and frequency, check SMS commands and choose coverage for the places it travels.
- [4G backup for a broadband line](https://thingsim.com/4g-broadband-backup) (13 March 2026): Plan a router failover connection, choose which traffic it carries and test the applications you need during an outage.
- [A 4G data SIM for a card machine](https://thingsim.com/card-machine-4g-sim) (19 February 2026): Choose a small data plan for a compatible payment terminal and test it at your stall, event, van or delivery stop.

## Fleets & developers

- [Ordering SIMs online or setting up a fleet](https://thingsim.com/ordering-sims-online-vs-fleet) (6 August 2026): When ordering up to 25 SIMs online by card is the right route, and when a larger or more specialised fleet is better set up with us.
- [Catching a runaway device with usage webhooks](https://thingsim.com/usage-webhooks) (2 July 2026): Using ThingSIM's usage webhooks to hear when a SIM passes 80% of its allowance, so a misbehaving device is caught before it pauses.
- [Activating SIMs with the ThingSIM API](https://thingsim.com/activate-sims-with-the-api) (4 June 2026): A short tutorial for switching SIMs on as devices are installed, labelling them and fetching eSIM codes, using the same API the portal uses.
- [Running a small fleet of SIMs](https://thingsim.com/running-a-small-sim-fleet) (7 May 2026): Simple habits for keeping track of ten or twenty SIMs, from labels and tags to usage alerts and ceasing what is no longer used.

Source: https://thingsim.com/guides