Guides to IoT SIMs, from choosing a plan to running a fleet.
How to pick a plan, get a device online, reach it remotely and look after a fleet of SIMs, in plain words.
Choosing a SIM
2G and 3G switch-off in Ireland: what it means for devices
Where each Irish network stands on 3G and 2G, which alarms, lift lines, telecare units and card machines are at risk, and what to replace them with.
Read the guide
A 1NCE alternative for devices in Ireland
How 1NCE's one-off lifetime IoT SIM compares with ThingSIM's monthly Ireland multi-network plan, with prices checked on each provider's site on 3 November 2026.
Read the guide
A Hologram alternative for devices in Ireland
How Hologram's pay-per-MB global IoT SIM compares with ThingSIM's monthly Ireland multi-network plan, with Hologram's prices checked on 3 November 2026.
Read the guide
A Things Mobile alternative for devices in Ireland
How Things Mobile's pay-per-MB IoT SIM compares with ThingSIM's monthly Ireland multi-network allowances, with prices checked on 3 November 2026.
Read the guide
Business data SIM cards for routers and devices in Ireland
Data-only SIMs for business kit such as 4G routers, card machines and cameras, roaming across the Irish networks, no contract, billed monthly per active SIM.
Read the guide
How ThingSIM billing works
When billing starts for an IoT SIM in Ireland, what happens at the data allowance, and what happens if a payment fails.
Read the guide
How much data does a 4G CCTV camera use?
Why a 4G CCTV camera can use a few hundred megabytes or far more than any plan, and how to set it up so it fits a monthly allowance.
Read the guide
How much data does my device need?
A practical way to estimate monthly data for a connected device, with worked figures for common devices and the IoT SIM plan each one fits.
Read the guide
IoT SIM cards for Europe: crossing into Northern Ireland, Britain and the EU
When an Irish device needs more than the Ireland plan, how ThingSIM's Europe plans work, what to know about Northern Ireland, and what to sort out before devices cross a border.
Read the guide
IoT SIM vs normal phone SIM for a device
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 in Ireland.
Read the guide
IoT eSIM or physical SIM for a device?
When an IoT 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.
Read the guide
IoT eSIM standards explained: SGP.02, SGP.22 and SGP.32
The three GSMA eSIM specifications behind connected devices, how each installs a mobile profile, and what they mean when you choose an IoT eSIM in Ireland.
Read the guide
LTE-M vs NB-IoT in Ireland: which low-power network?
How LTE-M (Cat-M) and NB-IoT differ in data rate, mobility, voice and battery life, which suits trackers, meters or sensors, and what is available in Ireland.
Read the guide
M2M SIM cards for machines and devices in Ireland
What an M2M SIM card is, what to look for in one, and ThingSIM's multi-network M2M SIMs for Irish businesses, billed per active SIM with no contract.
Read the guide
Multi-network IoT SIM cards in Ireland
What a multi-network IoT SIM is, why it matters for a device fixed in one place, and what ThingSIM's Ireland multi-network SIM costs.
Read the guide
What an IoT SIM really costs per device
The full yearly cost of connecting a device in Ireland, from the one-off SIM charge to the monthly plan and optional extras, with live prices in euro, ex VAT.
Read the guide
Will my device get a signal where it is installed?
Why a coverage map is only a starting point in Ireland, how to check signal at the actual spot, and why a multi-network IoT SIM changes the odds.
Read the guide
Setup & troubleshooting
APN settings: how to set up the APN on a device
Find the APN for your ThingSIM IoT SIM and enter it in a router, camera or tracker, then check that mobile data is working.
Read the guide
Activating, pausing and moving SIMs
Use the ThingSIM portal to activate an IoT SIM at installation, pause or cease it, move a physical SIM to another device and change its plan.
Read the guide
Improving 4G signal for a fixed device
Compare positions, check the enclosure and test antenna options before mounting a fixed 4G device, from rural sites in the West to the border counties.
Read the guide
SIM has signal but no data: troubleshooting checklist
Check activation, APN, allowance and device settings when your IoT SIM shows signal but cannot send data.
Read the guide
Setting up a 4G router with a data SIM
Install a 4G router SIM in a compatible router, enter the APN, choose a data allowance and test the mobile broadband connection where it will run.
Read the guide
Device setup
GL.iNet GL-X3000 (Spitz AX) SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a GL.iNet GL-X3000 Spitz AX in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the nano SIM, APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Milesight UG65 LoRaWAN Gateway SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM as 4G backhaul for a Milesight UG65 LoRaWAN gateway in Ireland: SIM size, plan, APN and roaming settings, and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Milesight UR32 Industrial Router SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Milesight UR32 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the mini SIM, APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Netgear LM1200 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Netgear LM1200 4G modem in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the APN profile, Auto Connect for a roaming SIM and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Peplink MAX BR1 Mini SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Peplink MAX BR1 Mini in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the cellular APN and data roaming, SIM A and B failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Reolink 4G Camera SIM card setup (Go Series)
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Reolink 4G camera (Go PT Ultra, Go Ultra, Go Plus) in Ireland: SIM size, plan, the APN from a microSD file, troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Robustel R1510 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Robustel R1510 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RobustOS Link Manager APN, PIN, status checks and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
TP-Link Archer MR600 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a TP-Link Archer MR600 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the nano SIM, APN profile, data roaming and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
TP-Link Archer NX200 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a TP-Link Archer NX200 5G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the nano SIM, Mobile WAN APN, data roaming and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika FMB920 GPS Tracker SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika FMB920 GPS tracker in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the APN in Configurator or by SMS, roaming send periods and fixes.
Read the guide
Teltonika FMC920 GPS Tracker SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika FMC920 GPS tracker in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the APN in Configurator or by SMS, roaming send periods and fixes.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT200 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT200 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the mini SIM, RutOS APN and roaming settings, troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT240 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT240 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the mini SIM, RutOS APN and roaming settings, troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT241 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT241 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the mini SIM, RutOS APN and roaming settings, troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT950 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT950 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT951 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT951 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT955 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT955 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUT956 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUT956 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUTC50 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUTC50 5G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUTM50 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUTM50 5G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUTX11 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUTX11 4G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Teltonika RUTX50 SIM card setup
Set up a ThingSIM data SIM in a Teltonika RUTX50 5G router in Ireland: SIM size and plan, the RutOS APN and roaming settings, failover and troubleshooting.
Read the guide
Remote access & IP addresses
Port forwarding on a 4G router
Why port forwarding on a 4G router does nothing on a normal mobile connection in Ireland, what it needs to work, and how to set it up once it can.
Read the guide
Securing a device on a public IP
A practical checklist for cameras, routers and controllers on a static IP SIM, which anything on the internet can reach.
Read the guide
Static IP SIM, private APN or VPN?
Four ways to reach or protect IoT devices on mobile data compared, with which one fits a single camera, a payment fleet or a cloud platform.
Read the guide
Static and fixed IP SIM cards for routers and cameras
A fixed IP SIM card gives a 4G router, camera or controller in Ireland a public address you can connect to directly. When you need one and when you don't.
Read the guide
Why can't I reach my 4G camera remotely?
Why a 4G CCTV camera or router on mobile data cannot be reached from outside by default, and the ways to fix it, from a static IP to a private network.
Read the guide
Use-case guides
4G broadband backup for a business line
Plan a 4G router failover connection for an Irish shop or office, choose which traffic it carries and test the applications you need during an outage.
Read the guide
4G for a farm, calving or trail camera
A 4G camera SIM for farms and remote sites in Ireland: choose an upload mode, estimate photo data and test at the final yard, shed or field position.
Read the guide
A 4G data SIM for a card machine or payment kiosk
A card machine SIM for terminals, kiosks and POS backup in Ireland: check with the payment provider, choose a small plan and test it where you trade.
Read the guide
An alarm SIM for a panel or communicator
Check the PSA-licensed installer's and monitoring centre's requirements, then choose a small multi-network alarm SIM plan for a compatible communicator.
Read the guide
Choosing a GPS tracker SIM card in Ireland
Which M2M SIM card suits a GPS tracker in Ireland: estimate tracker data from report size and frequency, check SMS commands and plan for the border.
Read the guide
Connecting a construction site in Ireland
Plan mobile data for site cameras, welfare units and temporary equipment on an Irish building site, and decide what to do with SIMs between phases.
Read the guide
Connecting an EV charger over 4G
An EV charger SIM for Irish sites: check platform compatibility, estimate routine data and firmware updates, and test the 4G connection at installation.
Read the guide
Connecting kit for a one-off event
Event SIM cards for Ireland: order ahead, test card machines and cameras at the venue, activate when needed and cease what you will not reuse.
Read the guide
Data loggers and meters on a small plan
Calculate report frequency and message size for a data logger or sub-meter in Ireland, then check whether a 50 MB IoT SIM plan fits the complete workload.
Read the guide
Running digital signage on 4G
Estimate content downloads for a 4G digital signage player in Ireland, separate them from streaming and schedule updates within the data allowance.
Read the guide
Telemetry for vending and drinks dispense
Estimate small periodic reports from vending machines or drinks dispense equipment in Ireland, and include cashless payments and updates in the allowance.
Read the guide
Fleets & developers
Activating SIMs with the ThingSIM API
A short tutorial for activating IoT SIMs as devices are installed, labelling them and fetching eSIM codes, using the same API the portal uses.
Read the guide
Catching a runaway device with usage webhooks
Using ThingSIM's usage webhooks to hear when an IoT SIM passes 80% of its data allowance, so a misbehaving device is caught before it pauses.
Read the guide
ICCID, IMSI, MSISDN and eUICC: SIM numbers explained
What the ICCID, IMSI and MSISDN numbers on an IoT SIM card mean, which one you need and when, plus eUICC, eSIM, ISIM and multi-IMSI SIMs in plain terms.
Read the guide
Ordering a few IoT SIMs or setting up a fleet
When an order request for up to 25 IoT SIMs is the right route in Ireland, and when a larger or more specialised fleet is better set up with us.
Read the guide
Running a small fleet of SIMs
Simple habits for keeping track of ten or twenty IoT SIM cards, from labels and tags to usage alerts and ceasing what is no longer used.
Read the guide