# SIMs for metering and utilities

> Every site visit to read a meter or check a sensor costs more than a year of data. Loggers with a ThingSIM send their readings in on their own, from boreholes, plant rooms and sub-meters alike.

## What the kit needs

### Fixed place, known signal

A meter doesn’t move, so you can check which networks reach it once. Where O2, Vodafone or Three is strong, the 3-network plan costs less.

### A reading a day, or an hour

Meter reads are tiny. The smallest plan covers almost any logger; move up only for devices that send waveforms or images.

### Years in the field

Loggers are installed and left. Billing starts only when each SIM is switched on, so stock kept for later installs costs nothing.

## How it connects

Meter or logger → mobile data → ThingSIM core (Private APN) → IPSec VPN → Data platform (Billing or SCADA).

## Recommended setup

**50 MB, UK 3-network, one SIM per logger.** Check coverage at the site first. Where EE is the only strong signal, use the 4-network plan instead.

- 50 MB, UK 3-network: £0.65 a month per active SIM, ex VAT
- Optional: Private APN, priced with us
- Optional: IPSec VPN, priced with us

Source: https://thingsim.com/sectors/metering