# Telemetry for vending and drinks dispense

> Estimate small periodic reports from vending or drinks equipment and include cashless payments and updates in the allowance.

Use-case guides · 14 August 2026

For fixed vending or drinks dispense equipment sending small periodic reports, UK 3-network 50 MB is a starting plan at £0.65 per active SIM per month. Test that O2, Vodafone or Three provides a suitable connection at the machine's location, then include payments, status traffic and updates in the usage estimate.

UK 3-network roams across O2, Vodafone and Three and costs less than UK 4-network, which also includes EE. It suits this recommendation only where the three-network option works for the installed equipment. If you need EE among the available networks, choose the four-network option instead.

## Establish what the machine sends

Ask the machine or telemetry supplier which information travels over the connection and how often. That might include readings, stock information or fault reports, depending on the equipment. Count the functions your actual installation uses rather than assuming every machine sends the same messages.

Keep cashless payment traffic in the discussion. If the payment terminal has its own SIM, estimate it separately. If it shares the telemetry router, its traffic belongs in the same total. Check payment provider requirements before replacing or introducing a SIM used by a payment terminal.

The [drinks and vending sector page](/sectors/drinks-and-vending) covers the wider use case. [A data SIM for a card machine](/card-machine-4g-sim) explains the checks for a payment connection, including the need to confirm that the terminal accepts a separately supplied SIM.

## A worked telemetry calculation

Suppose the equipment sends an assumed 2 KB report every 15 minutes, throughout a 30-day month. Use 1,000 KB as 1 MB for this example. The report size is an illustration, not a figure promised for vending equipment.

| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Reports per hour | 60 ÷ 15 | 4 |
| Reports per day | 4 × 24 | 96 |
| Reports in 30 days | 96 × 30 | 2,880 |
| Data for reports | 2,880 × 2 KB | 5.76 MB |
| Assumed other traffic | Payments and other connection activity | 15 MB |
| Example total | 5.76 MB + 15 MB | 20.76 MB |

This example fits within 50 MB. The assumed extra 15 MB is not a standard payment allowance; replace it with the supplier's estimate or measurements. Include any firmware or software download separately, because a single update can change the total more than routine reports do.

If the equipment reports more often during busy trading periods, calculate that pattern too. Do not base the whole month on a quiet test outside opening hours. [How much data a device needs](/how-much-data-does-my-device-need) explains how to turn representative measurements into a plan choice.

## Test inside the finished installation

Confirm the device accepts the chosen SIM format and supports the mobile networks it will use. A physical ThingSIM provides mini, micro and nano sizes. Choose eSIM only if the equipment supports installing the supplied QR code; physical SIM and eSIM both cost £2.00 per SIM once.

Activate the SIM in the ThingSIM portal when you are ready to test. Enter the APN displayed against that SIM using the equipment's supported configuration method. Billing starts on activation, so SIMs waiting for installation can remain inactive.

Run the real reporting task with the machine in its final position and its covers closed. Check that a fresh record reaches the management platform. If payments share the connection, run the payment provider's approved test too. A successful telemetry report does not by itself prove the payment application is configured correctly.

## Choose coverage from the site test

A machine's position may be constrained by power, plumbing or customer access. Test the mobile device and antenna arrangement within those constraints before treating the installation as complete. Ask the equipment supplier about placement or compatible antenna options where needed.

ThingSIM does not supply antennas or site surveys. If the first position is unsuitable, compare practical alternatives and repeat the same reporting test. Keep a record of the working location and settings for the next maintenance visit.

Read [UK 4-network versus 3-network](/uk-4-network-vs-3-network) before deciding whether the lower-cost option suits the site. Do not use a good result from one machine as proof that another machine elsewhere in the building has the same connection.

## Monitor without overcomplicating it

For one or two machines, check usage in the portal after installation and after changing the reporting pattern. Plans offer 50 MB, 250 MB, 1 GB and 5 GB. If the smallest allowance is too tight once updates are included, move to the size that fits the complete workload.

At the allowance limit the SIM pauses instead of charging overage. You can upgrade immediately, paying only the difference for the rest of the month, or wait for reset. Keep an active SIM in equipment that is expected to remain available; pause only when the machine's connection is no longer needed.

Order up to 25 SIMs online by card. For larger deployments, use [fleet enquiries](/contact?topic=fleet). The [API](/developers/api) provides the same SIM controls as the portal if you later need to manage more equipment.

## Common questions

### Why recommend UK 3-network for a vending machine?

It costs less and can suit a fixed site where O2, Vodafone or Three works well. Choose UK 4-network if EE needs to be available too.

### Does 50 MB include room for payment traffic?

Calculate the combined workload if payments share the SIM. The example's payment and other traffic figure is an assumption to replace with your own data.

### Can I pause a machine that is still taking payments?

Do not pause a SIM while payments or telemetry depend on its connection. Pause only after confirming the equipment no longer needs mobile data.

## Recommended plan

50 MB, UK 3-network: £0.65 a month per active SIM, ex VAT.

Source: https://thingsim.com/vending-telemetry