Simbase SIM cards work in any device with a standard SIM slot. The part that needs checking is the device itself: does it support the frequency bands and network technologies available where you're deploying it? Getting this right before you ship hardware saves a lot of "why won't this connect" troubleshooting later.
Check the frequency bands for your region
Cellular networks use different frequency bands in different parts of the world, broadly grouped into Americas, Europe, and Asia. Your device's documentation should list which bands and regions it supports, often directly by region name.
If you're deploying devices internationally, check this for every region you plan to ship to, not just the one you're testing in. A device that works perfectly in your office might not have the right bands for a deployment on another continent.
Check the network technology your device supports
Some devices, especially low-cost trackers and sensors, only support a single network technology, most commonly 2G/GSM. Before you commit to a device, check:
Which network technologies it supports (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, NB-IoT, LTE-M). See Radio access technology for what each of these means.
Whether that technology is still available in the country you're deploying to. Use Simbase's coverage maps to check coverage by country and technology.
A device will not connect if it only supports a network technology that's been switched off in that country, no matter how good the signal looks.
A common pitfall: 2G-only devices
This is the single most common compatibility issue we see. Low-cost GPS trackers and similar devices are often built around 2G/GSM modules, since they're cheap and widely available. The problem is that several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, have shut down their 2G networks entirely.
If you're deploying a 2G-only device into one of these countries, it will never connect, regardless of your SIM, your account, or your coverage plan. The fix has to happen at the device level: choose hardware that supports a network technology still active in your deployment country (4G LTE, NB-IoT, or LTE-M are good current choices).
Once you've confirmed compatibility
When you're confident your device and target country are a match:
Register your SIM and activate it from the dashboard.
Set up the APN on the device.
If you're using one of the routers covered in this section, follow its specific configuration guide:
Common questions
Check the datasheet for the device or its cellular module, not the marketing page. Look for the band numbers, for example B3 or B20, and the technologies listed, such as LTE Cat-1 or NB-IoT. If only the module is documented, search its model number.
In some regions, yes, but not in the US, Canada, or Australia, where 2G is switched off. More shutdowns are scheduled each year, so a 2G-only device bought today may outlive the networks it depends on. Don't choose one for a new deployment.
Partly. Once a SIM is in the device, Diagnostics compares the device's bands against the local carriers and flags a mismatch. It can't tell you anything before the device is powered on with a SIM in it, so check the datasheet first.
No. The profile determines which operators the SIM can use, not which radio bands the device has. A device with the wrong bands for a country will fail on any profile.
Related
Radio access technology — what 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, NB-IoT, and LTE-M mean for device selection
Register a SIM — activate a SIM before connecting a device
Set up the APN — the device-side configuration after compatibility is confirmed
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