Broadband and mobile giant BT (EE) has today launched their new IoT National Roaming SIMs for businesses across the UK, which are designed to help firms keep their smart Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected “wherever they are” by harnessing several different wireless and mobile network technologies.
The IoT National Roaming SIM is designed to operate via 2G, 3G (EE’s 3G network will be retired in early 2024), 4G and even the latest 5G mobile networks, as well as over Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN). BT said its new service had been designed to “shake up the IoT market” by “providing fast, reliable connectivity for data intensive tasks.”
The rollout of BT’s new service is said to benefit courier and delivery companies in particular by giving them reliable, fast network access “no matter where they are – whether in cities, rural areas, or by the coast” (e.g. providing visibility of fuel efficiency, changes to a delivery schedule and cold chain management, so temperatures can be constantly monitored on a refrigerated vehicle).
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In addition to the improved connectivity, BT’s IoT national roaming service will also offer a secure management portal with full security measures to protect important data and help businesses keep track of all their smart devices.
Marc Overton, Managing Director of Division X at BT, said:
“Businesses across the UK are increasingly understanding the benefits of using IoT devices in running their operations. And now, with the unveiling of our IoT national roaming SIMs, we’re making sure those connections stay strong no matter where business takes you. Whether in the heart of a bustling city or out in the countryside, our solution ensures data is transmitted quickly and reliably. We’re excited to help both our existing and new customers fully harness the power of their smart devices with lightning-fast mobile connectivity.”
End.
National Roaming would be a SIM working across all MNOs – this isn’t that.
Their press release states they use other providers where EE isn’t available
https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-launches-iot-national-roaming-in-a-major-boost-for-businesses-keeping-smart-devices-connected-wherever-they-are/
They can “connect to multiple other major UK networks”, which is remarkably light on details (as you’d expect from a PR blurb like this).
Interesting, nonetheless.
Why does no reputable mobile operator offer ‘national roaming’ on regular voice and data services as a ‘premium’ option? I’ve never understood this, it would make a massive difference where I live as partial not-spots dominate the area.
O2 used to offer UK all-network roaming SIMs from their Isle of Man subsiduary to business customers if you pressed them hard, although the costs were pretty eye-watering so not really an option except for really critical handsets.
The Voda rep claimed that native UK roaming SIMs were prohibited by Ofcom (originally along with mast-sharing) as a way to force decent geographic coverage by all of the operators, but that’s coming from a rep, so not sure I’d trust anything he said…
I bought a SIM from Keepgo.com. This roams perfectly in the UK. Only $3 a year.
in-home security pendant providers have been using multi-network roaming SIMs for a while, as they have been replacing units with an eye to 2025 Analog switchoff and increasing numbers of people not renting a landline because of the standard charge (even on low user tariff, an inexpensive mobile plan can work out cheaper and certainly more “budget-able”).
Hi all,
If anyone on this forum would like to discuss BT’s new National Roaming offering please get in touch via email on nick.archer@bt.com.