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    SIM Providers: LTE-M/Nb-IoT + Roaming, and Setup

    Written by Matthew Clark-Massera

    Updated at September 1st, 2025

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      • Home
      • Connectivity
      • Networks and SIM Card Options

      Table of Contents

      Tracking Specific SIMs Test! Pricing - you get what you pay for Commercial Deployments So what SIMs should I get? What providers are there? Key Points Operating Networks Vodafone SIM users Roaming SIM Cards Roaming SIM Note Our Results/Findings How do I configure any network settings if required?

      To get online with our 4G LTE-M/NB-IoT devices, you will require a SIM card that operates on these networks. Often multiple terms are used for the same network - e.g. Cat-M1 and LTE-M are used interchangeably.

      Ensure you read Connectivity - LTE-M vs NB-IoT, Coverage, Providers and Roaming as an overview of all the key concepts of LTE-M/NB-IoT.
       

      Tracking Specific SIMs

      Our LTE-M/NB-IoT devices will need special SIMs for these networks - i.e. often a standard '4G Prepaid SIM' like you would buy for your mobile phone will not get you online. 

      Test!

      LTE-M and NB-IoT networks are relatively new and are still being rolled out in some places. Teething problems may occur. 

      They are usually quickly resolved and once a network has been up and running for a while you can expect trouble-free operation. However test new SIMs, networks, and technologies thoroughly before deploying in volume. 

       

      Pricing - you get what you pay for

      When deploying many devices, even small differences in data costs can quickly rack up. 

      Often the expensive SIM cards are more reliable and provide better connectivity. Not all SIM cards work the same - some can even reduce device battery life.

      Commercial Deployments

      Low-cost, relatively unknown roaming SIM cards can be tempting. However certain networks may have agreements with the providers that if a roaming SIM stays attached to their network for too long (e.g.> 6 months continuously) - it can be kicked off. 

      Any savings on SIM data will quickly evaporate if units need to be recovered and SIMs swapped. This is not to discourage cost-saving measures, lower-priced tracking is great for everyone! However, the risks and benefits should be considered when choosing untested SIMs and networks. Test thoroughly before rolling out large-scale deployments.

      So what SIMs should I get? What providers are there?

      Key Points

      • The following list of SIMs and networks is not exhaustive. Plenty of others exist and may well work. 

      • This is not a list of 'approved providers', you're free to use any SIM you choose!

      • This list relies purely on the feedback from our partners. We have better data in the countries where we are more active/have more devices. 

      • Many of the roaming SIMs will list on their website that they roam to many more countries than are indicated below. We add an entry when we have confirmed the SIM will work in that country. 

      • Things can change quickly. We've had providers who didn't work in the past begin to work after updates from various third parties (networks, SIM providers, component providers).

      • We recommend you always do your own testing and confirm functionality for your use case. 

      LTE-M/NB-IoT Networks are still relatively new, but in many countries, coverage is very widespread. Roaming is also relatively new but we have seen many new providers come to market with good results.

      See GSM Arena - Mobile IoT Commercial Launches for an up-to-date list of current and announced LTE-M/Nb-IoT networks globally.

      When selecting a SIM card check the GSM Arena list, to find what networks operate LTE-M or NB-IoT networks in your country/countries of interest.

      The information below can guide you in making your choice.

      Operating Networks

      Country 

      Technology

      SIM Provider

      Results

      Network

      Australia

      LTE-M

      M2M One

      Excellent - Connects Automatically

      Recommended

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = telstra.m2m
      4G Network = Australia: Telstra CAT-M1

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra LTE-M
      Coverage is widespread. 
      Coverage Map

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Telstra

      Excellent - Connects Automatically

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = telstra.m2m
      4G Network = Australia: Telstra CAT-M1

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra LTE-M
      Coverage Map

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Emnify Roaming SIM

      Can potentially lead to excessive battery drain.
      See Roaming SIM Cards - Battery Life Impact.
      And
      4G Battery Powered Device Behaviour Effects

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = em
      4G Network → Custom - m3+7+28

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra LTE-M (roams on network)

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Soracom Roaming SIM

      Working well. Connects automatically.

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = soracom.io
      4G Network → Custom - m3+7+28

      Suggested 4G settings

      Can be purchased via Thinxtra (Soracom's ANZ Distributor)

      Telstra LTE-M (roams on network)

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Spark NZ Roaming SIM

      Working well - testing is not widespread. 

      An option if devices will travel between AU and NZ. 

      Telstra LTE-M
      (roams on network in AUS and to Spark's network in NZ)

      Australia

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Using this SIM in AU seems to cause issues with the uBlox SARA R410M - avoid for these devices. 

      Working well - No such issues on newer range of devices with Nordic modem - Connects automatically.

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = iot.1nce.net
      4G Network → Custom - m3+7+28

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra LTE-M (roams on network) 

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Twilio Super Roaming SIM 

      Limited Testing, shown to be working.

      Feb 23 - Devices initially connected however facing registration issues, recently. Some partners have reported this to Twilio - caution advised.

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = super
      4G Network → Custom - m3+7+28

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra LTE-M (roams on network) 

      Australia

      LTE-M

      Simbase Roaming SIM

      Limited Testing - Connects Automatically.
      Setting APN is Recommended

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = simbase
      4G Network → Custom - m3+7+28

      Caution Advised – Initial testing shows repeated Registration and Upload errors. And IMSI swapping.
      Which can lead to excessive battery drain. 
      Roaming SIM Cards - Battery Life Impact - Digital Matter
       

      Telstra LTE-M (roams on network) 

      Australia

      NB-IoT

      M2MOne

      Excellent - Connects Automatically - using these Telstra local SIMs “NB-IoT Type 1”

      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra NB-IoT 

      Coverage Map

      Australia

      NB-IoT

      M2MOne

      Limited testing of eDCP NB-IoT SIMs (this is Telstra's roaming NB-IoT SIM). Got online automatically. 
      Suggested 4G settings

      Telstra NB-IoT

      Australia

      NB-IoT

      Optus

      Tested by DM in DM Perth office - working well. Standard IoT SIMs Connect automatically with no input.

      The extent of coverage is not well known. Works great in Urban areas.

      Suggested 4G settings

      APN for Standard IoT SIMs: optusiot
      APN for SIMs with iotflex enabled: iotflex

      Optus NB-IoT

      Australia

      NB-IoT

      Vodafone

      Initially Vodafone NB-IoT Would not work due to DNS issues as ePCO was not enabled.

      This is now reportedly enabled - but DNS still does not work.

      As of 2020, we can work around this using our Provisioning Tool. But aiding data downloads fail - so fixes take longer, reducing battery life on battery-powered devices.

      DNS Troubleshooting on 4G

      Vodafone NB-IoT

      Austria

      NB-IoT

      A1

      Proven to work well with our devices in Austria using A1 SIMs

      A1

      Belgium

      NB-IoT

      Orange

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had a lot of success using Orange NB-IoT SIMs

      Orange (roams on network)

      Belgium

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs

      1NCE (roams on network)

      Belgium

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Proximus (Belgacom) And Orange 

      Belgium

      NB-IoT

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Data Sync issues - caution advised.

      Gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Orange And BASE (KPN) 

      Canada

      LTE-M

      Rogers

      Must configure APN to get online. Received from the carrier.

      Rogers

      Canada

      LTE-M

      Bell

      Must configure APN to get online. Received from the carrier.

      Bell

      Canada

      LTE-M

      Telus

      Must configure APN to get online. Received from the carrier.

      Telus

      Canada

      LTE-M

      Aeris

      Good results, recommended roaming SIM.

      AT&T

      Canada

      LTE-M

      EMnify Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically but be sure to apply the right configuration once online

      Telus (roams on the network)

      Canada

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      APN must be set to "iot.1nce.net"

      1NCE (roams on network)

      France

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs 

      1NCE (roams on network)

      France

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Orange (roams on network)

      Germany

      NB-IoT

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs 

      1NCE (roams on network)

      Germany

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      E-Plus (roams on network)

      Hong Kong NB-IoT HK Telecom

      Issues with DNS but can be worked around using a Wired Provisioning Tool.
      See DNS Troubleshooting on 4G

       

      Suggested Setup:
      APN - NBIOTDIRECT

      Custom network string - n8,x
      HKT
      Hong Kong NB-IoT Soracom

      Working well.
       

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = soracom.io

       
      Hong Kong

      NB-IoT

      Orange/Three
      Three Mobile

      Issues with DNS but can be worked around using a Wired Provisioning Tool.
      See DNS Troubleshooting on 4G

       

      Three

      Hong Kong

      NB-IoT

      China Mobile

      Issues with DNS but can be worked around using a Wired Provisioning Tool
      See DNS Troubleshooting on 4G

       

      Suggested Setup:
      APN - nbiot

      Custom network string - n3+8,x

      China Mobile

      Hungary

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Vodafone

      Hungary

      NB-IoT

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Intermittent Connection issues - caution advised.

      Gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Telenor (roams on network)

      Italy

      NB-IoT

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs

      Vodafone

      Italy

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Vodafone (roams on network)

      Luxembourg

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Data Sync issues - caution advised.

      Gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Post (roams on network)

      Netherlands

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs 

      1NCE

      Netherlands

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      KPN and T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom) 

      (Roams on networks)

      New Zealand

      LTE-M

      One NZ (Vodafone)

      Excellent - Connects Automatically
      Suggested 4G Settings

      One NZ

      Coverage Map

      New Zealand

      LTE-M

      Spark NZ

      Excellent - Connects Automatically

      Suggested 4G Settings

      Spark 

      Coverage Map

      New Zealand  NB-IoT  Spark NZ

       Excellent - Connects Automatically

      Suggested 4G Settings

       Spark 

       Coverage Map

      New Zealand

      NB-IoT

      One NZ (Vodafone) 

      Reportedly performing well - but DM have not yet seen significant evidence to support this

      Suggested 4G Settings

      One NZ 

      Coverage Map

      New Zealand  LTE-M Soracom Roaming SIM

      Working well. Connects automatically.

      Suggested Setup:
      APN = soracom.io
      4G Network → Custom - m3+28

      Suggested 4G settings

      Can be purchased via Thinxtra (Soracom's ANZ Distributor)

      Spark/One (Roams on both networks)
      New Zealand

      LTE-M

      Hologram Roaming SIM

      Set APN to hologram

      Set bandmasks to m1+3+28

      Limited testing, have seen SIMs online with the above settings.

      Suggested 4G Settings

      Spark/One (Roams on both networks)

      New Zealand

      LTE-M

      M2M One (Aus) Roaming SIM

      Reportedly working well on the Spark network

      May 23 - A few partners have reported that these SIMs do not connect - caution advised

      Spark

      Norway

      NB-IoT

      Telenor

      Proven to work well with our devices in Norway using Telenet SIMs

      Telenet

      Norway

      NB-IoT

      COM4

      Proven to work well with our devices in Norway using COM4 SIMs

      COM4

      Norway

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Coverage is good, DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs 
      APN must be set to "iot.1nce.net"

      1NCE (roams on network)

      Norway

      LTE-M

      Emnify Roaming SIM

      Proven to work well with our devices in Norway using Emnify SIMs. No APN configuration is needed.

      Emnify (roams on network)

      Papua New Guinea

      LTE-M

      Vodafone

      Limited tested - have seen a device manage to get online. Further testing required

      Vodafone

      Papua New Guinea

      LTE-M

      Digicel

      Limited tested - have seen a device manage to get online. Further testing required

      Digicel

      Portugal

      LTE-M

      Vodafone

      Vodafone global roaming SIM able to connect on LTE-M in Portugal

      Vodafone

      Portugal

      NB-IoT

      Vodafone

      ePCO does not appear to be enabled on Vodafone Portugal's NB-IoT network, causing DNS issues.
      This may be able to be worked around by setting the OEM Server IP in parameters ahead of time
      Further testing is required.


       

      DNS Troubleshooting on 4G

      Vodafone

      Singapore

      LTE-M

      Singtel

      Good results, gets online automatically.

      Singtel

      Singapore

      LTE-M

      Soracom Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically.

      Singtel
      (roams on network)

      Singapore

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Limited tested - have seen a device manage to get online. Further testing required

      APN must be set to "onomondo"

      Singtel 
      (roams on network)

      South Africa

      NB-IoT

      Vodacom

      Must configure APN to get online. APN must be set to "lte.vodacom.za". In some instances, “nbiot.vodacom.za” may work.

      Vodacom

      Spain

      LTE-M

      Emnify Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically but be sure to apply the right configuration once online

      Orange (roams on network)

      Spain

      NB-IoT

      Vodafone

      Global Roaming SIM connects in Spain. Limited Testing

      Vodafone

      Spain

      LTE-M

      Vodafone

      Untested

      Vodafone

      Switzerland

      NB-IoT

      Migros

      NB-IoT devices reportedly connecting.

       
      Switzerland

      NB-IoT

      Hologram Roaming SIM

      NB-IoT not yet supported on Hologram. Awaiting further tests. 

       
      Switzerland

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      Swisscom and Sunrise 

      Thailand

      LTE-M

      AIS

      Very limited testing has proven successful. Partners should test further before deploying in volume.  
      APN: internet

      AIS

      Thailand

      NB-IoT

      AIS

      Very limited testing has proven successful, partners should test further before deploying in volume.
      APN: devkit.nb
      4G Network - Global: NB-IoT Only
      Custom Network Or Bandmasks - n8+28

      AIS

      United Kingdom

      LTE-M

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      DM devices have had success using 1NCE SIMs
      APN must be set to "iot.1nce.net"

      1NCE (roams on network)

      United Kingdom

      LTE-M

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      O2 (Telefónica) 

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Aeris

      Good results, across a large number of devices (recommended roaming card for the US)

      AT&T (roams on network)

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Pod

      Good results, Pod supply 'native' AT&T SIMs
      Must set APN "data641003"

      AT&T

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Emnify Roaming SIM

      Gets online automatically but be sure to apply the right configuration once online.
      Some Emnify SIMs have been seen to swap IMSIs regularly, causing excessive battery drain
      Roaming SIM Cards - Battery Life Impact

      Sprint and AT&T

      (roams on networks)

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      AT&T

      Only certified devices may be used on these networks (Oyster2 and Dart2 currently)

      AT&T

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Verizon

      Device IMEI must be added to Verizon database by Digital Matter. Only certified devices may be used on Verizon (Remora2, Oyster2, G62 and Yabby GPS currently). Limitations on how often the device may upload - this is handled by Applying the correct settings for Verizon

      Verizon

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Hologram Roaming SIM

      Must configure APN: "hologram" to get online

      AT&T (roams on network)

      United States of America

      LTE-M

      Twilio Super Roaming SIM 

      Setup:
      APN = super
      4G Network - Global: Cat-M1 Only

      AT&T (roams on network)

      United States of America

      LTE-M & NB-IoT

      1NCE Roaming SIM

      Older generation devices using uBlox modems must have the APN set to "iot.1nce.net" before they can connect.

      Newer generation devices using Nordic modems (Bolt2, Dart3, G70, Hawk, Oyster3, Oyster Edge, Remora3, Yabby3, Yabby Edge) connects automatically. Best to configure the APN as provided by 1NCE

      1NCE (roams on network)

      United States of America

      LTE-M & NB-IoT

      Onomondo Roaming SIM

      Good results, gets online automatically - setting the ‘onomondo’ APN is highly recommended.

      AT&T (roams on network)

      United States of America LTE-M Monogoto Connects automatically. Recommended to configure APN as provided by Monogoto  

       

      Vodafone SIM users

      For Vodafone SIM customers, in some regions, devices are experiencing connectivity issues. When we View Device Logs Numerous instances of "aborting oneshot data" messages are observed. 

      Aborting oneshot data means the connection was aborted mid data transfer (i.e. we could get on the network, and connect, but it failed after that). 

      This is generally due to Firewalls on Vodafone's network. 

      The user should request to Vodafone:

      “Please update the APN access list for the SIM cards with all IP addresses and FQDNs from this article. Please include the US and EU instances to ensure cross-over access at a later stage.”

       

       

      Roaming SIM Cards

      Modem and network updates have led to their performance improving dramatically. Consult the provider's network and country list for full details - but always test!

       

      Roaming SIM Note

      Some networks have in their agreements with roaming SIM providers that their roaming SIMs cannot roam for too long on the home network continuously - or they may be switched off. Check with your providers before deploying large device volumes!

      Some may significantly reduce device battery life - Roaming SIM Cards - Battery Life Impact

       

       

      These SIMs are mentioned in the tables per country. However, they are listed here for convenience. Check the provider's website for a list of countries and networks the SIMs roam on:

      • Emnify
      • Soracom
      • Hologram
      • Twilio
      • 1NCE
      • Onomondo
      • M2M One
      • Vodafone Global Roaming

       

      Our Results/Findings

      See our other article discussing Connectivity - LTE-M vs NB-IoT, Coverage, Providers and Roaming summarising our current confidence level in the various technologies and SIMs. 

       

      How do I configure any network settings if required?

      Our devices use clever firmware features to automatically detect which type of SIM card is installed in a unit on startup, and automatically apply the right settings to get online. We call this Autonet.

      In the majority of cases, devices will get online automatically with no special setup. However, this is not a guarantee.

      Once online, it is recommended that you specifically configure your settings - but this is easy to do Over-The-Air.

      If you are unsure whether your device will get online automatically, it is best that you order a DMLink Cable with your devices. Configuration instructions are detailed here:

      • Setting the Network Profile - LTE-M/NB-IoT devices
      • 4G Network Settings

      In many cases, we've heard from our partners that our latest generation devices automatically connect; without the manual configuration settings done on our previous generations.

      nb-iot lte-m sim roaming setup

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      Related Articles

      • Connectivity - LTE-M vs NB-IoT, Coverage, Providers and Roaming
      • How much data do DM Devices use?
      • Roaming SIM Cards - Battery Life Impact
      • How do I know if my devices are 2G, 3G or 4G?

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