SIM Types & Plans

Soracom provides several types of SIM modules to fit a wide variety of cellular devices. Soracom works directly with SIM manufacturers and network carriers to provide each SIM module type.

Following standard telecommunications terminology, each SIM on the Soracom platform may be termed a subscriber when referring to its network properties or functionality. The terms SIM card or Embedded SIM are used when referring to the physical SIM module.

Characteristics

Each SIM is categorized by the following three characteristics:

Physical Form Factor

Soracom offers both SIM card and Embedded SIM (eSIM) form factors. SIM cards provide flexibility and work with a wide variety of cellular hardware (such as 3G/LTE modems and development kits) that use SIM card slots. Most Soracom IoT SIM cards come in a "trio" pre-cut card that can be resized to fit standard/mini- (2FF), micro- (3FF), and nano-SIM (4FF) slots. For hardware applications with space constraints or security requirements, eSIMs (MFF2) provide the same cellular connectivity in a smaller package that can be soldered directly onto the device.

New iSIM module support

Soracom connectivity is now built-in for a select number of iSIM (integrated SIM) modules. These modules combine both a cellular communications module and embedded SIM in a single integrated package, reducing the number of components that need to be installed inside a device further minimizing the amount of space required. For information on purchasing iSIM modules, contact us .

Coverage Type

Soracom IoT SIMs are categorized by their cellular coverage: Global or Japan-only.

Across Global Coverage plans and optional subscriptions, Soracom IoT SIMs offer network connectivity in over 200 countries and territories, including Japan, through roaming agreements between Soracom and each country's cellular network operators. Note that Global Coverage also includes IoT SIMs that are tailored for specific countries or regions around the world.

Japan Coverage IoT SIMs offer network connectivity only in Japan (connecting to other networks outside of Japan is not supported), and provide separate platform functionality tailored for customers whose devices will be deployed in Japan.

Whether you use the Soracom User Console to manage your IoT SIMs directly from your browser, or the Soracom API or Soracom CLI to integrate or automate SIM management tasks with your application, you will need to use the correct Coverage Type that corresponds to your IoT SIM.

Subscription Plan

Soracom IoT SIMs are available in various subscription plans that determine different amounts of coverage, data rates, and other connectivity services.

Soracom IoT SIMs (Global Coverage)

01s IoT SIMs also support [Subscription Containers](../subscription-containers) which allow you to add additional subscription plans to the same SIM in order to unlock lower data rates in specific regions or extend coverage to more countries and networks:

- P1 provides lower data rates in the Asia Pacific region and expands the number of countries covered.
- US-max expands United States coverage with Verizon.
- NT1 adds satellite-based NB-IoT (NTN R17) connectivity via the Skylo satellite network.

Subscriptions can be added directly from the Soracom User Console and are delivered wirelessly to your 01s SIM. For more information, refer to the [Subscription Containers](../subscription-containers) documentation.

• 01s-lowdatavolume (LDV) provides flat-rate Pay-As-You-Go data pricing for IoT applications that have minimal data usage while still supporting most countries around the world.

• US provides coverage in the United States with a simple fixed monthly price that includes bundled data that can be changed on a per-SIM basis. US also provides a local IMSI, a higher bandwidth; 16Mbps Speed Class, and coverage that includes regional carriers for rural areas in the United States.

  US IoT SIMs also support Subscription Containers which allow you to add additional subscription plans to the same SIM in order to extend coverage to more countries and networks:

  • US-max expands United States coverage with T-Mobile and Verizon.
  • US-NA expands United States coverage with T-Mobile and extends coverage to Canada & Mexico.
  • NT1 adds satellite-based NB-IoT (NTN R17) connectivity via the Skylo satellite network.

  Subscriptions can be added directly from the Soracom User Console and are delivered wirelessly to your US SIM. For more information, refer to the Subscription Containers documentation.

Soracom IoT SIMs for Japan (Japan Coverage)

Comparison of IoT SIMs

The following tables provide an overview of Soracom IoT SIM form factors, network coverage, and subscription plans:

Global Coverage:

^{*1 - Refer to the Supported Carriers documentation for carrier information.
*2 - Total coverage changes based on any optional subscriptions added to the SIM.
*3 - Actual network availability varies by country and local operator.
*4 - Cellular sessions will be deleted by Soracom if they exist for a certain period without sending data, dependent on the Rendezvous Point being used. This timeout does not prevent devices from creating new sessions if they are programmed to do so. The idle session timeout duration may be changed without notice. If the idle session timeout timer is affecting your LTE-M deployment that is using eDRX (Extended Discontinuous Reception) or PSM (Power Saving Mode) contact Soracom Support for assistance.
*5 - Mobile Terminated SMS (SMS delivered from Soracom to a device).}

Japan Coverage:

^{*1 - Cellular sessions will be deleted by Soracom if they exist for a certain period without sending data, dependent on the Rendezvous Point being used. This timeout does not prevent devices from creating new sessions if they are programmed to do so. The idle session timeout duration may be changed without notice. If the idle session timeout timer is affecting your LTE-M deployment that is using eDRX (extended Discontinuous Reception) or PSM (Power Saving Mode) contact Soracom Support for assistance.}

Hardware Compatibility

Soracom IoT SIMs (Global Coverage) require a SIM-free (or carrier-unlocked) device. When using a Global Coverage IoT SIM in a device that is carrier-locked or carrier-branded, you may receive an error message indicating that you cannot use the Soracom IoT SIM card. You will need to contact the carrier in order to obtain a code to unlock your device.

Soracom IoT SIMs for Japan (Japan Coverage) work with both SIM-free (or carrier unlocked) devices, as well as NTT Docomo-branded devices when using D or DU, and au/KDDI-branded devices when using K, K2 and KM1. NTT Docomo- and au/KDDI-branded devices do not need to be carrier-unlocked when used with their respective subscription plans.

Network Compatibility

In general, Soracom IoT SIMs do not have any limitations with cellular networks around the world. However, you must check that your device is compatible with the network frequencies in the country of use.

For example, when using a Soracom IoT SIM in a device in the United States, you must check that your device supports the 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT frequency bands that are available in the United States.

In some cases, 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT coverage may not be available on a particular network. Even if your device supports the correct frequency bands, it will not be able to connect on a particular radio type (such as 4G/LTE) if none of the available networks in that country have deployed the corresponding network.

Managing IoT SIMs

Because Soracom IoT SIMs are categorized by their Global or Japan Coverage Type, management of SIMs is handled accordingly. When using the Soracom User Console, Soracom API, or Soracom CLI to manage SIMs, make sure to use the correct coverage type or endpoint that corresponds to your SIM.