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Using your regular subscriber identity module (SIM) card overseas to stay in touch with people back home can be overly expensive.

Local mobile SIM card companies apply very high roaming charges on international networks. The solution is to buy an international SIM card to use when going abroad.

You can always buy a SIM card in the country you are visiting, but these have a number of disadvantages. Or you can have an international SIM  

Still, not all international SIM cards are equal. They vary in terms of service and features. To help you find the right one, here is a list of pointers for buying an international SIM card.  

Your phone: compatible, locked or unlocked?

First of all. your phone must be unlocked so that an international SIM will work in it.

Then, check the technology compatibility of your phone. A phone that uses CDMA technology can only work on local frequencies, not overseas.

On the other hand, GSM is a very portable technology. Problem is, some local cell phone companies choose to lock (restrict) their devices to be used only on the network of that specific carrier that sells it.

In any case, you’ll have to get the phone unlocked before you can use it with any SIM. Check with your original network, as they usually do this, albeit for a fee. Alternatively, you can have repair specialists unlock your phone for you. Otherwise you can simply buy an unlocked phone from third-party retailers and use on any network without restrictions.

Once you have an unlocked handset, you can choose from a myriad of international SIM cards available in the market.

Data bundles and packages: do they suit your needs?  

You won’t always be plugged on to Wi-Fi when you travel overseas so if you are an internet buff then you will need a cell data plan.

It’s really difficult to estimate the amount of data you’ll use. But you can save by subscribing to data weekly or monthly bundles.

Voice and text services: can you enjoy free incoming calls?   

Communication needs vary from user to user. If you are a business person then you might need to make a lot of calls. That’s why you should check if a global SIM card that offers the best voice and text services or perks to meet your specific expectations.

For one, the most preferred SIM cards offer free incoming calls from numerous countries. With free incoming calls, you can always text someone and have them call you instead.

The phone number you get: is it expensive to call?

Every SIM has at least one assigned phone number. This number has to be registered to a country, and this determines rates for incoming calls.

Chances are that someone or a group of people might be contacting you more than others. That’s why it’s important to consider how much these people need to pay when calling you.  

Hence, go for a phone with an international code that will make calling you affordable. A U.K. number, for instance, will begin with a +44, a U.S. number +1, while a German dialing code will be +49.

With an international SIM, the code on your global phone number remains, regardless of which country you are staying. People who call you will be charged as if they are calling that given country. Suppose you have a US number and you visit Germany,  your callers will pay for an international call to a US number.

List of countries

Some international SIM cards cover only a limited number of countries while there are those that have a worldwide coverage. The list of countries covered by the card will determine the number of locations where you can use the SIM card. To avoid having to incur additional costs of buying a new international SIM every now and again, consider buying a card that has the widest international coverage.

Look into the number of countries that are accessible through the global SIM card you’re buying before you check off. Most international SIM card companies will have these countries listed somewhere on their website. You can look through to establish if all the countries you intend to visit are covered on the list before you buy.

Recharge: how easy is it?

Go for a card that is easy and convenient to top up. A lot of international SIM cards have an auto-recharge feature which can prove to be extremely handy when you are in some remote part of a country you barely know. Others also provide you with alternative options that are equally convenient such as the ability to top up through the web or via a phone app.

While these features and services can prove to be a bit confusing with most international SIM cards, OneSimCard has streamlined their services, offering a number of key advantages:  

• Fantastic Data rates worldwide. 5 GB of data for only $29.95
• Service in 200+ countries
• Free incoming calls in 160+ countries
• Redundant network partners in most countries – we  choose the best signal strength for our customers
• Huge saving compared to the international roaming offered by your domestic carrier

OneSimCard lets you save 85% or more on your international roaming charges overseas.

Furthermore, we provide some of the lowest call costs on outgoing calls and data packages from as low as $0.02 per MB.

We’d love to hear how we can be of service to you.

Call now!

Ever wondered how sophisticated machines like industrial units coordinate their different functions without the direct control of an operator? Or how the various systems of a plane are seamlessly coordinated to ensure nothing goes wrong along the way?

Industrial systems, engines and sophisticated machines are increasingly wired by technology that can facilitate activities flawlessly without any additional human input. Such technology is capable of diagnosing system operations and detect problems way before they occur – welcome to the world of M2M.

M2M or Machine to machine is a concept used to describe technologies that enable networked devices to exchange data or information and perform the right actions without the manual human assistance.

Machine to machine communication is used in remote monitoring of machine operations and system processes. It has become an important aspect of warehouse management, robotics, remote control, traffic control, fleet management, supply chain management, logistic services and telemedicine.  

M2M is a subset of the Internet of Things (IoT)

While some people, including professionals within the industry view that M2M and IoT are interchangeable, the two have different meanings.

M2M depends on a network – with cellular, satellite, public networks – coming into play as for the machines to send and receive instructions.  IoT on the other hand refers to a broader concept and is not limited to telco networks.

IoT is a system of interrelated computing devices, objects, mechanical and digital machines or people that have the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-computer or human-to-human interaction. There are unique identifiers in IoT that enable the system to do online data gathering, process automation, and remote control.

IoT centres on connecting applications and devices. Autonomous data, personal devices, app generated events, server or cloud processing can all be interlinked under the IoT.

Considering the data sharing aspect, M2M with Internet protocols qualifies as a subset of IoT.

Simply put, machine-to-machine communication involves the transfer of information between machines and remote application infrastructure aimed at monitoring and controlling the machine itself or the surrounding environment, with the use of network resources. The IoT on the other hand is all about the potential interconnection of smart objects and the means by which we interact with the digital machines and use them in the physical world.

The state of M2M technologies today

IoT has enabled companies to provide better services and reduce costs, ultimately improving the quality of life.

It has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, micro services, MEMS or micro-electromechanical systems and the internet into something greater and interconnected. IoT is still evolving. Good thing It has allowed unstructured data generated by machines to be analysed for insights that can drive major improvements.

The concept came up after the co-founder and executive director of The MIT Auto-ID Kevin Ashton first mentioned it in his 1999 presentation to Procter & Gamble.

Its subset, M2M system has components that include sensors, a Wi-Fi or cellular communications link, RFID and autonomic computing software that are programmed to help a networked device interpret chunks of data and make decisions – just as Kevin Ashton envisioned when he first talked about IoT in 1999.

Today, the most popular type of M2M communication is telemetry. This refers to the recording and transmission the readings of an implement; which has been in use for decades to transmit operational data.

Telemetry now uses the internet moving from telephone lines and radio waves.

Aspects of machine to machine communication can now be found in products like home heating units, Internet-connected household appliances and electric meters. Products with built-in M2M capabilities are commonly labelled as ‘smart’ products while being marketed to end users.

M2M communication is currently built as task- or device-specific systems without a standardised connected device platform.

Application of M2M communication

The full potential of M2M communication is yet to be realised.

Common components of M2M systems such as Wi-Fi, cellular communication links, autonomic computing, RFID, sensors and programming software are things that we interact with or use daily.  These are all elements that help a networked device interpret data independently and come up with the right decisions.

How many products do you know that are labelled as smart? These smart devices are all laced with the IoT technology, evidencing the vast importance of M2M communication to both individuals and businesses.

At OneSimCard, we have a range of solutions designed to make it easier to automate your business processes and expansion, cut costs, increase productivity and improve customer service as well as the quality of life.

Here are some of the main application areas where our M2M services come handy:

Asset Management

Machine to machine communication has become crucial in the automotive industry.

You can use our services in managing and tracking your fleet and other high value assets. Other forms of M2M asset management applications include monitoring of fuel consumption, maintenance reporting, collection of field data, telematics and prevention of fraud.  

Services Management

Our IoT packages can help you save energy on your appliances, both at the household and business level.

We can also help you with job site connectivity, maintenance scheduling and preventive maintenance.

Remote monitoring

You can make it easier to manage your security and other services through building automation. We can also help you remotely get your meter readings, and check your digital signs & billboards.

Let us know how we can help you with the huge range of M2M services we offer.

OneSimCard is an international sim card provider and mobile service for savvy travelers to greatly reduce the cost of using a mobile phone or other mobile devices while traveling overseas.

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