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Ask HN: Cellular Data Options for MQTT
Options for data only SIMs seem to be all over the place. Google fi charges $10 / GB for additional data only SIMs, Twilio Super SIMs are $0.10 / MB, and now Verizon is offering 5G Home Unlimited for $50 month-to-month.
The use case I'm trying to solve for is an urban location where sensors are sending MQTT data on an occasional basis and not using more than 1 or 2 GB per month. At the moment, the Google fi SIM is the most cost effective, but it isn't scalable in a business context.
What are others doing to resolve cellular data connectivity at a reasonable price?
- detaro 5y ago"not more than 1 or 2 GB" is a lot for just some occasional sensor data. (~20-50kByte/minute) Many "IoT" targeting providers I've seen specialize their cheaper offerings more on a lot lower rates.
- dano 5y agoYes, it is a lot of data - there are some sensors over which I can't buffer and control their data usage very well. They're on the same network as devices that I can control.
- liamwestray 5y agoHologram.io
- dano 5y agoThanks. Without negotiation its $0.08/MB.
- liamwestray 5y agoIt’s $0.03/MB. Check again.
- davismwfl 5y agoGet with the dominate provider(s) in the areas you are evaluating and talk to them, there are tons of options that you won't ever see online from them. Companies like Verizon, AT&T etc have all kinds of business plans which you can't find online, you need to talk with a business account manager. As you'd expect, volume has a large impact on your pricing. If you are just prototyping and not ready to create a relationship then use one of the online plans with a provider or Twilio etc until you are ready. You'll generally pay a bit more doing this, but for prototyping it gives you more options and you can try different providers etc.
- mobilio 5y agoTry https://blues.io https://blues.io But their SIM is embedded in SoC.
- mobilio 5y agoAnother is ThingsMobile: https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/shared-data-packages https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/shared-data-pack... They have many data plans and have worldwide support.
- mobilio 5y agoTheir minimum is €0.02 per MB: https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan-with-subscription-fee https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan... with fee of 2EUR. Without subscription: https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan-without-subscription-fee https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan... it's €0.1 per MB.