Our 3G/4G mobile Data SIM service provides a proper connection to the Internet (with a fixed IPv4 address), or to your own corporate network (via an L2TP handover).
Use this form to check for 3G coverage in your area. (This only checks 3G, not 4G.)
By default, our SIM cards give you access to the Internet using a fixed real, publicly routed, IPv4 address. Unlike most mobile data services this is delivered without NAT and filtering. This means you can run Internet services on it for remote access.
This product is also be ideal as a fallback connection for when fixed line connectivity fails, IoT and remote monitoring stations, remote management of equipment and so on.
Optionally, and at no extra cost, we can relay the SIM directly into your own corporate network via L2TP. This gives you full control over what the SIM can access. With your own equipment acting in a 'gatekeeper' role, you can ensure that remote devices (since they are not actually on the public Internet) remain secure, and in doing so, keep a tighter control over usage costs. Commonly deployed in IoT devices, digital signage, POS and vending applications, parking meters, environmental control, building management and security.
All our data SIMs can work in either way. Once purchased, a SIM it can be configured for Internet access or relayed on to your own equipment at any time via our Control Pages.
The Data SIM has a one-off cost of £10.00 +VAT and an ongoing cost of £2.00 +VAT pcm. Charges for data usage are on our main call prices page and are typically 1.75p +VAT (UK). There is no minimum term. You can purchase the Data SIM unactivated and only start paying when you activate the Data SIM on-line (takes up to half an hour)
No more top-ups that run out at inconvenient moments, or paying for usage every month when you only use data some of the time. The service normally has no caps on usage. You just pay for what you use.
If you cease a SIM part way through a month there is no refund of the ongoing charge for the period already billed in advance.
Using a data SIM as broadband backup
You can specify a username and password for a DSL line and receive routing for the IP addresses for that line - this allows the Data SIM to be used in a mobile router to provide a backup for DSL lines with full IPv4 routing including blocks of IPv4, and full 1500 byte MTU support.
Custom Branding
Our voice and data SIM cards are ideal for a corporate network or for a wholesale customer to set up their own mobile service.
We can offer branding with professional quality SIM printing and pre-set settings. Find out more.
Fixed IPv4 addresses
Normally a Data SIM is allocated a single fixed IPv4 address. This is used when you connect and you do not need to set any username, password or APN to use the Data SIM in the UK. Simply insert in to your equipment.
The service has no filtering. The combination of fixed real IPv4 address and unfiltered connection gives you a real connection to the Internet. No longer will you have trouble accessing a site that your mobile provider has mistakenly decided has adult content. No longer will you have problems sending an email via your corporate mail server because port 25 is blocked. This is a real Internet connection on your mobile device. You can even control the reverse DNS for your IP on our control pages. There is no NAT involved, you can ping your iPad!
No IPv6
IPv6 is not yet available directly, but can be routed via IPv4 (protocol 41) tunnels if required. We hope to have native IPv6 soon and so provide a full Internet access service on mobile data.
Technical details
Data SIMs are provided on a full size SIM card with push out mini-SIM, and within that a push out micro-SIM. We also print the nano-SIM outline. Cutting the Data SIM down is easy but at your own risk (to SIM and mobile device), so we suggest doing so before you activate the Data SIM. Nano SIM cutters are available in the Internet but otherwise small straight bladed nail scissors work well.
The APN need not be set in the UK, if required then set to m2m.aql.net. Username and password are not normally needed unless using as ADSL backup or with corporate L2TP relay (see below).
The IPv4 address is allocated automatically. The remote IPv4 (i.e. our end of PPP link) is usually not meaningful and may show as 10.64.64.64. We can route blocks of IPv4 addresses as well. Full 1500 byte MTU is supported.
The Data SIM only works on the Three UK network. Do check their web site for coverage details.
Roaming
Roaming is disabled at present.
Voice/text
The Data SIMs do not provide voice calls or texts. We offer a SIP2SIM voice SIM service if you need these.
