What to Look for in a Connectivity Partner

Finding the right connectivity partner is not as challenging as it may seem. Joining forces with a reliable connectivity provider, allows you to provide quality services to your customers and also expand your client base. With the right telecom provider, you’ll get global connectivity to engage your customers and remain competitive.

How can you choose a reliable connectivity partner for your own brand? What are the major parameters for connectivity? What connectivity products will be the best choice for your clients?

Major Parameters for Connectivity

• Local coverage. When it comes to the choice of the best connectivity partners for your IoT related business, the major factor that you need to take into account is the coverage in your main target market. In order to make the right choice, check out the coverage maps for all carriers in your market. For example, if you run a GPS tracking business in Canada and the USA then you are given a wide range of choice of telecom companies that are trusted by millions of customers in the mentioned areas. Bell, Rogers, and Telus are the top preferences in the Canadian market, whereas Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T are the leaders in the US. But the best choice  is to use several operators on the same sim card, so you will have maximum coverage and redundancy (e.g. Keepgo).
• International coverage. The next thing that you need to mind is whether or not a carrier provides international coverage. At some point you want to expand abroad. You want to use the same sim card and the same management system for your product everywhere, because it simplifies all your processesses.
• Management console. A console is essential for every business looking for an easy to way to take control their SIM cards. This is a web-based graphic interface that provides quick access to all SIM cards that are linked to your business account. With its help, you can preview and change SIM cards statuses, monitor data usage, send SMS messages, and more.
• API. API capability is the must-have point for more tech-savvy customers and developers. This is a highly flexible solution that provides an extra level of control over lines.
  For example, an API allows you to:
     • receive a list of destinations where a SIM card has been used (including reports on data usage in each location);
     • receive current balance reports for your account;
     • receive lists of data sessions for a certain SIM card;
     • send SMS messages to a device;
     • receive up-to-date pricing;
     • view balance history, account and subaccount details;
     • manage SIM cards lifestyle and receive audit logs for changes for every SIM
  Nonetheless, most carriers only provide API capability for customers with thousands of lines. If that’s not the case for you, t look for a different partner that can provide API capability even for one IoT line (e.g. Keepgo).
• 2G, 3G or LTE technology that is required by your smart device. The operator should have coverage for this technology.
• Pay Per Use is the most common model in B2B markets. It comes closest to matching the amount customers spend with the amount they consume. The customer pays only for actual usage, with no commitments, and may not even pay for the underlying product.

Take for example, Pay-Per-MB plan from Keepgo, i.e. a prepaid account model with a single pay-per-MB tariff giving you the ability to control, optimize, and estimate expenses ahead of time. Such a plan includes set rates per country for all API SIM cards. You pay only for the traffic that your API SIM card uses, without any hidden fees.

SIM cards feature:

• A management platform to keep an eye on all SIM cards registered to a customer's account, view account balance, and refill it online as needed.
• An API console to take control of SIM cards using an API. You can activate/deactivate/receive detailed data reports for each SIM; send SMS and review balance history using API commands.
• A prepaid account makes it easier to plan ahead and avoid unexpected expenses.
• 24/7 Support via phone, online chat and email.

A quick roundup of aspects to keep in mind when choosing a connectivity provider:

• Ensure flawless customer communications by choosing a connectivity partner that delivers high quality local and global coverage.
• Test the services of the chosen telecom provider before signing a deal.
• Select a provider offering an API console and the possibility to let you control your account and watch data use in real time.
• Partner with a communications provider that offers PAYG plans, to avoid paying for unused megabytes.
• Always aim for the lowest contract period so you can always consider other competitors and negotiate a better deal.