5 questions to ask your IoT connectivity partner before committing

 

Too often, companies get locked into inflexible contracts with hidden fees, limited coverage, or underwhelming support. By the time they realise the provider wasn’t the right fit, they’ve already sunk time, money, and engineering resources into a system that doesn’t scale.

 

Here are the five questions you should always ask before signing the dotted line.

 

1. Can you guarantee reliable global coverage—without roaming headaches?

 

Your devices might be deployed just locally now, but if you plan to grow and scale, coverage across multiple regions, countries, or continents can be crucial. And while many providers say they offer “global connectivity,” the details matter.

 

Ask:

• Do you have multi-network access or just roaming?

• How do you handle permanent roaming restrictions in places like Germany or Brazil?

• Do you use local IMSIs to stay compliant with regional regulations?

 

Why it matters:
Downtime, signal dropouts and roaming penalties are avoidable—if your provider has the right agreements in place. 

 

2. What security features are built in at the SIM and network level?

 

Security should never be an afterthought in IoT. The attack surface is too large, and the risks too high—especially in industries like energy, healthcare, and transportation.

 

Ask:

• Do you offer private APNs, VPN tunnels, or network segmentation?

• Is traffic encrypted end-to-end?

• How do you manage device identity and SIM authentication?

• What certifications do you hold (e.g. ISO 27001, GSMA SAS, GDPR compliance)?

Why it matters:
Public networks leave you exposed. Your provider should offer enterprise-grade protections that start at the SIM and extend all the way to the cloud.

 

3. Do you offer a platform to manage SIMs and monitor deployments in real time?

 

If managing your SIMs still means emailing support or navigating clunky dashboards, that’s a red flag.

 

Ask:

• Can I view and manage all my SIMs from a single platform?

• Can I track data usage, uptime, and alerts in real time?

• Is the platform API-enabled to integrate with our internal systems?

 

Why it matters:
At scale, visibility is everything. You need to know what’s happening in your network—without waiting on someone else to generate a report.

 

4. What does your pricing model actually look like at scale?

 

Plenty of providers look affordable at first glance, but the fine print tells another story.

 

Ask:

• Is pricing per device, per MB, or via pooled data?

• Are there any hidden fees (activation, deactivation, roaming, overage fees)?

• Can we scale up or down without renegotiating contracts?

• Do you offer predictable monthly billing across geographies?

 

Why it matters:
If your CFO can’t predict next month’s connectivity bill, you’re going to run into problems fast. Transparent pricing lets you scale with confidence.

 

5. How responsive is your support—and who actually picks up the phone?

 

When something breaks (and it will), the last thing you want is to be passed between call centre tiers while your devices sit offline.

 

Ask:

• What are your support SLAs?

• Do we get a dedicated account manager or customer success contact?

• How quickly can you resolve urgent issues?

• Do you offer 24/7 technical support?

 

Why it matters:
Support isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about trust. A good partner will act like part of your team—not just a vendor.

 

Find the right partner

Connectivity is core infrastructure. The wrong partner can slow you down, cost you money, and put your business at risk. The right one will simplify your life, secure your network, and help you scale globally.

 

At IXT, we’re built for CTOs who don’t want surprises. Just secure, scalable IoT connectivity—with the tools and support to match.