How multi-net SIMs revolutionise IoT, phones, lift-lines & laptops
Multi-network SIMs are set to make an unprecedented impact on the digital landscape for housing providers. Connectivity is a factor that affects every aspect of a modern organisation, with a huge number of applications in the housing sector. As such, the advances offered by multi-net SIMs will revolutionise the sector, providing major gains across the board.
While multi-net SIMs are nothing new in themselves, many people’s current experience is with an older iteration of ‘steered’ SIMs. These SIMs are preset with a primary network and will only deviate when they receive zero signal. Despite access to multiple networks, a steered SIM will remain loyal to one, even if it provides poor signal.
The new generation of multi-net SIMs are ‘unsteered’, allowing your devices to move freely between networks and maintain the best possible signal. This enables a new standard for network resilience with a number of major benefits; increased internet speeds, an end to connection drop-outs, simple installation and flexible scalability.
From mobile phones that form the backbone of communications to laptop computers and a vast network of IoT devices, multi-net SIMs have no end of applications.
The solution posed by these SIMs arrives at a perfect time, with PSTN landlines on their way out and organisations needing a modern replacement. Simultaneously, the number of IoT devices is skyrocketing; there are around 16 billion IoT devices connected globally, with that figure expected to double by 2030.
Organisations need an effective solution to supersede old systems and enable new ones, with unsteered multi-net SIMs spearheading an as-yet-unseen standard for connectivity.
Down with downtime – Unparalleled network resilience
Of all the advantages multi-net SIMs offer, the most crucial is network resilience. From mobile phone signals that won’t drop out to emergency voice systems that guarantee residents’ safety, multi-net SIMs provide the ultimate ‘always on’ solution.
These unsteered SIMs offer access to the UK’s four major networks (EE, O2, Three & Vodafone). As long as one of these titans of telecommunications has signal, you’ve got signal, providing constant connection for your phones and devices. Soon, drop-outs and disconnections will be a thing of the past.
With the ability to roam freely between networks for the best signal strength, unsteered multi-net SIMs offer a consistently better signal, especially for workers and devices that stay on the move.
An answer for everything – IoT applications
The internet of things is always growing, providing new solutions to boost efficiencies and keep things running smoothly. However, some organisations have found it easier to implement IoT projects than others.
A study by Beecham Research found that 58 per cent of adopters and buyers considered their IoT projects to be unsuccessful, with all respondents identifying connectivity as a significant technical challenge. Other barriers included network coverage, reliability and scalability. Participants referenced pain points such as poor connectivity in rural areas and the lack of a single, universal network that could provide full coverage.
Notably, all of these problems are directly addressed with unsteered, multi-net connectivity – a single solution that offers total coverage, connectivity and reliability. With no need for physical infrastructure and data aggregation features available, wireless connectivity via multi-net SIMs also provides easy scalability.
The network resilience provided by multi-net SIMs benefits a vast array of IoT devices, such as lift-lines, CCTV, door-entry systems, mobile-safety devices, smart sensors and personal alarms.
IoT for emergency voice
Network resilience is important across all of your devices, but it’s crucial for emergency voice. Protecting the safety and well-being of residents and staff alike, these are the connections you can’t afford to drop.
In 2023, UK businesses suffered a cumulative 8.8 million internet failures and 50.5 million hours of disruptive downtime. A Which? survey found that 12 per cent of participants had been left without connection for at least an hour, while six per cent had been left without connection for more than a day.
This highlights the necessity of multi-net connectivity for emergency voice systems, preventing vulnerable residents from being left at the mercy of network drop-outs.
Smart devices to manage properties
IoT devices offer particular value to housing providers, with new solutions emerging to monitor homes and improve organisational efficiency. For example, IoT-enabled smart sensors can monitor humidity and air quality in real time, preventing hazardous living conditions and expensive repairs.
As an example of this new technology, Social Telecoms is launching a new Mould Monitor service for the housing sector, using the network resilience and connectivity of multi-net SIMs. This smart device helps housing providers meet their duty of care under the Social Housing Regulation Act and Awaab’s Law, providing alerts and reports on the conditions of tenants’ homes.
While innovative smart devices offer new solutions for housing providers, they are throttled by the existing PSTN landline infrastructure – a system that obviously wasn’t developed with the IoT in mind. As PSTN lines are replaced by modern, digital infrastructure, we’re sure to see IoT devices become even more relevant, offering new services and features.
Dead lines… the PSTN switch-off
Sticking with your old landline connection isn’t an option; PSTN phonelines are due for disconnection at the beginning of 2027.
As such, every organisation must find an alternative solution for any phones and devices that use traditional PSTN lines. However, Openreach’s suggested replacement, SoGEA, relies on the same outdated copper cables as the previous system, while costing around 60 per cent more.
Physical lines are prone to failure and require substantial work to install, unlike the fully-wireless, future-proofed alternative provided by multi-net SIM cards. In fact, in many use-cases a SIM-based solution costs 40 per cent less than PSTN lines, providing better service with substantial savings.
The PSTN switch-off marks a deadline for organisations to transition to digital infrastructure, but why wait until then? Moving to multi-net SIMs now means you feel the benefits sooner, with more time to ensure a smooth transition away from any landline connections.
In addition to network resilience, multi-net SIMs are available with a wide range of tariffs and data allowances to suit your IoT systems. Whether you need large amounts of data for audio and video or the bare minimum for a smart sensor, there’s an appropriate tariff. This ensures you only pay for the data your devices need, and in many cases offers a much cheaper alternative for IoT devices than a PSTN landline.
The future, available now…
Multi-net SIMs represent the future of connectivity – a future your organisation can implement today. Whether you want to introduce IoT systems or future-proof your existing devices, multi-net SIMs provide crucial reliability and versatility.
Social Telecoms is available to supply multi-net SIM cards to Procure for Housing members through ‘Lot 4’ of its telecommunications framework. This allows for a direct award, removing the need for lengthy tendering exercises. Demonstrations and trial SIMs are also available; please contact us for details.
Jess Ross is the business development manager at Social Telecoms.
