Events Newsletter

Football Success in Qatar for IoT mobile and data specialist Cellhire!

Eve Kalinka

[20 January 2023] York, UK. Global IoT and mobile data specialist Cellhire provided over 5,000 mobile connections to teams, sponsors, media and other attendees at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Global media, including public and commercial tv and radio, online-streaming broadcasters and press agencies, utilised a combination of large data bundles on Cellhire SIM cards, mobile hotspots, smartphones and other value-added telecoms services to allow them to coordinate their operations at the World Cup in an effective and highly secure manner on Ooredoo’s 5G network.

Cellhire Group Chief Operating Officer, Tim Taylor, says, “Establishing a strong partnership with the leading mobile network in Qatar, Ooredoo, before the World Cup, helped us to provide a high quality and seamless service to our clients during the event.  The relationship was not only important for clients attending the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 but for our core global connectivity business.  Our success in Qatar provides us with excellent momentum as we move towards the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this summer, countries for which we already have well established direct network relationships.”

Cellhire is the preferred supplier of mobile data and M2M and IoT connectivity for clients involved in major events around the world. Being able to offer secure mobile data connections for use across the globe reduces clients’ roaming costs and helps to protect user privacy and mitigate risk to personal data.

“We have an excellent track record in the international sports and entertainment fields for providing data connections and mobile telecom solutions through the close relationships we have with network providers around the world.  In total, we have provided many tens of thousands of connections at major events, such as Olympic, Paralympic and Winter Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro Finals, Commonwealth Games and the Tour de France. These connections enable the media to have reliable and secure data connections to report and live-broadcast to their audiences,” adds Taylor.

Cellhire will provide similar services and connectivity at the Rugby World Cup France 2023 and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the company has a long-standing relationship with the French Mobile Network Operator Orange and with whom Cellhire operates as a Full MVNO.

About Cellhire

Cellhire (www.cellhire.info) is a leading global telecoms provider of mobile communications, M2M/IoT services and data connectivity to enterprise clients and indirect partners worldwide.

Established in 1987, the group serves EMEA, Americas and APAC with offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan. Partnering with mobile network operators globally, Cellhire provides access to mobile connectivity at market-leading commercials to companies worldwide.

The company is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service which is underlined by its continued attainment of ISO 9001, the internationally recognised quality standard. Cellhire has worked with Investors in People (IIP) since 2004 and holds the We Invest In People Gold standard. Additionally, the company won the highly coveted Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of mobile communication solutions for events around the world.

Since 2019, Cellhire has attained ISO 27001, the internationally recognised Information Security Management System Standard (ISMS).

Cellhire recently secured a significant investment from mid-market private equity house LDC for a minority stake, to accelerate its substantial growth plans.

IoT

IoT use cases within healthcare

Eve Kalinka
IoT Within Health Care

The healthcare sector is a fast paced industry which looks for the most efficient and cost-effective ways of working. Over the past few years the sector has developed dramatically with the help of IoT and we are now starting to see technologies that we have only dreamt about taking physical form.

This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on, because your current healthcare contacts could unlock you hidden revenue by offering more than just the basic IoT.

It is key to acknowledge this progress and appreciate where this could lead us in the future. IoT is taking many industries by storm but one with the biggest impact on society is within healthcare, which is why we are here to round up our top 5 use cases.

Smart beds – Monitor beds for movement and wetting while having an easy way for patients to call for help or control the bed. This provides a better patient experience and increases employee efficiency.

Dose management – Control the amount of medicine being distributed to reduce readmission rates and lower costs due to better long-term management. This also increases employee and patient experience.

Independent living – Technology now gives people suffering with conditions such as dementia an opportunity to live independently with bed sensors, GPS/movement trackers and drug management.

Remote condition communication – Ambulances which are connected are allowing paramedics to be continuously connected to the emergency doctors, providing a way to share patient details and symptoms before they even reach the hospital. This creates better efficiency and improves waiting times.

Wearables – Wearable IoT devices assist teams in collecting data about patients sleep patterns, temperature and heart rate. It immediately transfers the data to nurses and is also ideal for offsite management.

IoT Within Health Care

As you can see from these use cases IoT is reshaping the world of healthcare making hospitals and home living more efficient with better patient and employee experience. So which IoT solutions do you currently offer to your clients and what will you begin to offer now?

At Cellhire we help you push the boundaries of technology with over 30 years’ experience in the industry and are continuously looking to support businesses in welcoming IoT to their everyday processes. To find out more about how we can support you with IoT click here.

IoT, Partners

What are the capabilities of an IoT eSIM?

Ella Dykes

eSIM is not a new topic, indeed the requirement for eSIM has been around for some time, however the reality is that there have been very few deployments. Cellhire have recognised the potential benefits for eSIM and our investment in our own MVNO now allows us to meet the requirements of OEMs, device manufacturers and distributors.

An eSIM is embedded in a device and eUICC allows network operators & MVNOs like Cellhire to send SIM profiles over the air (OTA) — without needing physical access to the device.

What does an enterprise IoT deployment look like with eSIM?

Remote Provisioning:

Certain use cases might mean you don’t know the end destination of your devices and provisioning them prior to deployment can often prove difficult.
The ability to send devices into the field first and provision them with the needed SIM profile after is one of the biggest advantages of eUICC-enabled eSIMs and allows for a streamlined supply chain, meaning companies can avoid manufacturing bottlenecks and dead on arrival devices.

Improved Scalability:

Companies can scale their IoT projects more easily because they no longer have to plan for SIM card trade-outs, which can be costly. Every device contains the same hardware and software combination while being flexible to different local networks, meaning you can choose the device’s network after it’s deployed.

Improved Flexibility:

Flexibility is crucial for many IoT projects – eSIM devices typically have an extended battery life, especially those that operate on LTE-M or NB-IoT network protocols. They are more compact and better sealed for use cases that will require the device to be deployed outdoors, underground, underwater or in unusual environments.

eSIM deployment in 3 steps:

Step 1: Refine your eSIM approach

  • Will you need to access and remove SIMs, or will they be embedded in the device?
  • What is the total expected lifespan of your devices? Will they be deployed outdoors and/or in adverse temperature and weather conditions?
  • Will the devices be static (deployed in one place for their entire lifecycle) or mobile (moving from place to place on a connected vehicle, for example)?

Taking the time to answer these questions and build an eSIM strategy that matches your needs will help you future-proof your connected devices against network and location changes and ensure that the technology you choose will last throughout the devices’ lifecycle.

Step 2: Consider eSIM variables

Once you’ve defined the needs of your use case, you can look more closely at your options and determine which approach and provider work best for you. No matter what, you’ll want to choose an eSIM that’s designed for IoT applications and includes OTA programming capabilities up to date with GSMA standards. Beyond those basics, here are some options to consider:

  • Ruggedized eSIMs (if your devices will be deployed outdoors or in adverse conditions)
  • Long-lasting eSIMs (if your devices will be deployed for a decade or more, make sure the hardware is designed to stand the test of time)
  • A carrier-agnostic provider (Cellhire offers the flexibility to switch between networks around the globe without the need for time-consuming negotiations with our own core MVNO and 41 global network agreements)
  • Access to several cellular technologies and networks (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and LPWAN options such as Cat-M1, Cat,1, and NB-IoT)

Step 3: Deploy and manage your devices with eSIM

With a carrier-agnostic provider like Cellhire, you’ll retain the ability to manage devices in the field and receive instant alerts when a problem is detected — for example, if a device loses connectivity, appears outside its expected geographical boundaries, or experiences hardware or software glitches. When you use Cellhire IoT SIM Management Portal, you can easily download new carriers and SIM profiles to your devices, optimizing coverage and even costs.

If you want to find out more about how IoT could support your customers projects or if you’re interested in partnering with Cellhire, don’t hesitate to get in touch:

Email: iot@cellhire.com
Phone: +44 (0)1904 610610
Visit: http://www.cellhire.co.uk/partners/iot

UK News

Cellhire Achieves Gold Investors In People Accreditation

Craig Stillman

Global IoT and mobile data specialist Cellhire has been awarded We Invest In People Gold Accreditation by Investors in People.

Pictured Left to Right,
Louise Hilton – Cellhire HR Business Partner,
Martyn Stevens – Cellhire CEO,
Ann Southgate – Cellhire Senior HR Business Partner

Investors in People is the national standard which sets out a level of good practice for employee connection, engagement, wellbeing and organisational culture, contributing to organisational stability, security and success.

Investors in People assessed how Cellhire is performing against the We Invest In People framework.

Martyn Stevens, Cellhire CEO, says “It’s great for Cellhire and our customer base to have gained this. Having achieved the We Invest In People Gold Accreditation, Cellhire will continue to work to increase employee engagement and retention, drive innovation and inspire ambition, as well as improve business performance through relevant staff training and development. Congratulations to the entire team on this excellent achievement, I’m very proud to lead an Investors In People Gold Accredited organisation.”

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Cellhire. Gold accreditation on We invest in people is a fantastic effort for any organisation, and places Cellhire in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

About Cellhire

Cellhire (www.cellhire.info) is a leading global telecoms provider of mobile communications, M2M/IoT services and data connectivity to enterprise clients and indirect partners worldwide.

Established in 1987, the group serves EMEA, Americas and APAC with offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan. Partnering with mobile network operators globally, Cellhire provides access to mobile connectivity at market-leading commercials to companies worldwide.

The company is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service which is underlined by its continued attainment of ISO 9001, the internationally recognised quality standard. Cellhire has worked with Investors in People (IIP) since 2004 and hold the We Invest In People Gold standard. Additionally, the company won the highly coveted Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of mobile communication solutions for events around the world.

Since 2019, Cellhire has attained ISO 27001, the internationally recognised Information Security Management System Standard (ISMS).

Cellhire recently secured a significant investment from mid-market private equity house LDC for a minority stake, to accelerate its substantial growth plans.

US News

Cellhire USA announces new partnership with Hughes®, US Satellite Internet provider

Ella Dykes

Dallas, US. Global mobile data specialist Cellhire has established a direct partnership with award winning Satellite Internet Service Provider, Hughes®.

The partnership means Cellhire USA clients can now access faster satellite data, with speeds of up to 25Mbps down. Legacy satellite data can be costly and not as efficient for large data usage, the partnership with Hughes means Cellhire now offers a variety of cost-effective data plans.

The exciting new partnership provides Cellhire USA clients access to an innovative satellite disaster recovery solution. This will support the latest IT networks and a satellite voice solution similar to the cost and options available for traditional fixed line service.

In the event industry, satellite portable devices are most used when an event takes place outside of the reach of GSM (global system for mobile communication). The partnership now means Cellhire USA clients have access to high-speed satellite data on a short-term basis, perfect for the duration of an event where clients may once have been without a secure satellite connection.

Greg Kraynak, US Chief Executive Officer says, “Establishing a direct partnership with Hughes was essential for Cellhire to strengthen its satellite portfolio and to meet the needs of our clients – delivering more data, more features, and more applications. Being able to offer affordable high-speed satellite data is not only important for those requiring satellite solutions, but for our core global connectivity business where we can now offer a more fitting satellite option and service.”

To find out more visit: https://cellhire.com/satellite/hughesnet

About Cellhire

Cellhire (www.cellhire.info), is a leading global telecoms provider of mobile communications, M2M and IoT services and data connectivity to enterprise clients and indirect partners worldwide.

Established in 1987, the Group serves EMEA, Americas and APAC with offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan. Partnering with mobile network operators globally, Cellhire provides access to mobile connectivity at market-leading commercials to companies worldwide.

The company is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service which is underlined by its continued attainment of ISO 9001:2015, the internationally recognized quality standard. Cellhire is Investors in People (IIP) certified and won the highly coveted Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of mobile communication solutions for events around the world.

Since 2019, Cellhire has attained ISO 27001, the internationally recognized Information Security Management System Standard (ISMS), due to the implementation of information security management systems and best practices regarding information security.

Hints & Tips, IoT, Partners

Preparing for 2G & 3G Sunsets

Ella Dykes

In the mobile industry, a sunset is when a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) phases out one of its networks so that all devices or services that still solely rely on that service will no longer be connected. In the case of the 2G & 3G sunsets, this will affect connections relying on 2G/3G for devices & services across the globe. This blog will explore when & why the 2G & 3G sunsets are occurring, how they will affect end users & businesses and how best to prepare for the sunset.

What are the 2G & 3G Sunsets?

This may be the first time you’re hearing of sunsetting, but it is not unusual, it happens to make room for better technology services. 2G & 3G networks are much slower and less efficient and are being shut down to free up more space on the cellular spectrum for MNOs to expand their 4G and 5G capability on a wider basis. The operational complexity of running multiple networks on a spectrum is then reduced and makes room for modern technologies which offer better cost and energy efficiency, enhanced functionality, and an improved customer experience.

When will 2G & 3G sunset?

The 3G sunset does not have one final date, its timeline is scattered across the globe. The variation is down to the individual mobile networks’ intention to stop supporting 3G connections. In the US, most of the largest wireless carriers will shut down their 3G networks by the end of 2022. In Europe, networks such as Vodafone announced they were to stop supporting 3G in 2020 and in the UK, 3G is expected to start shutting down at the beginning of 2023 but is expected to phase out all of its public 3G mobile networks by 2033 to facilitate the mass rollout of 5G.

Some carriers will continue supporting 2G connections for years, others may make an immediate transition to sunset on a specific date, in the US, most of the largest carriers have already shut down their 2G service back in 2020. In Europe, 2G services are expected to last until 2025, but MNO’s will likely start re-farming spectrum before then. However, dates and announcements are constantly changing and so it’s important to be aware of how the sunset may affect you by checking with your MNO provider.

What does this mean for me?

If you’re now beginning to worry about how the 2G & 3G sunsets will affect you, do not panic as most consumer devices, like phones for example, support multiple generations of cellular technology. Even if your device still relies on 2G or 3G from time to time, most likely it will still run as usual after the sunsetting, as 4G and 5G are expected to be more widely available, however it is worth checking that a device that supports 2G/3G fallback has the latest device OS & firmware running. If your home or office has security and alarm systems that use a mobile network, most likely these will still be relying on a 2G/3G connection, fortunately most home security companies have been attempting to migrate customers from 2G/3G to 4G networks, ensuring that their services remain operational. Example technology in the home or business that may also be affected is:

  • Medical alert devices (fall detectors, communicators, etc.)
  • Fire alarms
  • Inventory trackers
  • Smartwatches
  • E-readers (Kindles etc.)
  • GPS trackers

The 2G & 3G sunsets most likely will have the biggest effect on businesses using IoT solutions that rely on 2G/3G networks, like cars with tracking and response systems installed, for example. As many as 40% of Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (mPERS) devices that cover critical medical use cases still rely on 2G/3G networks, which will result in a wave of poor customer service if not switched over to a secure 4G/5G connection.

How do I prepare for the 2G & 3G sunsets?

While most end users and business owners may not need to worry about the 2G & 3G sunsets, it is useful to enquire about your devices to ensure all systems are up to date and support 4G/5G connectivity, as some technology may still rely on 2G/3G networks without you realising. Depending on how old the product is, you may be eligible for a hardware or software upgrade. Despite the 2G & 3G sunsets, low bandwidth solutions are still cost-effective and relevant for businesses and so MNOs are looking at next-generation LTE technologies such as LTE-M and NB-IoT to replace 2G/3G connectivity in these circumstances. Such technologies can help futureproof to avoid obsolescence for the years to come. It’s recommended to start enquiring about your devices now to see what connections might need replacing.

Although the 2G & 3G sunsets are likely to cause complications, it does also bring many benefits for both the end user and businesses. MNOs can transition to more high-capacity and energy-efficient networks, like 5G, so customers can benefit from faster connectivity speeds and lower latency. 5G is also said to be much better suited for machine-to-machine applications as it is designed to handle very large number of devices. The next generation of LTE technologies is said to offer improved battery life and low power consumption as well as overall lower costs. Overall, the 2G & 3G sunsets will make room for improved connectivity that is required today.

Discover how Cellhire can help transition your connectivity away from 2G & 3G. Whether it be updating your cellular service to a newer technology or upgrading your devices to continue operating after the switch off, get in touch with a Cellhire connectivity expert to find out more about Cellhire products and services.

Email: resellers@cellhire.com
Call: +44 (0)1904 610610
Visit: https://www.cellhire.co.uk/partners

UK News

Cellhire Growth Plans Accelerate with Investment from LDC

Craig Stillman

Global IoT and mobile data specialist Cellhire has secured a significant investment for a minority stake from leading mid-market private equity firm LDC.

The partnership with LDC will accelerate substantial growth plans at Cellhire and help the management team to expand its product and service offering and further develop its Internet of Things (IoT) proposition.

Headquartered in York, Cellhire offers high-speed and secure ways for businesses and partners to stay connected worldwide. It has built key partnerships with UK mobile network operators (MNOs) Vodafone, O2 and EE through long established ISP agreements. Internationally it has developed partnerships with more than 40 MNOs and rolled out its first Full MVNO on the Orange network in France. Recently it has worked with China Unicom at the Beijing Winter Olympics and has established a commercial agreement with Qatari MNO Ooredoo for the FIFA World Cup. Cellhire serves customers across multiple distribution channels including B2B, B2C, White Label, Partner and M2M/IoT wholesale airtimes from offices in the UK, Germany, France, Japan and the USA.

In recent years the business has invested in the development of Atlas™, its proprietary Billing and SIM Management Platform as well as expanding its M2M, IoT and eSIM capabilities. This has underpinned strong growth with turnover increasing by 42% between 2019 and 2022, from £19.1m to £27.1m. 

Tim Williams, Chairman, Cellhire

LDC is backing the existing management team, led by Chairman Tim Williams and Group CEO Martyn Stevens. The investment was led by Dan Smith, Partner and Head of Yorkshire at LDC, alongside Investment Director Will Scales and Investment Manager Ana-Maria Garaba.

Tim Williams, Chairman at Cellhire, said: “Our team has worked incredibly hard over the last couple of years to strengthen our range of products and services. With LDC’s support we’re now at an exciting stage of our journey to broaden our proposition through technology and service.”

Dan Smith, Partner and Head of Yorkshire at LDC, added: “We are excited to be backing Tim, Martyn and their team. They are at the forefront of innovation in the sector and we see there is huge scope to grow the business particularly as the business develops its IoT offering and the market opens up to a growing number of use cases. We’re looking forward to supporting them as they continue to expand their proposition across the world.”

Tim Williams was named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in 2020.

Cellhire was advised by KPMG, CiL and Addleshaw Goddard.

LDC was advised by Alantra, Squire Patton Boggs, Strategy& and Grant Thornton.

About Cellhire

Cellhire (www.cellhire.info) is a leading global telecoms provider of mobile communications, M2M/IoT services and data connectivity to enterprise clients and indirect partners worldwide.

Established in 1987, the group serves EMEA, Americas and APAC with offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan. Partnering with mobile network operators globally, Cellhire provides access to mobile connectivity at market-leading commercials to companies worldwide.

The company is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service which is underlined by its continued attainment of ISO 9001:2015, the internationally recognised quality standard. Cellhire is Investors in People (IIP) certified and won the highly coveted Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of mobile communication solutions for events around the world.

Since 2019, Cellhire has attained ISO 27001, the internationally recognised Information Security Management System Standard (ISMS), due to the implementation of information security management systems and best practices regarding information security.

About LDC (www.ldc.co.uk/pressrelease)

  1. LDC is the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
  2. LDC has committed to invest in at least 100 mid-market businesses over the next five years.
  3. LDC has a portfolio of 90 businesses across the UK, across a broad range of sectors including Construction & Property, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials, Retail & Consumer, TMT, Travel & Leisure and Support Services.
  4. LDC has a nationwide network of regional offices to provide a local presence to the businesses and communities it supports.
IoT, Partners

Is Cellular IoT Connectivity Really a Better Data Solution for your Customers?

Ella Dykes

Cellular IoT connectivity is the technology that connects physical objects to the internet using cellular mobile networks like Vodafone, O2 or EE, just as a regular SIM card does. An IoT SIM however is not a mobile broadband SIM, a regular mobile broadband SIM card only provides connectivity and does not include the additional functionality offered by IoT connectivity providers. IoT SIM cards can help improve and make it easier to scale your business by attracting more customers, reducing costs, and beating the competition. This blog will highlight some of the core benefits an IoT SIM card can offer and why this is a better data solution for your customers.

What Does an IoT SIM Card Offer?

Flexibility of Contracts, Costs and Coverage:

Regular Mobile Broadband SIMs have often proven difficult to manage at scale and deploy over many regions at a reasonable cost, IoT SIMs however provide much more flexibility and open possibilities such as:

  • Flexible Commercial Structures – Contract terms that accommodate your specific business needs and let you stay in control over your usage volume and billing date for example.
  • Local Multi-Network Access – A single IoT SIM can prioritise the strongest signal available by automatically switching between networks seamlessly on a global scale. No more switching SIMs for international roaming.
  • Flexibility Over Managing Your SIM Estate – Pause, resume and cancel a SIM or edit its associated terms remotely.

A New Level of Management & Control

Many IoT devices don’t provide screens that offer user interface settings, data usage or their network status and so most operators offer a type of SIM Management Portal instead. This can offer your business and customers real-time insights into the data volume used, connected networks, costs associated with devices and the ability to control and manage these options anywhere and at any time.

Access & Security:

Regular Mobile Broadband SIM cards assign dynamic IP addresses to a device, and this changes each time it may establish a connection making it very difficult to gain remote access to the SIM. IoT SIMs on the other hand can use private static IP addresses in combination with a VPN, public static IP addresses, and private APNs meaning a device can be accessed remotely wherever the location, once deployed. Log into your device to manage, change and execute commands while it’s out in the field. The majority of IoT SIMs are ruggedised, preventing the risk of failure in critical IoT solutions and with every device being kept separate, the data being transmitted is protected, with private APNs controlling network access and secure VPNs in place, your IoT devices will be safe against unauthorised access.

How Does This Benefit a Business?

IoT solutions can help businesses become more successful by:

Advancing Equipment Maintenance

  • IoT sensors in the manufacturing industry can help determine which equipment requires maintenance and what type of care it needs.
  • Machinery with built-in sensors can notify staff about breakdowns and delivery schedules, working to reduce risks and predict future issues.
  • The IoT SIMs implemented in such equipment could help save thousands of pounds in maintenance costs.

Making Employees More Productive

  • IoT smart sensors implemented in offices and manufacturing areas can collect employee data regarding performance, employee engagement and other activities.
  • This data can used by managers to effectively manage staff and distribute their time and effort more successfully to aid the working environment and efficiently use the working hours available.

Enhancing Security

  • IoT SIMs integrated into equipment means machinery can respond much quicker to any security risk as its reaction time is much faster than that of a human operator.
  • In addition to this, security systems learn from previous risks and become even more efficient in predicting and spotting a threat to the system.

Expanding Your Global Capability

  • With a new level of seamless coverage, use a single SIM for global IoT connectivity and gain access to new connectivity partnerships on a global scale.
  • Create or expand projects internationally to open new opportunities and maximise revenue, all while keeping your costs down through a single IoT solution.

Improving The Customer Experience

  • Implementing IoT data analytics can allow you to analyse data usage to gain a better understanding of customers’ behaviour, helping you to predict their future needs or actions.
  • This can aid marketing in terms of effective targeted advertising or promotional campaigns using the data gathered.

What Can Cellhire IoT Connectivity Solutions Provide You?

  • IoT proposition that meets the demands of critical IoT solutions
  • Global Network Capability – Single Network, Multi-Network, International & Roaming.
  • SIM Management Portal – Network agnostic, reporting, automation & control white label capabilities.
  • Security – Secure and resilient networks with resilient DVPN providing private & public static IP
  • Flexible Commercials – Flexible commercial structure designed for IoT use cases including Pooled, Individual, Bundles & Cellhire Flex to deliver increased margin opportunities
  • IoT Grade SIM – Ruggedised IoT SIM, preventing the risk of failure in critical IoT solutions
  • Dedicated Support – Sales & Technical Support Teams

IoT Connectivity solutions can help your business become more efficient and scalable by attracting more customers, reducing your costs and winning further competition in the industry. The additional functionality and flexibility provided by an IoT SIM card can future-proof your business enabling it to flourish, while businesses that neglect to implement innovative connectivity face a risk of losing customers and profits. Don’t wait around, enquire about becoming an Cellhire IoT Connectivity Solutions Partner today.

Email: resellers@cellhire.com
Call: +44 (0)1904 610610
Visit: https://www.cellhire.co.uk/partners

IoT, Partners

What are the Advantages of Cellular IoT Connectivity?

Ella Dykes

IoT requires consistent connectivity to construct networks and share data. Cellular IoT is one connectivity option, which operates in the licensed spectrum. This means it can only be used when assigned exclusively to operators for independent usage, ensuring reliability through a relatively consistent infrastructure. Cellular connectivity solutions are generally provided by larger operators who have access to licensed spectrum, as this comes at a higher cost. However, the global cellular standards means that IoT hardware is more easily obtained, the devices operational lifetime is generally much longer, and it’s virtually guaranteed by the network operators to be more reliable than other connectivity options. So, what are the core advantages of cellular IoT connectivity?

Global Coverage

The most reliable and logical connection option is cellular connectivity, with cellular towers already in place across the world and network gateways supporting remote deployments, cellular IoT connectivity can provide nearly ubiquitous global coverage. The extensive coverage already in place allows the management of devices being deployed in different areas of the world, which is key for IoT projects where accessing the data is essential. In most cases, you’ll be able to deploy as many devices to wherever they are needed and start operating straight away. Cellular roaming poses another option if you’re moving between regions or providing a solution in an unknown area, your provider will be able to facilitate seamless connectivity through a multi-network SIM. As 5G becomes more accessible across the world, cellular becomes a great solution for larger scale IoT deployments and will improve the overall speed and responsiveness of cellular connectivity.

Usability

Cellular is a top favourite among IoT connectivity solutions down to the increasing demand for extensive network coverage areas and low power consuming devices. The simplicity of deployment is a core advantage of cellular connectivity, deploy your device, activate your SIM to connect to your chosen network and you are all set. This SIM based connectivity disregards the need to set up to time consuming and complicated hardwired networks. With multi IoT device support, you can support millions of IoT devices through one use case. Cellular IoT connections are made up of several subcategories, meaning you can select the one that matches your data transmission needs and avoid paying for the most expensive solution. If your device doesn’t require constant connectivity and immediate reaction time, then you can choose a more affordable and suitable option for you. Emerging low power networks will help deliver the connectivity for the proliferation of devices & sensors and other cellular technologies like eSIM are quickly gaining popularity in the market, providing a flexible way to remotely connect devices throughout their lifetime, cost effectively, without needing a physical SIM card.

Reliability

As cellular operates in the licensed spectrum, the performance and reliability of communication is guaranteed. Most IoT SIM cards provided for IoT devices can switch between network operators, unlike consumer SIMs, automatically connecting to the strongest signal available to ensure consistent connectivity and minimised downtime. Technicians can remotely track interlinked devices, they are able to connect, disconnect and troubleshoot wherever they may be located, rather than manually fixing the systems. This minimises operational inefficiencies and reduces field service costs significantly. Cellular IoT connectivity also has a much greater battery life, cellular sensors transmit great volumes of data on a global scale, without losing considerable battery power by switching off the receiving section of the cellular module for a fraction of a second. 5G IoT SIM cards even have the ability to remove fixed line through its QoS.

Security

Security is another great advantage cellular connectivity holds over other solutions. As cellular networks use SIM cards for authentication, it proves difficult to hoax the identify of a device. With every device being kept separate, the data being transmitted is protected, with private APNs controlling network access and secure VPNs in place, your IoT devices will be safe against unauthorised access. Combining this level of security with a properly managed connectivity service will give you visibility and control that other connectivity options cannot give.

If you want to find out more about how cellular IoT connectivity could support your projects, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us on our details below:

Visit: https://www.cellhire.co.uk/iot
Email: resellers@cellhire.com
Call: +44 (0)1904 610610

IoT, Partners, UK News

Cellhire wins Best IoT Application Award at the Mobile News Awards 2022

Craig Stillman

British mobile telecoms specialist Cellhire plc won the Best IoT Application Award for its NHS Covid-19 project at the prestigious Mobile News Awards 2022, held on 19th May at InterContinental London Park Lane.

In addition, Cellhire received commendations for the Best Airtime Partner Portal and the Best Covid Response Initiative categories.

Matt Bennett, Cellhire UK Managing Director, right, with UK team

The Best IoT Application Award recognises the company for its IoT data connectivity solution for the ongoing nationwide NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme. The programme has seen Cellhire provide UK and multi-network mobile data connections to over 2500 Covid-19 NHS England vaccination sites, enabling them to update patient records in real-time.

The Best Airtime Partner Portal Commendation recognises the company for its inhouse “Atlas SIM Management Portal”, which provides a single, secure website for partners to access their entire SIM base from 40 global mobile networks supplied by Cellhire. Partners are not limited to only UK MNOs O2, Vodafone and EE, like many competitor portals. Partners can manage International MNOs, UK and Global IoT Airtimes, and provision SIMs and eSIMs that have multi-IMSI functionality.

Running since 1995, the Mobile News Awards is the UK mobile channel’s biggest awards event judged by impartial, independent experts.

Cellhire UK Managing Director, Matt Bennett says “I am extremely proud of the Cellhire team, particularly for its at times round-the-clock dedication to the rollout and ongoing support of the mobile data connectivity part of the vaccine programme – and the success Cellhire has achieved at the Mobile News Awards.

“Covid-19 has been the single greatest public health emergency in the history of the NHS and it’s a great honour for Cellhire to be part of the backbone of the vaccine programme. The solutions that we are providing are still helping to manage the vaccination of millions of people as quickly as possible.

“The ability Cellhire has to deliver multi-network secure mobile data, quickly and at scale, is thanks to its strong global network partnerships and its robust and resilient team.

“As a direct partner of Vodafone, O2 and EE, Cellhire is keen to expand its partnerships in the channel and to that end we are actively seeking additional resellers for our partner programme,” says Bennett. “These resellers would typically want a comms partner with a track record in providing voice, data and IoT via multiple direct network solutions that are competitive, flexible and innovative and all supported by our market-leading portal.”

If you would like to partner with an award-winning company to further boost your revenue opportunities through mobile sales, including Voice & Data, M2M and IoT, then Cellhire is the perfect partner for you. Please contact our channel-focused team at resellers@cellhire.com or visit www.cellhire.co.uk/partners

About Cellhire

Cellhire (www.cellhire.info) is a leading global telecoms provider of mobile communications, M2M and IoT services and data connectivity to enterprise clients and indirect partners worldwide.

Established in 1987, the group serves EMEA, Americas and APAC with offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan. Partnering with mobile network operators globally, Cellhire provides access to mobile connectivity at market-leading commercials to companies worldwide.

The company is committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service which is underlined by its continued attainment of ISO 9001:2015, the internationally recognised quality standard. Cellhire is Investors in People (IIP) certified and won the highly coveted Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of mobile communication solutions for events around the world.

Since 2019, Cellhire has attained ISO 27001, the internationally recognised Information Security Management System Standard (ISMS), due to the implementation of information security management systems and best practices regarding information security.