The Internet of Things spans dozens of competing standards, form factors, and protocols. This guide cuts through the noise — covering the connectivity standards, SIM architectures, and networking technologies that actually matter for IoT deployments, with clear comparisons and practical guidance on when to use each.
Uncategorized
22.04.2026
IoT Technology Explained
IoT Connectivity Standards
If you’re specifying hardware or evaluating connectivity for an IoT deployment, start here. These are the standards that will appear in every module datasheet and network coverage map
Cellular LPWAN
Low-power cellular technologies designed for devices that send small amounts of data infrequently over long distances, with excellent battery life and deep indoor coverage.
also known as: cat-M1
High-bandwidth cellular
Full cellular network technologies designed for high data speeds and low latency, when IoT devices need to transmit large amounts of data or support advanced applications.
also known as: Redcap
Mid-band cellular IoT
Cellular connectivity that balances coverage, power consumption, and data throughput, making it suitable for mobile or moderately data-intensive IoT applications.
also known as: Cat1-bis
Non-cellular LPWAN
Low-power wide-area networks that operate independently of cellular carriers, typically used for low-cost, long-range IoT deployments with small data payloads.
Compare the technologies
Popular comparisons
All comparisons
Click the links on the table to learn more
| NB-IoT | LTE-M | LTE Cat-1 aka Cat1-bis | 4G | 5G aka Redcap | LoRaWAN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NB-IoT | – | NB-IoT vs NB-IoT | NB-IoT vs LTE Cat-1 | NB-IoT vs 4G | NB-IoT vs 5G | NB-IoT vs LoRaWAN |
| LTE-M | – | LTE-M vs LTE Cat-1 | LTE-M vs 4G | LTE-M vs 5G | LTE-M vs LoRaWAN | |
| LTE Cat-1 aka Cat1-bis | – | LTE Cat-1 vs 4G | LTE Cat-1 vs 5G | LTE Cat-1 vs LoRaWAN | ||
| 4G | – | 4G vs 5G | 4G vs LoRaWAN | |||
| 5G | – | 5G vs LoRaWAN | ||||
| LoRaWAN | – |
SIM Form Factors
The SIM form factor you choose affects hardware design, supply chain, and how you manage connectivity at scale. What works for a smartphone rarely works for an IoT deployment.
Physical SIM Cards
Traditional removable SIM card sin four sizes (Full, Mini, Micro, Nano). Functionally identical, but impractical for sealed or hard-to-reach IoT deployments.
Full Size SIM
also known as: 1FF
Mini-SIM
also known as: 2FF
Micro SIM
also known as: 3FF
Nano SIM
also known as: 4FF
Embedded SIM Cards
SIM chips permanently installed during manufacture — no tray, no swapping. eSIM (MFF2) is a separate soldered component; iSIM goes further, integrating the SIM directly into the main processor.
SoftSIMs
SIM functionality implemented entirely in software, with no dedicated hardware component. Stores credentials in a secure software enclave on the device’s existing processor.
Comparing Common IoT SIM Form Factors
Popular comparisons
eSIM vs EUICC
eSIM and eUICC are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. eUICC is the chip standard that makes eSIM possible — you don’t choose between them, you need both.
eSIM Provisioning Standards
The GSMA specifications that govern how operator profiles are remotely downloaded and managed on eSIMs. Different standards exist for different deployment contexts.
M2M (SGP.02)
The original eSIM standard, designed for machine-to-machine deployments. Profile switching is managed server-side by the operator — the device has no user interaction. Still widely deployed in industrial IoT.
Consumer (SGP.22)
Introduced user-initiated profile management, allowing devices to switch operators without a physical SIM swap. Familiar from smartphones but increasingly relevant for IoT devices that need flexible connectivity.
IoT (SGP.32)
The newest standard, designed specifically for constrained IoT devices — low power, intermittently connected, no display or user interface. Enables remote profile management without the device needing to be always-on.
Comparing eSIM Provisioning
Popular comparisons
IoT SIM vs Consumer SIM
A consumer SIM is designed for a single user switching between a handful of operators. An IoT SIM is built for scale — bulk management, extended temperature ranges, longer product lifecycles, and remote profile switching without physical access to the device.
APN & VPN Network Access
How your IoT devices connect to your private network determines your security posture, data routing, and operational control. The choice between APN and VPN configurations has real implications at scale.
APN (Access Point Name)
The gateway between a cellular network and the internet or a private network. Every SIM has an APN — the question for IoT deployments is whether you use a shared public APN or a dedicated private one.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
An encrypted tunnel that secures data between your devices and your infrastructure, regardless of the underlying network. Common in IoT deployments where devices use public APNs but need secure data transmission.
APN vs VPN
These aren’t alternatives — they operate at different layers. A private APN controls where your traffic is routed; a VPN encrypts it. Many deployments use both.
Common Network Access Comparisons
Popular comparisons
Mobile Network Operators
Understanding how the mobile operator ecosystem is structured helps you make better decisions about IoT connectivity — who you’re actually buying from, and what that means for coverage, control, and cost.
MNO (Mobile Network Operator)
Operators who own and run their own physical network infrastructure — towers, spectrum, and core network. The networks your IoT SIMs ultimately connect through, regardless of who you buy connectivity from.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator)
Operators who lease network capacity from MNOs and resell it, often with added services or specialisation. Most IoT connectivity providers — including Onomondo — operate as MVNOs, which enables multi-network SIMs and platform-level control.
What about MVNEs?
MVNO vs MVNE An MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) provides the infrastructure and backend that MVNOs run on — they’re not a connectivity provider you’d buy from directly, but they sit behind many IoT SIM offerings
Common Mobile Operator Comparisons
Popular comparisons