Quick answer
A SIM card connects an audio-enabled GPS tracker to the cellular network, letting it send location data and stream audio to the Logistimatics platform. Audio uses far more data than location reports. Mobile-200 and Car Charger units ordered before January 27, 2023 needed a SIM upgrade to keep audio, and 2G or 3G devices cannot connect at all.
Let’s learn how your device works behind the scenes! We’re here to provide additional insight and tell you about some upcoming changes that will improve the quality of your audio-enabled device experience.
It’s important to understand the way that SIM cards work. Then, we’ll walk through some changes to Logistimatics’ audio-enabled devices and how this impacts you.
What is a SIM Card?
A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is a small, removable computer chip that is used to connect to a cellular network in order to send and receive data to our platform. It is a crucial component of a mobile phone or cellular device, and it is the key that allows you leverage audio functionality on a Logistimatics audio-enabled device) and access mobile data.
When you insert the SIM card into a device, the device reads the information stored on the SIM card and uses it to connect to the cellular network. The SIM card then works as a unique identifier for the user, allowing the cellular network to identify the user’s device and authenticate them to access the network services.
SIM cards allow users to access mobile networks anywhere in the world, provided they have compatible devices and networks.
SIM Card Deprecation
Your device connects to Logistimatics via cell phone networks and uses a SIM card to connect to these networks. Due to changes from some of our connectivity partners, on June 30, 2023, audio usage will no longer be supported on your Mobile-200 or Car Charger.
We will be reaching-out via email to all customers impacted by this change. If you do not use audio, your device will continue to perform as expected.
If you do use audio, we’ll be providing a SIM upgrade kit along with 2 hours of free audio. This will enable you to continue using your Logistimatics tracker with audio.
This makes it really important to understand when you need to complete your SIM swap, so you can plan ahead.
, Current SIM for Audio Deprecation: June 30, 2023
, Install your new SIM prior to this date to continue to use audio.
. Your device will continue to report location data, but don’t delay replacing the SIM to continue to be audio-enabled.
, Emails to current customers: April 26, 2023
. This will contain a link to a form where you can provide the mailing address where we can ship your SIM.
. You will need to order your 2 hours of free audio using the promo code provided in the email.
Audio-Enabled Device Users: What This Means For You
The steps you need to follow will depend on your purchase date and method; in some cases, you may not need to do anything because your SIM is already updated. In others, you’ll want to do a few simple steps and your audio functionality will continue as usual.
, If you purchased your device from Logistimatics.com: any order placed after January 27, 2023 already contains new SIMs that will continue to support audio.
, If you ordered from Amazon.com in 2023, your device already contains new SIMs that will continue to support audio.
, If you ordered your device prior to January 27, 2023 from any retailer, you will need to upgrade your SIM.
Not sure? Contact us and we can help! Leverage our support chat feature at the bottom right of the Logistimatics.com website. Or, you can open a support ticket to have a skilled Logistimatics customer support team member respond to you within 1 business day.
Devices ordered before that date will no longer be able to use audio hours if you keep using the device with the pre-installed SIM card (this came inside your device when it was shipped to you). In order to continue using the audio features of your audio-enabled tracking device, you will need to leverage a new SIM card and should receive this in the mail in April 2023.
We’re also here to help you through this transition. If you aren’t sure whether or not your devices are able to leverage audio, just reach out to us to create a support ticket or use our chat tool at the bottom right of the page and we can inform you. Once you know which era your devices are designed for, it’s easy to make a plan to swap your SIM card out, so you can continue to leverage audio functionality.If you have any questions regarding this transition, your old devices, or how to step through swapping-out your SIM, ask us today. If you are a business or have a fleet of old devices in need of replacement, our client success team can get you started. Contact the team through our website chat feature to get the support you need.
Once the SIM side is clear, the remaining step is getting the device onto the network. See our GPS tracker activation guide.
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What Telematics SIM Cards Are and How They Work
A telematics SIM is the SIM inside a tracker or other connected machine that lets it authenticate on a cellular network and send data, such as location reports, to a tracking platform. It does the same job as the SIM in a phone; what differs is the device it lives in and the network it is built for.
A SIM provides a secure way to authenticate a device onto a network. Many connected devices now use an embedded SIM, or eSIM, which is downloaded into a secure element built permanently into the device instead of being inserted as a card. The GSMA describes embedded SIM as a vital enabler for machine-to-machine connections, and its eSIM IoT specification is designed for devices with constrained networks or no user interface.
Telematics devices often connect over networks designed for machines. LTE-M and NB-IoT are two complementary 3GPP standards for low power wide area IoT in licensed spectrum, built for low data rates, long battery life and coverage in hard-to-reach places. That fits tracking well, since a location report is only a few bytes, while audio is a continuous stream that needs more data and a stronger signal.
On Logistimatics trackers the SIM is built in, and the network fees are included in the subscription along with the app and platform. The network generation matters too: with 2G and 3G retired in the US, a tracker that depends on them can no longer connect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did my older tracker stop working even though I still pay for it?
Almost certainly network shutdown rather than a billing problem. American carriers have retired 2G and 3G, and a device built for those networks cannot connect once they are switched off. The subscription remains valid; the radio simply has nothing to talk to.
Can I put my own SIM card in a GPS tracker?
Some devices accept a third-party SIM, many do not, and even where it is physically possible the tracker usually needs specific network settings to report correctly. Devices sold with a managed plan are configured to work out of the box, which is what most people are actually paying for.
Does audio streaming use more data than location tracking?
Considerably more. A location report is a few bytes; audio is a continuous stream. That is why audio-enabled devices are more sensitive to both data allowance and signal quality than a tracker that only reports position.
How do I know which network generation my device uses?
It is normally printed on the device or in its listing, look for 4G, LTE or 5G. If a device is more than a few years old and does not say, assume it may be 3G and check with the manufacturer before relying on it.
Do Mobile-200 trackers bought in 2023 need a new SIM for audio?
No. Any order placed on Logistimatics.com after January 27, 2023, and devices ordered from Amazon in 2023, already contain new SIMs that support audio. Devices ordered from any retailer before January 27, 2023 need a SIM upgrade. If you are unsure, use the support chat on Logistimatics.com or open a support ticket.
What happens if I keep using the old SIM in my audio tracker?
The device will continue to report location data, but it will no longer be able to use audio hours. To keep the audio features of a Mobile-200 or Car Charger, install the new SIM card. If you do not use audio at all, the device continues to perform as expected with its original SIM.
