Scale PoS device distribution with multi-carrier SIMs

Point of Sale (PoS) device vendors have historically worked with incumbent carriers for cellular connectivity.

But that’s not ideal when it comes to scaling distribution. As a vendor, you may encounter network coverage issues, roaming fees, rigid pricing plans, and cumbersome processes. To serve customers in new markets, vendors must consider another solution: multi-carrier data SIM cards.

They’re the new generation of Mobile Point of Sale (mPOS), without the security downsides. Convenient and reliable, multi-carrier SIMs are the secret to distributing devices at scale. Here, we’ll explore the benefits of partnering with a single IoT connectivity provider for global data coverage.

Easily expand to global markets

Your SIM card probably won’t work overseas without your carrier’s roaming fees. The alternative is to build new relationships with new carriers in new markets and obtain new SIM cards. After all that work, you end up with two SKUs for one device, in different markets.

Sound tedious? You can bypass that complexity with the Telnyx IoT SIM card. Our SIMs offer global connectivity with coverage in 180+ countries, and simple, zone-based, pay-as-you-go prices.

Provide wider coverage in existing locations

If you're using single-tenant SIMs from an incumbent carrier, coverage may be limited. Your customers in low-coverage areas may experience dropouts that lead to service disruptions and lost sales. A competing carrier may improve coverage, but switching network providers involves establishing a relationship and shipping new PoS devices with updated SIM cards. Instead of focusing on scaling, you’re back to dealing with the multi-SKU problem.

Telnyx eliminates these issues with multi-carrier SIMs that intelligently switch networks to ensure continuous coverage. With partners in the United States, Canada, and 180+ global markets, we connect you to the best available network so your customers are always covered.

Differences between single-carrier and multi-carrier SIM cards

<tr>
  <th>Single-carrier SIMs</th>
  <th>Multi-carrier SIMs</th>
</tr>

</thead>

<tr>
  <td>May pay roaming fees for global connectivity</td>
  <td>Global connectivity on a single SIM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
  <td>Experience dropouts in low coverage areas</td>
  <td>Intelligently switch networks to ensure continuous cellular coverage</td>
</tr>
<tr>
  <td>Single carrier SIMs typically have high-volume data plans and fixed monthly pricing; this often results in paying for data you don’t use </td>
  <td>Some multi-carrier SIMs (like Telnyx’s) use pay-as-you-go pricing so you only pay for what you use</td>

</tr>

</tbody> </table>

Manage only one carrier relationship

Let’s say you’ve sourced SIM cards for each country in which you operate. You’ve assembled PoS devices and shipped them to their respective locations. In addition to monitoring SKUs in different locations, you’re now responsible for managing multiple carrier relationships. This can be burdensome and time-consuming when renewing contracts, negotiating pricing, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. As you expand into new regions, the burdens only multiply.

With Telnyx SIM cards, you manage one relationship, not dozens. We maintain direct-to-carrier connections in 180+ countries so you can ship one PoS device with one SIM.

Our intuitive Mission Control Portal is a comprehensive management platform that allows you to activate and deactivate SIM cards, define network preferences, set data limits, and automate usage alerts. Our monitoring tools enable fast troubleshooting so your team can solve incidents quickly and smoothly. You can also access comprehensive live reports to optimize device performance.

Pay-as-you-go pricing

Scaling is more than overseeing coverage expansion and carrier relationships. It’s also about minimizing costs. Consumer-focused, high-volume, data plans hinder scaling by locking customers into fixed monthly prices. PoS activity consumes a small amount data (~10kB / transaction), and customers often end up paying for data they don’t use. The solution? Choose a SIM card with simple pay-as-you-go pricing so you only pay for what you use.

Telnyx pricing is made for IoT applications, not consumer web use. We offer per-megabyte billing and zone-based pricing across 180+ countries. Plus, we support standby mode so you can insert SIMs into your devices and save money while they’re turned off. Once your devices are turned on, your SIMs automatically activate without any additional action.

Scale globally with Telnyx IoT SIM cards

Global connectivity from one dynamic IoT SIM card is critical in today’s market. Vendors must redefine connectivity as demand increases for flexible PoS devices. Telnyx IoT SIM cards allow vendors scale globally while keeping carrier operations lean.

With cross-border connectivity, 650+ carrier relationships, management platform, and API tools, PoS device vendors can scale their operations globally without breaking the bank.

Ready to scale your PoS device distribution? Our experts can help you scale the right way, and build new capabilities to support your goals. Contact a member of our team today.

FAQ

What is a multi-carrier SIM card? A multi-carrier SIM card is a SIM or eSIM profile that can authenticate with more than one mobile network operator to maintain connectivity. It uses technologies like multi-IMSI or eUICC to select the best available network based on policy and signal conditions.

Is there a SIM card that uses multiple networks? Yes, multi-carrier or global IoT SIMs attach to different networks in a country or region to avoid single-carrier outages. They evaluate available radio access networks and switch automatically when thresholds for signal quality, latency, or cost are met.

What is the difference between an M2M SIM and a normal SIM? M2M or IoT SIMs are engineered for devices, with industrial form factors, longer lifecycles, and remote provisioning and control. They prioritize data and device-to-cloud workflows and may use SMS or rich media like MMS messaging differently than consumer smartphone plans.

What is a multi-SIM card used for? Organizations use multi-carrier SIMs for resilient connectivity in IoT, fleet tracking, point-of-sale, and remote monitoring where a single network is unreliable. They also enable use cases like photo confirmations or receipts via programmatic MMS when devices need to send images alongside data.

How do multi-carrier SIMs choose the best network? The SIM or device scans allowed PLMNs, compares signal strength, throughput, and policy rules, then attaches to the preferred operator. Some solutions perform multi-IMSI swaps or eUICC profile changes to steer to a network that meets defined performance or compliance criteria.

Do multi-carrier SIMs support SMS and MMS? Yes, they support SMS across attached networks and MMS where device settings, APN configuration, and the carrier enable media transport. The difference in payload and delivery paths between SMS vs MMS can affect device configuration and plan selection.

Are multi-carrier SIMs the same as eSIMs? No, eSIM refers to the embedded, remotely provisioned SIM hardware, while multi-carrier describes the ability to use more than one network through multi-IMSI or multiple profiles. You can have a multi-carrier capability on either a physical SIM or an eSIM, and the choice does not change supported messaging types or data services.