ResourcesIoT Glossary Filter by topic Filter by Sector Consumer Energy & Utilities Health ISPs & MSPs IT & Enterprise OEM/Industrial 4.0 Public Sector Retail Smart City Transport and Logistics eUICC & eSIM 5G NB-IoT LTE-M IoT Connectivity IoT Security SIMPro Mapping Sunset IoT Glossary 12th July 2022 What is 2G?The second generation of wireless telecommunications networks. Find out what the future holds for 2G, and how these legacy 2G networks compare to more recent solutions for M2M and IoT connectivity. IoT Glossary 27th June 2023 What is 3G?3G was the third generation of mobile technology, and opened the door to data-intensive applications in a range of industries. IoT Glossary 11th June 2021 What is 4G?4G is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology, and it opened the doors to a number of solutions, including IoT focussed variants such as LTE Cat M, LTE Cat NB and LTE Cat 1. IoT Glossary 27th June 2022 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) vs 5G Standalone5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA) and 5G Standalone describe the two types of architecture for fifth generation (5G) networks. IoT Glossary 26th January 2022 What is an APN?An Access Point Name is a name for a link and point of entry between a mobile network and either the public internet or private network. IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is CAT-1?LTE Category 1 (CAT-1) is a medium speed wireless communication standard specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) use cases. IoT Glossary 10th December 2021 What is edge computing?Edge computing seeks to place data processing capabilities as close as possible to the exact point they are needed. IoT Glossary 29th June 2022 What is an eSIM bootstrap profile?A bootstrap profile provides an eSIM with its default credentials for connecting to a mobile network so that it can enable a connection for devices. IoT Glossary 21st September 2021 What is eUICC?Embedded UICC (eUICC) is a specific type of UICC that enables a single SIM to host multiple profiles. IoT Glossary 26th January 2022 What is a fixed IP SIM card?A fixed IP SIM card has its own unique IP address, so when a device with a fixed IP SIM connects to a network, its address stays the same. IoT Glossary 4th June 2021 What is GPRS?General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an evolved second-generation cellular network protocol. IoT Glossary 13th June 2023 What is GSM?GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) refers to the technology behind 2G networks. IoT Glossary 4th June 2021 What is a HLR?Home Location Register (HLR) is a database for managing subscribers on 2G & 3G networks. IoT Glossary What is HSDPA?High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) boosted what’s possible on the 3G network. IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is ICCID?An ICCID is a one-of-a-kind string of 18 to 22 digits that identifies a SIM card. IoT Glossary 22nd September 2021 What is IMSI?An IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identifier) is a string of digits that forms an important part of a SIM profile. Learn more here. IoT Glossary 11th June 2021 What is Industry 4.0?Industry 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution, and has given rise to the smart factory. IoT Glossary 29th June 2022 What is IoT energy management: eDRX vs PSM?eDRX and PSM: two features designed to minimise power usage and extend battery life for devices using LPWA technologies such as NB-IoT and LTE-M. IoT Glossary 27th June 2022 What is IoT SAFE?Developed by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications) and the SIMAlliance, IoT SAFE is an interoperable, industry-wide security standard. IoT Glossary 26th January 2022 What is IPsec?Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a set of rules designed to ensure secure communication between devices across any public network. IoT Glossary 1st November 2021 What is iSIM?An integrated SIM (iSIM), is when the SIM operating system is incorporated directly onto a device’s permanent computing hardware. IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is L2TP?Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol (L2TP) is a networking protocol used for establishing virtual private network (VPN) connections. IoT Glossary What is LoRaWAN?Long Range Wide Area Network is an open networking protocol that enables devices to communicate using Long Range wireless technology. IoT Glossary 27th October 2021 What is LTE connectivity?Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G wireless broadband standard, designed to make it easier to deploy IoT and M2M devices efficiently. IoT Glossary 21st September 2021 What is an M2M SIM Card?M2M SIM cards enable devices to perform actions and exchange information without the need for human input. IoT Glossary 12th July 2022 What are MNOs?Discover more about MNOs, the services they offer, how they differ from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and how these various services can support your IoT and M2M strategies. IoT Glossary 4th June 2021 What is a MSISDN?Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) is crucial in ensuring secure connectivity between IoT components. IoT Glossary 27th October 2021 What is a multi-SIM?Multi-SIM technology makes it much easier to achieve constant connectivity and for devices to switch between regional operators. IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is OpenVPN?OpenVPN is one of the most popular methods for securing private networks. IoT Glossary 10th December 2021 What is OTA?Over-the-air (OTA) describes the ability to download applications, services and configurations across a cellular or wireless network. IoT Glossary 28th October 2021 What is SD-WAN?A software-defined wide area network is a method of architecture that creates a virtualised network overlay connected to a central one. IoT Glossary 9th June 2021 What are SIM cards?SIM cards are essential for a number of industries, including transport and logistics. IoT Glossary 1st November 2021 What are SIM form factors?SIMs are manufactured in a range of five standardised sizes, these are known as form factors. Find out more... IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is a SSL VPN?SSL VPN refers to a VPN that uses a software protocol, Secure Sockets Layer. It allows remote users to securely access corporate networks. IoT Glossary 29th June 2022 What is Subscription Management Secure Routing: what is SM-SR?SM-SR securely delivers encrypted operator credentials to a SIM and then remotely manages the SIM thereafter. Learn more here. IoT Glossary 4th February 2022 What is UMTS?Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) refers to a group of radio technologies associated with the 3G cellular networks. IoT Glossary 12th July 2022 What is USSD?USSD is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) messaging protocol most commonly used for sending short commands and requests, without incurring connection or service charges.
What is 2G?The second generation of wireless telecommunications networks. Find out what the future holds for 2G, and how these legacy 2G networks compare to more recent solutions for M2M and IoT connectivity.
What is 3G?3G was the third generation of mobile technology, and opened the door to data-intensive applications in a range of industries.
What is 4G?4G is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology, and it opened the doors to a number of solutions, including IoT focussed variants such as LTE Cat M, LTE Cat NB and LTE Cat 1.
5G Non-Standalone (NSA) vs 5G Standalone5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA) and 5G Standalone describe the two types of architecture for fifth generation (5G) networks.
What is an APN?An Access Point Name is a name for a link and point of entry between a mobile network and either the public internet or private network.
What is CAT-1?LTE Category 1 (CAT-1) is a medium speed wireless communication standard specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) use cases.
What is edge computing?Edge computing seeks to place data processing capabilities as close as possible to the exact point they are needed.
What is an eSIM bootstrap profile?A bootstrap profile provides an eSIM with its default credentials for connecting to a mobile network so that it can enable a connection for devices.
What is eUICC?Embedded UICC (eUICC) is a specific type of UICC that enables a single SIM to host multiple profiles.
What is a fixed IP SIM card?A fixed IP SIM card has its own unique IP address, so when a device with a fixed IP SIM connects to a network, its address stays the same.
What is GPRS?General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an evolved second-generation cellular network protocol.
What is GSM?GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) refers to the technology behind 2G networks.
What is a HLR?Home Location Register (HLR) is a database for managing subscribers on 2G & 3G networks.
What is IMSI?An IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identifier) is a string of digits that forms an important part of a SIM profile. Learn more here.
What is Industry 4.0?Industry 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution, and has given rise to the smart factory.
What is IoT energy management: eDRX vs PSM?eDRX and PSM: two features designed to minimise power usage and extend battery life for devices using LPWA technologies such as NB-IoT and LTE-M.
What is IoT SAFE?Developed by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications) and the SIMAlliance, IoT SAFE is an interoperable, industry-wide security standard.
What is IPsec?Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a set of rules designed to ensure secure communication between devices across any public network.
What is iSIM?An integrated SIM (iSIM), is when the SIM operating system is incorporated directly onto a device’s permanent computing hardware.
What is L2TP?Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol (L2TP) is a networking protocol used for establishing virtual private network (VPN) connections.
What is LoRaWAN?Long Range Wide Area Network is an open networking protocol that enables devices to communicate using Long Range wireless technology.
What is LTE connectivity?Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G wireless broadband standard, designed to make it easier to deploy IoT and M2M devices efficiently.
What is an M2M SIM Card?M2M SIM cards enable devices to perform actions and exchange information without the need for human input.
What are MNOs?Discover more about MNOs, the services they offer, how they differ from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and how these various services can support your IoT and M2M strategies.
What is a MSISDN?Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) is crucial in ensuring secure connectivity between IoT components.
What is a multi-SIM?Multi-SIM technology makes it much easier to achieve constant connectivity and for devices to switch between regional operators.
What is OTA?Over-the-air (OTA) describes the ability to download applications, services and configurations across a cellular or wireless network.
What is SD-WAN?A software-defined wide area network is a method of architecture that creates a virtualised network overlay connected to a central one.
What are SIM cards?SIM cards are essential for a number of industries, including transport and logistics.
What are SIM form factors?SIMs are manufactured in a range of five standardised sizes, these are known as form factors. Find out more...
What is a SSL VPN?SSL VPN refers to a VPN that uses a software protocol, Secure Sockets Layer. It allows remote users to securely access corporate networks.
What is Subscription Management Secure Routing: what is SM-SR?SM-SR securely delivers encrypted operator credentials to a SIM and then remotely manages the SIM thereafter. Learn more here.
What is UMTS?Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) refers to a group of radio technologies associated with the 3G cellular networks.
What is USSD?USSD is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) messaging protocol most commonly used for sending short commands and requests, without incurring connection or service charges.