Which Cellular Service for Telit Modules?

Wireless & IoT
1

Question for you folks in the US with Telit modules: which cellular service do you use/recommend? I need GPRS/data only, no voice.

What’s the cheapest and/or best way to get one of these puppies online?

Thanks!

2

You need a provider that uses GSM. The major carriers are AT&T/Cingular and T_Mobile. Sprint & Verizon use CDMA.

AT&T/Cingular has a ‘data-only’ plan targeted at PC/laptop users that use a cellular modem card http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscen … inkLoc=BDY.

T-Mobile also has some data-only plans :http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell … ernet+Only

These can get pretty expensive. An alternative is to get a “Prepaid Plan” -while neither of those carriers have a prepaid data-only plan, if managed properly you may pay less on a PrePaid plan than on a contract plan. For example, on AT&T/Cingular’s GoPhone plan you can ‘buy’ data in various units. AT&T currently has a “Data Feature” package where you can get 1MB of data for $4.99, or 100MB for $19.99. The available plans seem to change frequently. The downside is that once you ‘buy’ data, you have to use it within 30 days - or buy more data to extend your time.

On T-Mobile’s prepaid plan you can transfer unlimited amounts of data for $1.00 per day.

You’ll need a SIM Card for whichever the carrier you choose. There are a few ways you can obtain one:

1- Purchase a ‘replacement’ SIM card directly from the carrier. This can be pretty expensive - AT&T charges around $30 for one.

2- Buy a “Pre-Paid” phone. These will come with a SIM card and can be pretty inexpensive depending on where you get them. For example, I’ve seen deals at Walmart where you can get a phone (w/SIM card) and $10 free air time for as little as $14.95.

3 - Buy a SIM card from a third-party. There are many places on the Internet where you can buy SIM cards.

3

Hey there,

I work for Symmetry Electronics and we are a franchised distributor for Telit. I worked with some of the engineers at Telit and we put together a pdf that shows some of the MVNOs that resell airspace.

http://www.semiconductorstore.com/pdf/n … uccess.pdf

The document also lays out the certification process for a GSM/GPRS design and some best design practices.

If you want to know more, PM me and I’ll be glad to help.

-B