SIM providers - Additional integrations

[Chaoscontrol]

Hi there, I just discovered this amazing project existed, and I'm down to set this up for my Leaf 2015. Thank you SO much. So excited to try it. I have plans of building an addon to set up the server as an add-on for Home Assistant too, and later an integration maybe.

Anyway, I'm curious about finding the best/cheapest SIM option in the UK.

I've seen the Hologram recommendation, but in the UK it turns a bit pricey due to shipping costs, plus the rates are not the cheapest either.

My point is, what does Hologram have exactly that allows automating the SMS sent to the SIM? AFAIK from the code, you're just using its API so the SMS is sent from Hologram server to Hologram SIM.

I've found several cheaper SIM providers, but they do NOT allow inbound SMS. Only to send SMS from their own server. Which AFAIK is exactly what you're doing with Hologram.

Am I correct in saying that technically, we do not need a SIM that receives inbound SMS from any phone? As long as we can automate them with the providers API, that should be good, right?

So, while only Hologram is currently integrated/supported, it should be easy enough to integrate new providers using their API. Is this correct, or is there any other limitation that Hologram solves?

Many thanks again!

[developerfromjokela]

Hi!

Home assistant integration & add-on would be cool!

And about the sms. Hologram API is used to send the SMS command to the TCU, via hologram API. They have free-of-charge SMS service inbound to their device, from their servers. My understanding is, that Holgoram SIM cards don't have traditional phone number (MSISDNs). They relay it internally through the mobile network.
So, the only thing Hologram solves is inbound SMS from their server/infrastructure and free of charge, without limits. It comes very handy for the timer function and for periodic updates for Home Assistant for example.

If you know any other IoT SIM Card providers with inbound SMS via API, should be easy integration. And I encourage to implement, Hologram isn't perfect either. Good to have choices ;)

[developerfromjokela]

Seriously!?? Man that saved me another £20. Why is that?

Then our only option is the G1 with that terrible MB price?

The sim GL3 is newer style, the TCU simply doesn't recognize it :) too new for the old hardware

But yeah, I guess sticking with GL1 is an option. Yes, the data is expensive I agree. I'll just stick with it, since the consumption is pretty low.
I also appreciate ability for hologram sim to hop through networks when networks start to get taken down eventually or face downtime. I assume every IoT sim has something like this.

But it's still worth checking alternatives with ability to send SMS via API and integrating them to the server. Having a choice is important.

[Chaoscontrol]

I just found a UK provider with free SIM and even cheaper than Hologram. They don't have a direct shop, but their chat support guy was great and confirmed all the info for me.

Can you confirm some sort of specs to check the SIM will be compatible?

[developerfromjokela]

I just found a UK provider with free SIM and even cheaper than Hologram. They don't have a direct shop, but their chat support guy was great and confirmed all the info for me.

Can you confirm some sort of specs to check the SIM will be compatible?

Well, I don't have any but so far every sim has worked except hologram G3 :) hard to know why it doesn't work but basically only requirement is that it supports 2G connections

[Chaoscontrol]

Got it. I guess I'll have to bite and try it.

[Chaoscontrol]

So as I said, I've found this apparently great provider iotie, from the UK. It seems more local and small business (less automated) than others, but at the same time the offer seemed competitive. So I went and got in touch via their chat, expecting it would fall short on some of my requirements.

The guy who attended me (Justin) was insanely helpful, and kept asking ALL my weird questions. They (like most) are focused on business customers, but he still went above and beyond to understand my needs and didn't disregarded me as unworthy of their time.

This is the key info:

100Mb = £0.79/m <--- enough for OCW
200Mb = £1.17/m
500Mb = £2.29/m
1Gb = £4.17/m

They have several coverage options. The minimum valid I'd say is the Multi-network UK SIM (for me). But for a sure-fire option there's an EU version and even a Global one. During our conversation he actually mentioned the SIM actually worked for EU too, so I guess the prices he gave me were for that option.

Initial set up fee £3.50
*Overusage rate per Mb = £0.0060 (!!! cheapest from ALL the providers I've found)

SMS can only be sent from the portal to the SIM. They have API too to do it. They are free. Perfect and all we need in OCW. And it can be integrated for automation.

The main red flag was that he mentioned their payment gateway (GoCardless) forces them a minim monthly charge of £5 though. This made it a non-viable option. BUT, then he checked and told me in 2-3 weeks they are actually switching payment gateway, and there won't be this minimum spend. This suddenly turned into an amazing option.

There was a 12 month contract, and then rolling monthly. I told him I wouldn't mind IF the SIM worked with my device, and I needed to test that first.

So he organized it so he would send me a test SIM to test, paying the £3.50 set up fee, but no contract.

That's what I'll be doing. While they don't have a direct shop for consumers, they felt extremely kind and helpful, and their offer is the best I've found by far (once they remove the £5 min spend).

Monday he'll be getting in touch to organize the SIM delivery, I don't have ETA yet. I will report back once I have it and test it, to confirm it works.

In the meantime, since I've already topped up the damn Hologram SIM, I might as well install it to tinker with OCW while I receive the other (I won't re-secure the TPU for a few days/weeks to avoid me working twice).

PS. Another provider I've found worth testing is Monogoto. Also incoming SMS free. $1/m SIM + $0.35/m platform. Average cost per MB. But no direct shop either. I got in touch but no reply yet. No idea of shipping, if they sell to consumer, or other issues.

[thecivvie]

I am in Ireland and was shocked by the shipping cost of the hologram sim. I am using a free sim from Sky Mobile Ireland. Wish there was a way to use their free sms