Rolling out IoT and NB-IoT devices globally is an exciting leap forward for many businesses. These devices offer connectivity that powers industries ranging from logistics to smart cities. But there’s one big challenge standing in the way: permanent roaming. If your IoT or NB-IoT devices stay connected to a foreign network for too long, you risk running into regulatory issues, facing penalties, or having your devices disconnected.
So how do you keep your devices compliant and connected worldwide?
At IoT Consulting Partners, we guide businesses through these complexities, helping you overcome the challenges of permanent roaming, ensuring that your IoT and NB-IoT devices stay online and meet local regulations across the globe.
What is Permanent Roaming?
Permanent roaming happens when an IoT or NB-IoT device remains connected to a foreign network for long periods. While this can be essential for applications like fleet management, smart agriculture, or connected devices in remote regions, countries have begun cracking down on it. The reason? Governments want to protect their local telecom industries, ensure security compliance, and prevent foreign devices from taking advantage of local networks without proper regulation.
Without proper planning, permanent roaming can lead to:
- Service disconnections due to non-compliance with local laws.
- Penalties or fines from regulators for long-term reliance on foreign networks.
- Network prioritization issues, where local devices are given preference over foreign ones, causing slower speeds for your IoT devices.
How Different Regions Handle Permanent Roaming for NB-IoT
European Union
In the EU, devices are allowed to roam under the Roam Like At Home (RLAH) regulation for short periods, but long-term connections must switch to local networks. This regulation ensures that foreign devices do not remain connected beyond allowable limits, thereby protecting local telecom providers from unfair competition.
United States
The U.S. doesn’t explicitly ban permanent roaming, but network operators often have commercial agreements that limit long-term foreign connections. These restrictions protect the local market and may lead to disconnection if IoT devices overstay their roaming period.
China and Brazil
China and Brazil have some of the strictest regulations, requiring IoT devices to switch to local providers after a set period. The reasoning behind this is to ensure compliance with national security and local telecom standards.
India and the Middle East
Countries like India and those in the Middle East require IoT devices to switch to local operators after a certain timeframe. Extended roaming isn’t allowed, and devices must comply with domestic laws to stay connected.
Overcoming the Challenges of Permanent Roaming
When faced with these global regulations, how can you ensure your IoT and NB-IoT devices stay compliant and connected? Here are key solutions:
1. Implement eSIM Technology
eSIM (embedded SIM) technology allows IoT and NB-IoT devices to switch between different mobile networks seamlessly, without the need for a physical SIM card swap. This technology makes it easier to comply with local regulations by ensuring devices automatically connect to local operators once they reach a new country.
How it helps: By allowing your devices to automatically switch networks, eSIM helps avoid long-term reliance on foreign networks, ensuring compliance with roaming laws.
2. Use Multi-IMSI SIM Cards
Multi-IMSI SIMs enable devices to use multiple mobile network identities, automatically selecting the best network based on location. This ensures that your devices stay connected to local networks without violating roaming rules.
How it helps: Multi-IMSI SIMs allow for easy network switching, giving your NB-IoT devices the flexibility to comply with local laws while staying connected across regions.
3. Engage with Local Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Working with local MNOs ensures that your devices can operate on local networks without violating roaming restrictions. Building relationships with local operators can help smooth out the process of setting up compliant connectivity solutions.
How it helps: By working with local providers, you avoid the risk of disconnection and ensure your devices are prioritized on the local network.
4. Regulatory Compliance Consulting
Ensuring compliance with varying telecom regulations can be overwhelming. Consulting experts who specialize in IoT regulations across regions will help you stay ahead of changes in laws and avoid penalties.
How it helps: A specialized consulting partner, like IoT Consulting Partners, can help you navigate the complex legal requirements in each country, keeping your devices compliant and your operations running smoothly.
Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions about Permanent Roaming and NB-IoT
Q1: What is permanent roaming in IoT and NB-IoT?
A: Permanent roaming occurs when IoT or NB-IoT devices remain connected to a foreign network for an extended period. Many countries have strict regulations limiting how long devices can stay connected, requiring them to switch to local networks after a specific time.
Q2: Why do countries restrict permanent roaming?
A: Countries impose these restrictions to protect local telecom operators, ensure that foreign devices don’t overwhelm their networks, and maintain national security. Extended roaming can also cause local devices to experience slower connections as foreign devices continue using local bandwidth.
Q3: How can eSIM technology help overcome permanent roaming issues?
A: eSIM technology allows devices to switch to local networks automatically, ensuring compliance with local regulations and avoiding the limitations of permanent roaming. With eSIM, devices don’t rely on one network and can adjust to the local provider as needed.
Q4: What is the benefit of Multi-IMSI SIMs in IoT deployments?
A: Multi-IMSI SIMs allow devices to connect to multiple networks under different identities, providing flexibility and ensuring continuous connectivity in regions with strict roaming laws. This technology helps avoid long-term dependency on foreign networks.
Q5: How can IoT Consulting Partners assist with global regulatory compliance?
A: IoT Consulting Partners offers regulatory investigations, acts as a liaison with local mobile operators, and provides tailored compliance strategies to ensure your IoT and NB-IoT devices remain connected and compliant with local telecom laws around the world.
How IoT Consulting Partners Can Help You Stay Connected
The challenges of permanent roaming and global NB-IoT deployments can feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. At IoT Consulting Partners, we help businesses overcome these hurdles by offering:
- Regulatory Investigations: We conduct in-depth investigations into telecom regulations for permanent roaming across regions like the EU, U.S., China, and India. Our expertise ensures your devices are always compliant with local laws.
- Liaison with Local Providers: We can work directly with local MNOs and MVNOs to ensure that your IoT devices can operate on local networks, avoiding permanent roaming violations.
- Tailored Compliance Strategies: Every business is unique, and so are its IoT needs. We build custom strategies for compliance, ensuring your devices remain connected and operational without risking disconnection.
Our team is dedicated to keeping your global operations running smoothly, helping you avoid unnecessary risks, and making sure your devices stay online—no matter where in the world they are deployed. If you’re ready to overcome the challenges of permanent roaming and take your IoT deployments global, let’s talk! Schedule a consultation today!
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