Your Questions Answered: Comprehensive FAQ Guide
Welcome to our FAQ page, where you can find all the answers to your most pressing questions. Whether you're a new customer or a long-time shopper, our FAQ section is designed to simplify your shopping experience. We understand that having clear and concise information about our products and services is crucial for making informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common queries we've received from our customers:
What is a fixed IP SIM and do I need one?
A fixed IP SIM assigns your device a permanent, static IPv4 address instead of a changing one. You need one if you're remotely accessing CCTV, EV chargers, or industrial equipment over the mobile network — without it, you lose the connection every time the IP changes and can't reliably dial back in.
Can I use a GleeSim IoT SIM without a long-term contract?
Yes. GleeSim offers flexible 30/90-day rolling contracts on IoT and M2M SIMs with one month's cancellation notice, so you're not locked into multi-year terms to get static IP connectivity
What kind of devices actually use an IoT SIM?
Anything that needs to report data without a person babysitting it — EV chargers, CCTV cameras, vending machines, vehicle trackers, remote alarms, environmental sensors, digital signage, ticket machines. If it's a box that needs to "phone home" occasionally, an IoT SIM is almost certainly the right fit.
Do IoT SIMs work in a normal phone or router?
Physically, often yes — but they're not designed for it and we wouldn't recommend it. They're priced and provisioned assuming small, predictable, low-frequency data use. Put one in a phone and stream video on it and you'll likely hit usage caps or fair-use limits fast, because that's not what the SIM or the tariff was built for.
How much data does a typical IoT device actually need per month?
Less than most people expect. A lot of our customers are perfectly happy on 100MB–1GB a month for things like EV chargers or telemetry sensors — it's mostly small status pings and occasional firmware checks, not constant streaming. We'll always ask what the device actually does before recommending a data size, rather than just upselling you to a bigger bundle.
Is "Unlimited" 5G data actually unlimited, or is there a catch?
Worth asking this of any provider, honestly. Some "unlimited" plans have a fair usage policy buried in the small print that throttles you after a certain point (like the 650GB FUP on some of our own O2 business SIMs — we tell you that upfront rather than hiding it). Others are genuinely uncapped. We'll always be straight with you about which type you're looking at before you buy.
Do I need a 5G-compatible device to benefit from a 5G SIM?
Yes — the SIM itself doesn't create 5G speeds out of nowhere, your router, phone or dongle needs to support it too. If you're not sure what your current hardware supports, tell us the make and model and we'll confirm before you pay for a tier of speed you can't actually use yet.
Will a 5G unlimited SIM work if 5G coverage drops out where I am?
Yes — it'll fall back to 4G automatically in areas without 5G coverage, so you're not left without a connection, just without the top speed until 5G's available again.
What's a fixed IP SIM and why would my business need one? A normal SIM gets handed a different IP address more or less every time it reconnects — fine for browsing, useless if you need to dial back into a device remotely. A fixed IP SIM gives that device one permanent address that never changes, so you (or your CCTV system, VPN, or remote monitoring software) can always find it at the same "digital address" no matter how many times it drops and reconnects.
Do I need a static IP SIM for CCTV, or will a normal SIM do?
If you ever need to view your CCTV remotely — from an app, a browser, or a monitoring company dialling in — you need the static IP. Without it, the camera's address keeps changing and your viewing software loses the connection every time the network reassigns it, which usually shows up as "camera keeps going offline" even though it's actually fine.
Is a fixed IP SIM the same as a VPN?
No, though they're often used together. The fixed IP gives your device one stable, permanent address to be found at. A VPN adds encryption and access control on top. For a lot of our customers doing remote CCTV or industrial monitoring, the static IP alone solves the "I can't reliably connect" problem — VPN is the next layer up if you also need that traffic locked down.
Can I get a fixed IP SIM on a single network, or does it have to be multi-network? Both are available. Single-network keeps the cost down if you know coverage is solid at your site. Multi-network costs a bit more but automatically finds the strongest of the four UK networks — worth it anywhere signal is patchy or the device is mission-critical (a lift alarm or a security camera you really can't afford to lose contact with).
How fast can I get a static IP SIM up and running?
Same-day dispatch is standard, and once it arrives, configuration typically takes under an hour — it's a case of popping the SIM in and confirming the IP with us, not a lengthy install.
What does "bespoke connectivity" actually mean in practice — isn't every SIM basically the same? Not really, once you get past the basics. A drone operator, an NHS trust, and a construction firm all need "a SIM that works reliably" — but the right data allowance, contract length, network choice, and IP setup for each of those is completely different. Bespoke just means we ask what the device actually does and how it's used before recommending anything, rather than pushing you toward whichever plan happens to be the most profitable for us.
We have an unusual use case that doesn't fit your standard product listings — can you still help? Yes, and honestly this is a big part of what we do. If you can tell us the device, the environment it's operating in, roughly how much data it needs, and how long you expect to need it for, we'll put together a plan around that rather than trying to squeeze you into an off-the-shelf tier that doesn't quite fit.
How does pricing work for a bespoke or custom quantity order? It scales with volume and commitment, same logic as our listed plans: the more SIMs and the longer the term, the lower the per-SIM monthly cost. For genuinely large or unusual rollouts (say, fleet-wide trackers or a multi-site sensor network), get in touch directly and we'll quote it properly rather than trying to force it through a standard checkout.
Can you combine multiple connectivity types into one bespoke plan — e.g. some fixed IP SIMs and some standard IoT SIMs on one account? Yes. A lot of our business customers end up with a mixed estate — static IP SIMs for CCTV, standard IoT SIMs for trackers, a handful of business mobile SIMs for staff — and it all sits under one account so you're not juggling three different suppliers and three different invoices.
How does a multi-network SIM actually work — is it on all four networks at once? Not simultaneously — think of it as one SIM with permission to roam across EE, O2, Three and Vodafone (network availability can vary by product), automatically connecting to whichever has the strongest signal in that exact spot at that exact moment. If you move the device, or one network has an outage, it reconnects to the next best one without you doing anything.
Is a multi-network SIM worth the extra cost over a single-network SIM? For anything where losing connection actually costs you money or safety — a vehicle tracker, a remote alarm, a payment terminal — yes, easily. For something in a fixed location with known good single-network coverage (a shop with reliable EE signal, say), you might not need to pay the premium.
Will a multi-network SIM definitely work if I'm somewhere with genuinely poor signal on every network? It significantly improves your odds, but it's not magic — if there's a true not-spot with no coverage from any of the four networks, no SIM will fix that. What it does solve is the much more common problem of one network being weak in a specific spot while another is fine there.
Do multi-network SIMs cost more to run month to month, not just to buy? Usually a little more than single-network, yes, since you're paying for that flexibility and redundancy. For most of our customers using it for trackers or remote monitoring, that small premium is easily worth not losing the device's connection at the worst possible moment.
Will any unlimited SIM work in any 5G router, or do they need to be matched?
Mostly yes for the SIM side (a standard-size or nano SIM will physically fit most routers), but check your router is genuinely 5G-capable and not just 4G with 5G branding — that's a common mix-up. Tell us your router make and model and we'll confirm compatibility before you order.
Can I use a 5G router SIM as my main home or office broadband instead of a fixed line?
Yes, plenty of our customers do exactly this — it's a solid option anywhere fixed-line broadband is slow, delayed, or simply not available yet (new builds, rural sites, temporary offices). You'll want unlimited or a genuinely large data allowance if it's your only connection, since a household or small office gets through data fast.
What speeds can I realistically expect from a 5G router SIM?
It depends heavily on your actual signal strength, not just the SIM. In a strong 5G area you can see speeds that rival or beat fixed-line fibre; in a 4G fallback area it'll behave more like a good home broadband connection. We'd always rather under-promise on this and let your actual location prove us wrong, than oversell a number you won't see.
Is there a data cap hidden in "unlimited" 5G router SIMs I should know about? Always ask this question of any provider, including us — some plans marketed as unlimited have a fair use threshold after which speeds are reduced. We'll tell you plainly whether the plan you're looking at is a true unlimited or a large-but-capped allowance before you commit.
What's the difference between a "mobile broadband SIM" and a normal phone SIM? A mobile broadband (data-only) SIM skips calls and texts entirely and is priced purely for data — usually cheaper per GB than a voice-and-data plan, since you're not paying for a service you won't use. It's built to go into a router, dongle, tablet or laptop rather than a phone.
Can I use a data-only SIM in a normal laptop with a SIM slot?
Yes, as long as the laptop has a built-in SIM slot and modem (most standard laptops don't — this is usually a business or "always connected" laptop feature). If yours doesn't have a slot, a small USB dongle or MiFi device is the usual workaround.
How much data does a typical remote worker actually get through in a month?
It varies a lot with video calls being the main driver — a light user doing mostly email and documents might use under 10GB, while someone on video calls most of the day can comfortably use 50GB or more. If you're not sure, we'd rather start you on a mid-tier plan and adjust than have you either overpay or run out mid-month.
Do mobile broadband SIMs work the same everywhere in the UK, or does coverage vary a lot?
Coverage varies by network and location, same as any mobile SIM — it's not magic just because it's "broadband" branded. If you know the postcode where it'll mainly be used, tell us and we can point you toward the network with the best local coverage rather than guessing.
Can I get internet connectivity for a site or event that only needs it for a few weeks? Yes — this is exactly what our rolling 30-day plans are built for. No need to sign up to a 12 or 24 month contract for something that's genuinely temporary; you pay month to month and cancel with notice once you're done.
How quickly can temporary connectivity actually be set up on site?
Same-day dispatch on the SIM, and once it's plugged into a router, you're typically live within the hour — there's no engineer visit or fixed-line installation wait involved, which is the whole point for temporary or fast-turnaround sites.
Is temporary connectivity reliable enough for something business-critical, like a pop-up retail till system or event ticketing?
Yes, provided you pick the right setup for the job — a multi-network SIM in particular is worth the small extra cost for anything payment-related or business-critical, since it's not relying on a single network holding up all day.
What happens if I need the connectivity for longer than originally planned?
Nothing complicated — a rolling contract just keeps rolling. You're not penalised for needing it for 10 weeks instead of the 4 you first thought, and equally you can end it with notice the moment you don't need it any more.
How do you get internet on a construction site before any fixed lines are installed? This is one of our most common jobs — a SIM-based 4G/5G router gives you working internet from day one, with no waiting on Openreach or a fixed-line install that can take weeks a site simply doesn't have. Our construction connectivity starts from £25/month on a 30-day rolling plan, so you're not tied into anything longer than the job needs.
Do I need a special router for a construction site, or will a normal home router work? A normal home router isn't built for a site environment — dust, temperature swings, and needing a SIM slot rule most of them out. We typically recommend industrial-grade options like the Teltonika RUT241/RUT956 or GL.iNet Spitz AX, which are built for exactly this kind of use and take a SIM directly.
Can I keep the same IP address if I move the router between different sites? Yes, if it's set up with one of our static IP SIMs — the IP stays attached to the SIM, not the physical location, so you can move the same router from site to site and your remote access, CCTV, or VPN setup keeps working without reconfiguring anything.
Is site connectivity fast enough to run CCTV, time-lapse cameras and staff WiFi at the same time? Generally yes on a decent 4G/5G signal, but it depends on how many devices and how much video you're pushing simultaneously. If you're planning multiple cameras plus general staff WiFi, tell us the full setup and we'll size the data allowance and router properly rather than leaving you to find out it's not enough halfway through the job.
How fast can connectivity actually be live on a brand new site? Same-day dispatch if ordered before 2pm, and once the router's on site, setup is typically under an hour — no engineer callout needed.
What does the SIM in an EV charger actually do? It's what lets the charger "phone home" — reporting OCPP communication back to the charge point management platform, taking remote commissioning and firmware updates, sending monitoring and diagnostics data, and in some setups handling user authentication and payment processing. Without it, the charger works like a dumb plug with none of the smart, remotely-manageable features.
How much data does an EV charger SIM actually need? Less than people expect — our EV charger SIM runs on 100MB a month, which comfortably covers OCPP traffic, remote management, firmware checks and monitoring for a typical charge point. It's status updates, not video streaming.
Is there a long contract tied to EV charger SIMs, or can I install one without committing long-term? No long-term contract needed — ours runs on a 30-day rolling agreement at £1.99 + VAT per SIM, with 30 days' notice to cancel. That's deliberate: a lot of our EV charger customers are running pilot installs or phased rollouts and don't want to be locked in before they know the deployment's going to scale.
Do I need to configure an APN or set anything up manually when installing an EV charger SIM? No — it's plug and play. Drop the SIM into the charger's modem or router and it connects automatically, no APN configuration or manual router setup required, which matters when you're an installer doing several of these in a day.
Can I order EV charger SIMs in bulk for multiple charge points at once, and does GleeSim supply the charger too? Bulk ordering is straightforward for OEMs and installers doing multiple units — get in touch and we'll sort volume pricing. We supply the SIM only, not the charger hardware itself; you fit your own charge point and we handle the connectivity behind it.
Can I use a standard IoT SIM for a drone, or does it need to be a special "drone SIM"? For most commercial drone and ground-station setups, a standard multi-network IoT or tracker SIM does the job — the SIM itself doesn't know or care that it's in a drone rather than a vehicle, it just needs reliable cellular connectivity while the drone or its controller is moving. We supply the data SIM; the drone hardware and any drone-specific integration is on your side.
Why would a drone need cellular connectivity if it's already controlled by radio? Radio control has range limits and can be line-of-sight dependent. Cellular connectivity extends that — real-time telemetry, live video feed backhaul, and GPS position tracking over distances well beyond typical radio range, which matters a lot for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations or tracking a drone across a large site.
Do I need a multi-network SIM for drone tracking, or is single-network enough? Multi-network is worth strongly considering here — a drone moves through different coverage areas as it flies, and you really don't want to lose telemetry or tracking data because it flew into a single network's weak spot. The steering between networks that a multi-network SIM does automatically is exactly the kind of resilience a moving, out-of-sight asset needs.
How much data does drone telemetry and tracking typically use?
Pure GPS/telemetry tracking is very light — similar data usage to a vehicle tracker, often under 500MB a month. If you're also backhauling live video from the drone, that's a different, much higher data requirement — tell us which it is and we'll size the SIM correctly rather than under- or over-selling you a data allowance.
Does GleeSim supply the drone or the tracking hardware as well as the SIM?
No — same principle as our other IoT lines: we supply the data SIM only. You fit your own drone, ground control unit, or tracking module, and our SIM handles the connectivity behind it, from a single unit up to fleet volumes.
What's a real-world example of how an IoT SIM gets used in healthcare or social care?
Think of a personal alarm pendant for someone receiving social care at home, a remote patient monitoring device tracking vitals and sending them to a clinical team, or an ambulance's telemetry equipment reporting back in real time. In all of these, the SIM is the quiet part in the background making sure that data actually reaches the people who need to see it, wherever the patient happens to be.
Why does healthcare and social care connectivity need to be multi-network rather than single-network?
Because the stakes are higher than most IoT use cases. If a telecare pendant or a patient monitor drops connection because one network has a local outage, that's not just an inconvenience — it can mean a genuine safety gap. Our GleeSIM 1GB Multinetwork IoT SIM for NHS and healthcare pools data across four networks specifically so a single network issue doesn't take the device offline.
What contract lengths are available for healthcare and NHS IoT SIMs — do they have to be long-term?
We offer 30-day, 90-day, 12-month and 24-month terms, and the pattern is straightforward: the longer you commit, the lower the monthly cost — our 24-month multi-network healthcare SIM starts from £3.50/month, with shorter terms priced a little higher per month to reflect the flexibility. For a pilot scheme or a trial with a handful of service users, a shorter term makes sense even at a slightly higher rate; once a trust or care provider is rolling it out at scale, the 12 or 24 month terms bring the per-device cost down significantly.
Can an NHS trust or care provider get a bespoke quote for a large rollout, rather than buying individual SIMs?
Yes, and for anything beyond a handful of devices, that's genuinely the better route — get in touch with your expected device count, use case, and rollout timeline, and we'll put together a tailored plan rather than having you check out dozens of individual SIMs one at a time.
How much data does a typical telecare or remote patient monitoring device actually need?
Usually not much — our standard healthcare SIM runs on 1GB pooled across the connected devices, which comfortably covers status pings, alerts, and periodic health readings for most telecare and monitoring setups. If your devices are doing something more data-heavy, like transmitting imaging or video, let us know and we'll size it accordingly rather than leaving you short.
Is there a minimum order quantity for healthcare or NHS IoT SIMs?
No minimum for standard orders — you can start with a single SIM to test the setup before committing to a wider rollout, which a lot of care providers and smaller trusts prefer to do before scaling up.
What's the difference between a 12, 18 and 24 month SIM only contract?
It's really just a trade-off between commitment and price. A 24-month deal locks in the lowest monthly cost because the network can plan around you being with them for two years. Go for 12 months and you'll pay a bit more per month, but you're free to renegotiate or switch sooner if your business needs change. 18 months sits in the middle and suits a lot of growing businesses who don't want to commit to two years but also don't want to be back at the negotiating table every year.
Can I put multiple SIMs on one business account?
Yes — most of our business customers do exactly this. Whether you need 3 SIMs for a small team or 300 for a whole fleet, they can all sit under one account and one invoice, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to expenses and admin.
Which network is best for a UK business SIM — EE, O2, Three or Vodafone?
Honestly, it depends on where your team actually works day to day. EE tends to edge it for rural and motorway coverage, O2 and Vodafone are strong in most towns and cities, and Three is usually the most competitively priced for pure data. If your team's spread across the country, that's exactly where a multi-network SIM (see section 6) earns its keep instead of betting on one network.
Do I need a credit check for a business SIM only contract?
For longer contracts (12 months plus), yes, most networks will run a light business credit check — it's standard practice, not a GleeSim-specific hurdle. If credit history is a concern, our shorter rolling plans are worth asking about instead, since they typically don't need the same checks.
Can I upgrade or add data mid-contract if my usage grows?
Yes, and it's one of the most common calls we get. If your usage is creeping past your allowance most months, it's cheaper to move up a tier than to keep paying overage charges — just get in touch and we'll sort it without making you start a whole new contract.
How fast is delivery on a GleeSim business SIM order?
Same-day dispatch during weekdays is standard, with next-day delivery in most of the UK so a typical order is in your hands within 24 hours of purchase.
Do you supply the tracker or camera unit as well as the SIM?
No — GleeSim supplies the data SIM only. We work directly with tracker installers and OEM manufacturers, so you fit your own tracker, camera, or router hardware and drop a GleeSim SIM in for connectivity, from a single unit up to fleet volumes.
What's the difference between a single-network and multi-network SIM?
A single-network SIM (EE, O2, or Three) runs on one operator's coverage at a lower price. A multi-network SIM automatically steers to whichever of the four UK networks has the strongest signal at your location — it costs more but is worth it for mission-critical connections like vehicle trackers, where losing signal risks losing the asset.
Which network has the best coverage for a UK tracker SIM?
For most UK locations, our EE single-network SIM offers the strongest coverage at the most competitive price with no long-term contract and a minimum 3-month commitment — it's the option we recommend first unless you're covering an area with known EE blackspots.
Can GleeSim SIMs be used for maritime or camper van connectivity?
Yes. GleeSim's unlimited 5G mobile broadband and cellular WiFi plans cover camper van, site cellular, and maritime use cases where you need reliable data outside a fixed premises.
Is GleeSim's travel eSIM the same product as the business SIMs on this site?
No. Travel eSIMs (200+ countries, WhatsApp-native activation, no app required) are a separate consumer product for international travel, available through our travel eSIM platform. This site covers UK business connectivity: fixed IP, IoT/M2M, business mobile, and device plans.
What is your return policy?
Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you're not completely happy with a purchase, you have 30 days from the date of receipt to return it for a full refund or exchange. To facilitate a smooth return process, please ensure the product is in its original condition.
How long does shipping take?
We aim to process and ship all orders within 2-3 business days. Depending on your location, delivery can typically take between 5-7 business days. For expedited options, please reach out to our customer service team.
Can I track my order?
Absolutely! Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an email with tracking information. This will allow you to monitor your shipment in real-time.
Product Inquiries
If you have specific questions regarding any of our products, feel free to contact us directly through our website. Our knowledgeable team is always ready to assist you with detailed information that will help you decide which product is best for you.
Contact Us
If your question hasn’t been answered in our FAQ section, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated customer service representatives are here to help you:
- Email: info@gleesim.co.uk
- Phone: +44-208-5182329
- WhatsApp: +447766540364.