SIM card activation

The router acts as a cellular data modem which has LTE 4G capability. The process for activating a SIM card differs for this type of device, compared to activating a SIM card for use in a smartphone, tablet, or a hotspot or modem device supplied by the network provider.

SIM cardActivation

Before you can connect to the network provider’s cellular network and obtain Internet access, the SIM card and data plan need to be activated / authorized on the network provider’s cellular network. For some SIM cards and data plans, this is an automatic process, where the network providers pre-activate or pre-authorize the SIM cards, either before or during the SIM card purchase process. However, some network providers require you to take additional steps to activate / authorize the SIM card and data plan before use. The procedure for doing this differs from provider to provider:

Guidance

  • Ensure you know your router’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, as the network provider will need this in order to register your router device on their network.

  • Check with the network provider before trying to activate the SIM card, as the router cannot activate a SIM card via a mobile web page.

  • Ensure you tell the network provider that the SIM card is going to be used in a Cellular data modem with LTE 4G capability.

  • You may need to ask the network provider to activate the SIM card in-store, online or via their customer support team, because you cannot activate it via a mobile web page.

  • You should activate the SIM card specifically for the router’s unique IMEI number, and only put the SIM card in the router it is assigned to — no other devices. Some providers may throttle SIM cards that are detected in multiple devices i.e.: if you activate it using your phone and then switch the SIM card to the router.

  • Check your data plan carefully, as some providers may offer a limited amount of data for hotspot connection and then a much lower speed once the initial allowance is used up. For example, at the time of this publication, Verizon in the USA offered its “Essential” data plan, which provides 15 GB of mobile hotspot data, and then unlimited lower-speed data (600 Kbps), once the initial 15 GB is consumed.

For more information on the specific data allowance and SIM card activation process applicable to your SIM card, please refer to the relevant network provider, and also the following section: Mobile / cellular data troubleshooting