Description
A 4G data SIM for remote monitoring equipment — one-off payment, 1 to 8 years.
The FinchTel Remote Monitoring SIM is a long-term 4G LTE data SIM for compatible telemetry units, data loggers, remote monitoring controllers and the gateways that connect them at Australian field sites — water, tank and pump monitoring, weather stations, irrigation and energy equipment. Choose a monthly data allowance (100MB to 2GB) and a service period (1, 3, 5 or 8 years). The service runs for the full term with a one-off payment — no monthly fees, no recharges and no auto-renewals.
| Network | Telstra + Optus 4G access (multi-network) |
| Network technology | Standard 4G LTE; LTE-M (Cat-M1) and NB-IoT not supported |
| Coverage | Australia |
| Data allowance | 100MB – 2GB per month (select above) |
| Service period | 1, 3, 5 or 8 years (select above) |
| Payment | One-off — no monthly fees or auto-renewal |
| Calls & SMS | Not supported — data only |
| SIM size | Triple-cut: Standard, Micro and Nano |
| Where the SIM goes | In the network-facing device — the unit that contains the cellular modem |
| Activation | Service period starts when the SIM first connects to the network |
| If the allowance runs out | Data pauses until the next month — no excess charges |
| Unused data | Does not roll over to the next month |
Find the network-facing device first
The device that contains the cellular modem determines the SIM requirement — not the sensors or the software.
- Integrated: the logger, controller or telemetry unit has its own modem and SIM slot. Check that device.
- External: the equipment connects through a separate telemetry modem or cellular gateway. Check the gateway instead — it holds the SIM and carries the traffic of every device behind it.
Identify this device before comparing cellular technology, SIM size or data requirements. Our Remote Monitoring connectivity guide walks through the full check.
Will this SIM work with my equipment?
It may be suitable if the network-facing device:
- Uses standard 4G LTE (such as LTE Cat 1) and supports the LTE bands used at the installation site
- Accepts a removable physical SIM card
- Uses mobile data for normal operation
- Does not depend on SMS or voice
- Fits within the selected monthly data allowance, including traffic from any devices behind it
Not suitable for:
- 2G or 3G-only modems — Australia's public 3G networks have been shut down
- LTE-M (Cat-M1)-only or NB-IoT-only equipment
- Equipment without a removable physical SIM slot
- Equipment that needs SMS or voice to operate
- Continuous video streaming or other sustained high-volume uses
"4G", "LTE" or "IoT" on a product label does not confirm compatibility — check the cellular specification of the exact modem, including its regional model. Unsure? Contact us with the brand and model before ordering.
Choosing a data allowance
Monthly data use depends on reporting frequency, payload size, platform check-ins, connection retries in weak coverage, remote diagnostics and firmware or software updates.
If the system connects through a gateway, size the allowance for all the traffic passing through that gateway — every logger and controller behind it, plus the gateway's own management traffic — not for one device. If usage has not been measured yet, choose an allowance above your estimate and compare it with measured use after the first weeks.
Service period: 1 year for trials and fixed-term projects; 3 years for project-length deployments; 5 or 8 years for long-term installations where a longer service period is preferred.
Typical compatible remote monitoring equipment
- Telemetry units and remote terminal units (RTUs)
- Data loggers with a built-in cellular modem
- Remote monitoring controllers
- Telemetry modems and gateways at monitoring sites
- Water, tank and pump monitoring systems
- Weather and environmental monitoring stations
- Irrigation and soil monitoring equipment
- Energy and utility monitoring equipment
Each still needs the compatibility checks above.
What's included
- 1 × triple-cut 4G SIM card (fits Standard, Micro and Nano slots)
- SIM ejector pin and setup instructions
- Free standard shipping Australia-wide from our Melbourne warehouse
- Equipment not included
How it works
- Select your monthly data allowance and service period above.
- Your SIM ships free from our Melbourne warehouse.
- Install the SIM in the network-facing device and follow the setup instructions supplied with it. The service period starts from the SIM's first network connection, not the order date — so SIMs can be ordered ahead of installation.
Telstra + Optus 4G network access
This is a multi-network SIM: it can access both the Telstra and Optus 4G networks. The network used depends on availability and service conditions at the installation site. Check coverage at the exact mounting location before deploying — especially at rural water infrastructure, remote enclosures and industrial facilities.
One-off payment compared with other plan types
| Payment | Monthly plans: recurring billing while the service continues. Short-term prepaid plans: another recharge or purchase may be needed when the validity period ends. | FinchTel: one-off payment for the selected 1–8 year service period |
| Admin across many sites | Billing or recharges to manage for each site's service | No billing or recharges during the service period |
| Cost per site | Depends on how long the service runs | Fixed at purchase for the selected service period |
Rolling out across several sites?
- One SIM per cellular connection — a gateway serving several loggers may need only one SIM for its connection, while loggers with their own cellular modems each need their own
- Each service runs independently from the day that SIM first connects — practical when sites are commissioned at different times
- Each SIM has its own monthly allowance — data is not pooled across SIMs
- Order in bulk at checkout; one payment covers each SIM for its full service period
- Larger deployments: contact us before ordering
FAQ
Which device in my system needs the SIM?
The one with the cellular modem. If the logger or controller has its own modem, the SIM goes there. If the system connects through a gateway or telemetry modem, the SIM goes in that device.
Can one SIM serve several loggers?
Yes, when the loggers connect through one cellular gateway. The gateway holds the SIM and carries their combined traffic — size the data allowance for the total.
Can this SIM be used in a data logger?
It may be suitable where the logger contains a compatible standard 4G LTE modem with Australian LTE bands, accepts a physical SIM and uses mobile data for normal operation.
Does LTE Cat 1 equipment work?
Compatible LTE Cat 1 equipment may be suitable. Check the exact modem version and its supported Australian LTE bands.
Does this service support LTE-M or NB-IoT?
No. LTE-M (Cat-M1) and NB-IoT-only equipment needs a service that supports those technologies.
Can this SIM replace the SIM in 3G-era telemetry?
Only once the 3G modem has been replaced. A 3G-only modem cannot connect now that Australia's public 3G networks have shut down, whatever SIM it holds. Where the modem is a separate unit, replacing just that unit with a compatible 4G LTE modem or gateway may restore connectivity — our Remote Monitoring connectivity guide explains how.
What happens when the monthly allowance is used?
Data pauses for the rest of the month. Unused data does not roll over, and there are no excess usage charges.
When does the service period start?
When the SIM first connects to the network — not on the order date.
Can I order SIMs for several sites?
Yes — select the quantity at checkout. Each SIM's service period runs from its own first connection. For larger deployments, contact us before ordering.
Can I extend the service later?
Yes — service periods are extendable. Contact us before expiry to extend service on the same SIM.
Learn more
- → How to plan 4G connectivity for remote monitoring equipment — find the network-facing device, plan gateway data and prepare the installation site
- → How to choose an IoT SIM — what to compare across technology, coverage, data and plan terms
- → IoT SIM Card — for compatible general sensors, meters and controllers
- → GPS Tracker SIM Card — for compatible vehicle and asset trackers
- → All device connectivity guides