How to Choose 4G Connectivity for a GPS Tracker in Australia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick answer: a GPS tracker may be compatible with a FinchTel Device SIM if it uses standard 4G LTE, accepts a removable third-party physical SIM and does not depend on SMS or voice for normal operation. Also check the tracker's exact LTE bands, its monthly data needs and network coverage where it will operate.
The six checks at a glance
| Check | What to look for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cellular technology | Standard LTE category (e.g. Cat 1, Cat 1 bis, Cat 4) and supported bands | Spec sheet, manual, cellular module name |
| 2. SIM slot | Removable physical SIM, not locked to one provider | Manual, product listing, the device itself |
| 3. SMS dependency | Normal operation over mobile data, not SMS | Setup instructions, tracking platform |
| 4. Monthly data | Reporting interval and extra traffic | Device settings, platform data logs |
| 5. Coverage | Network access where the asset operates or parks | Network coverage maps, installation location |
| 6. Setup | Network settings from the SIM's instructions | Instructions supplied with the SIM |
1. Check your tracker's cellular technology
"4G" on a box or listing is not enough. Several different technologies sit under the 4G label, and a SIM plan supports some of them but not others. Look for the exact LTE category in the tracker's specification.
| Listed as | What it means | FinchTel Device SIM |
|---|---|---|
| LTE Cat 1, Cat 1 bis, Cat 4 | Standard 4G LTE | May be suitable if the other checks pass |
| LTE-M, LTE Cat-M1, eMTC | Low-power LTE variant | Not supported |
| NB-IoT, Cat-NB1, Cat-NB2 | Narrowband IoT | Not supported |
| 2G / GSM / GPRS or 3G / WCDMA only | Legacy networks | Not usable — Australia's 3G networks have been shut down |
If the spec sheet only says "4G", look for the cellular module name in the manual or specification. For example, Quectel EC21 modules are LTE Cat 1 and EC25 modules are LTE Cat 4 — both standard LTE — while Quectel BG95 and BG96 modules are LTE Cat M1 / NB-IoT modules.
Check the full model suffix, not just the module family. Regional variants of the same cellular module can support very different LTE bands. For example, Quectel lists the EC21-A as its North American variant, supporting LTE bands 2, 4 and 12, while the EC21-AUT is its Australian variant, supporting bands 1, 3, 5, 7 and 28. Telstra also notes that the 700 MHz bands used in the US, such as band 12, are not compatible with Australia's 700 MHz band 28. This is why the full module variant matters when checking a tracker for Australian use.
Australian frequency bands: Band 28 (700 MHz) is an important consideration for Australian 4G coverage, especially for regional use. Telstra describes Band 28 as a coverage band and states that devices need it to use the full Telstra coverage footprint. A tracker without Band 28 may still connect in many areas, but coverage outside major centres can be reduced. Check the tracker's supported LTE bands against where it will operate.
2. Check the SIM slot
- Removable physical SIM: required. FinchTel SIMs are triple-cut and fit Standard, Micro and Nano slots.
- Embedded SIM or eSIM only: a physical SIM cannot be used.
- Provider-locked trackers: some trackers only work with the manufacturer's own SIM or subscription service. If the product requires an ongoing subscription to its own platform, check whether it accepts a third-party SIM at all.
3. Check whether the tracker depends on SMS
FinchTel Device SIMs are data-only — no SMS or voice. Many trackers report position over mobile data and are managed through an app or online platform, which works with a data-only SIM. Some use SMS in two different ways:
- SMS for initial setup only: complete setup with an SMS-capable SIM first, then switch to the data-only SIM for ongoing use.
- SMS for normal operation (alerts, location requests or commands sent by text): a data-only SIM is not suitable.
4. Estimate monthly data
A tracker's data use depends mainly on how often it reports and what else it sends. The main factors:
- Reporting interval: how often a position is sent while moving and while parked
- Live tracking sessions: short high-frequency periods triggered from an app
- Heartbeats and check-ins: regular status messages to the platform
- Connection retries: repeated attempts in weak coverage add overhead
- Extra data: firmware updates, diagnostics, sensor readings or images
Method: estimate the number of reports per month, multiply by the data used per report including connection overhead, then add the extra traffic above. Because per-report size varies by device and platform, the most reliable figure comes from the tracker's platform or data logs after the first few weeks. Choose a monthly allowance above your estimate to leave headroom — FinchTel tracker plans range from 100MB to 2GB per month.
5. Check coverage where the tracker operates
FinchTel Device SIMs can access both the Telstra and Optus 4G networks; the network used depends on availability and service conditions at the tracker's location. Check coverage for every area that matters — where the vehicle travels, and where trailers, caravans or machinery are parked.
- Installation position matters: a tracker mounted deep inside a metal chassis or trailer frame can lose signal compared with the same location in the open.
- A larger data allowance does not improve coverage — it only adds data headroom.
6. Set up the SIM
- Power off the tracker before inserting or removing the SIM.
- Insert the SIM in the size the slot requires (Standard, Micro or Nano).
- Apply the network settings exactly as given in the setup instructions supplied with the SIM. Some trackers apply settings automatically; others need them entered by app, platform, cable or SMS (see check 3).
- Changing the SIM normally does not require changing the tracker's platform server address or port — follow the instructions for your exact tracker model.
- Power on the tracker. The plan starts when the SIM first connects to the network.
- Confirm on your tracking platform that position reports are arriving.
If the tracker does not connect
- Re-check every network setting against the setup instructions supplied with the SIM.
- Confirm the tracker's LTE category and bands (check 1) — LTE-M/NB-IoT-only devices will not connect.
- Test the tracker somewhere with known good coverage, away from metal enclosures.
- Check whether the month's data allowance has been used.
- Still not working? Contact us with the tracker brand, model and what the status lights or platform show.
Planning for several trackers
- Record each SIM against its asset (the SIM number printed on the card) before installation.
- Plans start on first connection, so SIMs can be bought in one order and installed over time.
- Choose plan length by how long you need the service: longer terms suit installations expected to stay in service for several years.
FAQ
Do GPS trackers need a SIM card?
Cellular GPS trackers need mobile service — through a removable SIM, an eSIM or an embedded SIM supplied with the device. Only trackers with a removable physical SIM slot can use a FinchTel SIM. Bluetooth tags and satellite trackers work differently and do not use a mobile SIM.
Can I use a phone SIM in a GPS tracker?
Often, if the SIM fits and the tracker supports the network technology. Phone plans are built around calls, texts and phone-level data use, so check whether the plan's allowance, expiry and recharge rules suit a device that runs unattended for years.
Will my old 3G tracker work with a 4G SIM?
No. The SIM does not change the tracker's radio. A 3G-only tracker cannot connect now that Australia's 3G networks have closed; it needs replacing with a 4G LTE model.
My tracker says "4G LTE-M". Will a FinchTel SIM work?
No. LTE-M (Cat-M1) and NB-IoT are not supported by FinchTel Device SIMs. Look for a tracker listed as LTE Cat 1, Cat 1 bis or Cat 4.
How much data does a GPS tracker use per month?
It depends on the reporting interval and extra traffic — see section 4 for the method. Measuring actual use from your tracking platform after a few weeks gives the most accurate figure.
Can the same tracker be used in New Zealand?
Potentially — if the exact model supports the LTE bands used in New Zealand and accepts a third-party physical SIM. For trackers operating in NZ, see the GPS Tracker SIM Card New Zealand.
Ready to choose a plan?
- → GPS Tracker SIM Card Australia — 100MB to 2GB per month, 1 to 8 years, one-off payment
- → GPS Tracker SIM Card New Zealand
- → IoT SIM Card — for sensors, meters and other compatible devices
- → All Device SIMs
Sources
- Quectel EC21 Series LTE Standard Specification — LTE Cat 1 module and regional band variants
- Quectel EC25 series — LTE Cat 4 module
- Quectel BG95 series — LTE Cat M1 / Cat NB2 module; also describes the BG96 as an LTE Cat M1 / Cat NB1 module
- Telstra Wireless Application Development Guidelines — Australian LTE bands and Band 28 coverage