How to Choose a SIM for a 4G Security Camera in Australia
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: a 4G security camera can use a third-party data SIM if it has a removable SIM slot that is not locked to the manufacturer's own service, can use the mobile-data settings the SIM requires, uses standard 4G LTE, supports the LTE bands used where it is installed, and has usable signal at the mounting point. The plan also has to cover what the camera sends over mobile data — continuous streaming can quickly exceed 500MB–2GB monthly allowances.
The five checks at a glance
| Check | What to look for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. SIM access | Removable physical SIM slot that accepts a third-party SIM and can use the required mobile-data settings | Manual, product listing, camera app network settings |
| 2. Cellular technology | Standard 4G LTE — not LTE-M, NB-IoT or 3G-only | Cellular section of the specification sheet |
| 3. LTE bands | Bands used by Australian networks where the camera is installed | Specification sheet, regional model version |
| 4. Data fit | Expected mobile data within the plan | Manufacturer guidance, existing SIM usage records, or camera-app data statistics where available |
| 5. Signal at the mounting point | Usable 4G signal where the camera actually hangs | Coverage maps, then the signal reading on site |
1. Check whether the camera accepts a third-party SIM
A SIM slot alone does not mean any SIM will work. Cellular cameras fall into three groups:
| Camera type | Can it use a third-party data SIM? |
|---|---|
| Removable SIM slot, open to any provider | Yes, if the other checks pass |
| Removable SIM slot, locked to the manufacturer's SIM or subscription | No |
| Built-in eSIM or embedded SIM only | No — a physical SIM cannot be used |
A camera that accepts third-party SIMs must also be able to use the mobile-data settings the SIM requires. On some devices this happens automatically; others provide editable network settings in the camera app, a web interface or the device menu. If the camera can neither apply the required settings automatically nor let you change them, a third-party SIM may not connect even when the slot accepts it.
Signs a camera may be locked to its own service:
- The listing says a data subscription or plan from the manufacturer is required
- The camera comes with a SIM already installed and the manual describes no way to use another
- Setup requires activating a bundled plan in the app before the camera will connect
- The listing names a single carrier or says it works only with a specific service
If any of these apply, confirm with the manufacturer that a third-party SIM is supported before buying a SIM.
2. Check the cellular technology
"4G" on the box does not confirm which technology the camera uses. Standard LTE categories such as Cat 1 and Cat 4 are different from the low-power technologies LTE-M (Cat-M1) and NB-IoT. FinchTel Device SIMs support standard 4G LTE only. Australia's 3G networks have been switched off — TPG completed its switch-off in January 2024, and Telstra and Optus in November 2024 — so a 3G-only camera cannot connect with any SIM.
3. Check the LTE bands
Many cameras are sold in regional versions with different LTE bands, so check the exact model and version you own. For Telstra coverage, Band 28 (700 MHz) is particularly important: Telstra states that devices need Band 28 to access its full coverage footprint. Telstra also notes that the 700 MHz bands used in the United States are not compatible with Australia's Band 28 — a camera built for the US market may list "700 MHz" without supporting the Australian band.
4. Check that the camera's data use fits the plan
Mobile data is used for alerts, photo and clip uploads, live view, remote playback and background app traffic. Recording to a local SD card does not use mobile data. Live view usually has the biggest effect: data per hour is roughly the stream bitrate in Mbps × 0.45GB (1 Mbps × 3,600 seconds ÷ 8 = 450MB).
Start with the manufacturer's figure. Some manufacturers publish recommended monthly data for their 4G models. Reolink, for example, lists:
| Reolink recommended monthly data (normal use) | Example models listed by Reolink |
|---|---|
| 1GB | Go, Go PT |
| 2GB | Go Plus, Go PT Plus, Go Ultra, Duo 4G, TrackMix LTE and others |
| 5GB | Duo 2 LTE (6MP) |
Reolink also states that images use a few hundred KB, videos can use up to 2MB each, local SD-card recording uses no data, and at default main-stream settings 1GB lasts about one hour of live view on several models. These figures apply to Reolink's own models and settings; they are a reference point, not a compatibility confirmation for any camera.
FinchTel's current camera plans provide up to 2GB per month. A manufacturer's normal-use recommendation above 2GB is therefore outside the available plan range unless your measured usage is lower.
If your manufacturer publishes no figure, measure usage with an existing SIM, or use the camera's data statistics where available, then choose a plan above that figure.
5. Check signal at the mounting point
Coverage maps show the network in an area, not the signal at the exact spot where the camera hangs.
- Check the signal reading in the camera app at the mounting point before fixing the camera in place
- Avoid metal enclosures, steel structures and low positions in gullies where possible
- Where the camera supports an external antenna, mount it higher and clear of obstructions; Telstra notes that antennas designed for overseas markets may perform poorly on Australian frequencies
- Weak signal increases connection retries, which adds data use and drains battery and solar cameras faster
Setting up the SIM
- Insert the SIM in the size the slot requires (Standard, Micro or Nano) with the camera powered off.
- Apply the network settings exactly as given in the setup instructions supplied with the SIM.
- Complete the camera's own app setup, then confirm that a test alert arrives.
- After a few weeks, compare the camera's data use with your plan, using its data statistics where available.
If the camera does not connect
- Re-check every network setting against the setup instructions supplied with the SIM.
- Confirm the camera is not locked to the manufacturer's own SIM or plan, and that it can use the required network settings (check 1).
- Confirm the exact model supports standard 4G LTE and Australian bands (checks 2 and 3).
- Test the camera somewhere with known good signal, away from metal and obstructions.
- Check whether the month's data allowance has been used.
- Still not working? Contact us with the camera brand, exact model and what the app shows.
Where FinchTel camera SIMs fit
| Good fit | Not a fit |
|---|---|
| Motion-triggered 4G security cameras that record locally | Continuous cellular streaming or continuous cloud upload |
| Cellular trail cameras sending photos or short clips | Cameras expected to use more than 2GB a month |
| Standard 4G LTE cameras with a removable, unlocked SIM slot that can use the required network settings | eSIM-only cameras or cameras locked to a manufacturer plan |
| Sites with Telstra or Optus 4G coverage on bands the camera supports | Sites with no usable mobile coverage |
FAQ
Can I put any SIM card in a 4G security camera?
Only if the camera has a removable SIM slot, accepts third-party SIMs, can use the required network settings and supports the SIM's network technology and bands. Some cameras are locked to the manufacturer's own SIM or plan.
How do I know if my camera is locked to its own SIM?
Look for a required manufacturer subscription, a pre-installed SIM with no option to change it, or an app setup that activates a bundled plan. If unsure, ask the manufacturer whether third-party SIMs are supported.
Does a 4G camera need Band 28 in Australia?
For Telstra coverage it matters. A camera without Band 28 may still connect on other supported Telstra LTE bands where available, but it will not access Telstra's full Band 28-based coverage footprint.
Can I use a phone SIM in a security camera?
Technically, sometimes — if the camera accepts third-party SIMs and the network technology matches. Also check the mobile provider's terms, device-use restrictions, data allowance and expiry rules to confirm that the plan can be used in an unattended camera.
Is 2GB a month enough for a security camera?
It can be for a motion-triggered camera that records locally and uses live view sparingly. It is not enough for continuous streaming, and some manufacturers recommend more than 2GB for certain models under normal use.
Will a 3G security camera work?
No. Australia's 3G networks have been switched off, and a SIM cannot change the camera's radio. The camera needs replacing with a 4G LTE model.
Ready to choose a plan?
- → Security Camera SIM Card Australia — 500MB, 1GB or 2GB per month, 1–8 years, one-off payment
- → Remote Monitoring SIM — for telemetry and monitoring equipment at field sites
- → How to choose an IoT SIM
- → All Device SIMs
Sources
- Reolink — How Much Data Do Reolink 4G Cameras Need in Normal Usage — recommended monthly data by model, upload sizes, live-view data at default bitrates
- Telstra Wireless Application Development Guidelines — Band 28 and full coverage footprint, US 700 MHz incompatibility, antenna guidance
- Australian Government — 3G network switch off — switch-off status and dates by carrier