IoT SIM card for the UK: multi-network on EE, O2, Vodafone and Three

Key facts: IoT SIMs in the United Kingdom

Coverage in the United Kingdom

In the UK the SIM connects to EE, O2, Vodafone UK and Three via data-roaming agreements and automatically picks the network with the best signal at each location, from the cities to rural Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Outside the UK, the same SIM operates on 750+ networks across 190+ countries, including the whole EU.

The 3G sunset completed on the main UK networks during 2024, and 2G remains only as a fallback (expected until around 2033 on EE and Vodafone). Any new deployment should plan on 4G LTE, LTE-M or NB-IoT. LPWAN availability varies by operator and area — validate per-site coverage during your pilot with the SIM Test Kit.

Typical use cases in the UK

• Fleets and logistics on the EU ↔ UK corridors (Dover, Eurotunnel, ferries)
• Migrating 2G/3G alarms and telemetry to LTE-M after the UK switch-off
• EV charging points (OCPP) and shared mobility
• 4G/5G video surveillance on construction sites, retail and remote assets
• Construction telematics on major urban projects
• Cold chain and cargo monitoring on both sides of the Channel
• Industrial routers and SD-WAN for multi-store retail
• Connected lifts (EN 81-28) migrating off 2G/3G
• POS and payment terminals with backup connectivity
• Precision agriculture and livestock in rural areas

Frequently asked questions about IoT SIMs in the UK

Is permanent roaming allowed in the United Kingdom?

Yes. The UK imposes no regulatory ban on permanent IoT roaming, unlike markets such as Saudi Arabia or Brazil. Post-Brexit, operation is governed by commercial agreements between carriers, and iot.cards M2M SIMs keep the UK inside the EU+UK zone: your devices operate there indefinitely. The full regulatory map is at /recursos/blog/roaming-permanente.

Which networks does the SIM use in the UK?

All four national networks: EE (BT Group), O2 (Virgin Media O2), Vodafone UK and Three. The SIM is non-steered: it automatically selects the network with the best signal at each location and switches if coverage degrades, with no intervention or device reset.

Does the consumer 90-day roaming cut-off apply?

No. The 90-day fair-use rule affects consumer SIMs. iot.cards SIMs are issued with M2M profiles: they do not expire on inactivity and are not cut off for prolonged roaming in the UK or the EU.

What about the UK 2G and 3G switch-off?

The main UK networks completed their 3G shutdowns during 2024, and 2G remains only as a fallback with retirement expected toward 2033. Any new deployment should run on 4G LTE, LTE-M or NB-IoT; legacy 2G/3G devices (alarms, trackers, telemetry) must migrate. Our switch-off guide is at /recursos/guias/sunset-2g.

Do you offer a private APN and static IP for the UK?

Yes. We configure a dedicated APN with your CIDR range and an IPSec or WireGuard tunnel into your VPC or corporate network, and static IP is available as an add-on from the first SIM at /sim-iot-ip-fija. The architecture is the same for your devices in Spain, the EU and the UK.

Does the same SIM cover the rest of Europe?

Yes. The same SIM operates across the EU, the EEA and the UK on the same zone rate, and on 750+ networks in 190+ countries in total. Assets crossing the Channel or the Irish Sea keep their connectivity without a SIM swap or a new contract.

How do I test coverage before deploying?

With the SIM Test Kit (€15 VAT included, 5 SIMs, free shipping to Spain): validate coverage, network switching and your integration in the lab or in the field before rollout. For large fleets, book a technical call and we review coverage per site.