Tariffs for GPS trackers: how to choose and save

Choosing a vehicle monitoring device is only half the battle, because without the right SIM card and connected data package, an expensive gadget will turn into a useless piece of plastic. Many car enthusiasts make the mistake of inserting their main SIM card with unlimited Internet into the tracker, without thinking about the fact that traffic consumption in IoT devices has its own specifics. Standard mobile plans are often not suitable for telemetry due to billing features and the frequency of small data packets.

Understanding how they are formed communication costs, will allow you to reduce the annual budget for maintaining the tracking system by up to 50%. In this article, we will look at why regular tariffs “for people” can be unprofitable for a tracker, how to properly set up a GPRS connection, and what hidden fees to look out for when choosing an operator. You will learn how specialized IoT solutions differ from mass market ones and whether it is worth overpaying for the operator’s brand.

It is important to immediately note that the market for communication services for M2M (Machine-to-Machine) devices is changing dynamically. What worked a year ago may not be relevant today. We analyzed the current offers of the largest providers and prepared a detailed guide that will help you not overpay for air.

Principles of saving traffic in GPS trackers

The main task of the tracker is to periodically send coordinates to the server. Unlike a smartphone, which is constantly connected to social networks and instant messengers, the tracker “wakes up” only for a short time. However, if the device is set to transmit data every second or has a poor signal, traffic consumption can grow exponentially. The key parameter here is the data sending interval, which can be configured via SMS commands or the application.

Most modern models such as Teltonika or Autofon, are able to compress data before sending. This means that even with frequent coordinate updates, the amount of transmitted information remains minimal. However, if you use a tracker with the function of wiretapping the interior or voice recorder, the traffic will be consumed much faster, since the transfer of audio files requires a stable channel and more megabytes.

⚠️ Attention: Never use SIM cards with per-minute billing for devices with voice listening function. Even one forgotten turned on wiretap can “eat up” the entire monthly balance in a couple of hours.

For standard operating mode, when the car is simply parked or moving with a recording interval of 1-2 minutes, the minimum package is sufficient. Problems begin when the device gets into an area of ​​​​uncertain reception and begins to constantly reconnect to the network or send erroneous data packets, which the operator charges anyway.

Specialized IoT tariffs versus regular SIM cards

There are two main types of SIM cards on the market: regular consumer (Consumer) and machine (M2M/IoT). Regular SIM cards are intended for people: calls, social networks, video. Tariffs here are often rounded to the nearest megabyte or minute, which is extremely unprofitable for the tracker. Specialized IoT tariffs created specifically for devices transmitting telemetry.

The main advantage of IoT solutions is flexibility and the absence of a subscription fee in the classical sense. You can only pay for transmitted traffic accurate to the kilobyte. In addition, such SIM cards often have uniform coverage throughout the country, which is critical for truckers or taxi drivers who constantly move between regions. Roaming in such tariffs is either absent or costs symbolically.

Another important aspect is the lifespan of the SIM card. Operators can block regular SIM cards for lack of activity (for example, if the car has been in the garage for a month), while IoT tariffs often have a “freeze” option or do not require activity on the network to save the number. This allows you not to worry about draining the battery during long periods of parking.

Comparative analysis of operator proposals

The choice of operator often depends not on price, but on the quality of coverage in your region. However, when considering tariff plans for telemetry, the Big Four and virtual operators have their own nuances. Some providers offer smart home or gadget packages that are technically suitable for trackers, but have hidden limitations.

For example, operators can limit the connection speed after the limit is exhausted, which is not critical for transmitting coordinates, but can affect the speed of the primary connection. Others may block ports used by specific tracker protocols. Therefore, before purchasing a package, always check the technical conditions.

Operator/Type	Subscription fee	Traffic per month	Features
MTS (IoT M2M)	from 150 rub.	50-500 MB	Unified SIM card for the Russian Federation, API for business
Beeline (For devices)	from 100 rub.	up to 1 GB	Ability to share traffic from the main number
Tele2 (For things)	from 7 rub./day	Batch	Flexible pricing, no subscription fee
Virtual (IoT)	from 50 rub.	In fact	Work on networks of different operators, cheap roaming

When choosing, you should consider not only the monthly payment, but also the cost of connection and maintenance. Some virtual operators offer very low rates, but charge for the SIM card itself or its delivery. In the long term (3-5 years of tracker operation) this can amount to a significant amount.

Setting up GPRS and APN: technical nuances

After choosing a tariff, you must correctly configure the access point (APN) in the device itself. This is the “address” at which the tracker accesses the Internet. If the settings are incorrect, the device will try to connect, waste battery power and money in the account, but the data will not get to the server. Typically settings APN come to SMS automatically, but sometimes they need to be entered manually.

For most operators, the access point looks standard, for example, internet.mts.ru or internet.beeline.ru. However, for IoT SIM cards these addresses may differ. You can check and change them by sending an SMS command to the tracker’s SIM card number or through the configuration software via USB. A typical command might look like a string of parameters.

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet.iot-operator.ru"
Password:
APN: internet.iot-operator.ru

A common mistake is to ignore the PIN code. New SIM cards often require a PIN code when turned on. Trackers, especially budget models, may not be able to enter it. Disabling the PIN code request is a mandatory first step. You need to do this by inserting a SIM card into a regular phone and disabling scanning in the security settings.

Hidden costs and cost optimization

Even if you choose the right tariff, there are factors that can unexpectedly increase costs. One of them is background processes. Some advanced trackers may try to update their firmware via the mobile network. If the update is 10 MB and you have a 50 MB package, you will lose 20% of your monthly limit per transaction.

Another source of expenses is incorrect operation of the monitoring server. If the server does not acknowledge receipt of the data packet, the tracker may start rebroadcasting it over and over again. This creates a traffic storm. To avoid this, you need to monitor the device status in the application and restart it if necessary.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid hourly Internet tariffs. For GPS trackers that transmit data in bursts, paying for each hour of connection (even if 1 KB is transferred) will be ruinous.

You can optimize costs by setting up “sleep mode”. At this time, the tracker does not send coordinates, but only “checks in” on the network once every few hours so that the operator does not disconnect the SIM card. This is true for cars that are not in use.

How to check real traffic consumption?

Send an SMS with a statistics check command (usually the 'GPRS' or 'STAT' command) to the tracker number. The response message will contain the number of bytes transferred during the current session. Divide this number by the number of days to get your average consumption.

Perspectives: eSIM and the future of telemetry

eSIM (embedded SIM card) technology is gradually coming to the car tracker segment. This eliminates the need to physically insert a plastic card, which is especially important for sealed devices or high vibration environments where the contact may oxidize. However, in terms of tariffs, eSIM does not yet provide significant advantages over regular IoT SIM cards.

The main advantage of eSIM is the ability to remotely change operators. If in your region one provider has better reception than another, you can switch programmatically without removing the device from the car. This is especially convenient for those who frequently travel within the country or travel abroad, where roaming can be expensive.

However, the cost of devices with eSIM support is still higher. For most users using a tracker within the same city or country, a classic Nano-SIM format SIM card remains the most cost-effective solution. The main thing is not to forget to replenish your balance on time.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much traffic does a GPS tracker consume per month on average?

For standard operating mode (interval 1-2 minutes when driving and 15-30 minutes when parked), the tracker needs 15-30 MB per month. If wiretapping of the interior or frequent updating of coordinates is enabled (every 10 seconds), the consumption can increase to 100-200 MB.

Is it possible to use a smartphone SIM card in a tracker?

Technically yes, if the sizes match (usually Nano-SIM). However, this is often not economically viable due to high subscription fees and traffic rounding. In addition, when the main package is exhausted, the Internet on the phone may stop and the tracker will stop transmitting data.

What to do if the tracker stops connecting to the Internet?

First of all, check your account balance. Then make sure that the SIM card has not run out of traffic. If the balance is positive, check your APN settings. Often, simply rebooting the device by turning off the power for 10-15 seconds helps.

Do you need unlimited internet for a GPS tracker?

No, Unlimited Internet for a GPS tracker is not needed and is not economically feasible. The devices transmit microscopic amounts of text data. Overpaying for an unlimited tariff is a waste of money, since the tracker will not physically be able to use the entire gigabyte capacity.