Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced the revision in tariff plans for IoT (Internet of Things) / M2M (Machine to Machine) Services for bulk user customers all over India. As per the latest information, BSNL’s IoT/M2M SIM cards are available at cheapest monthly charges of just Rs 16/- onwards.
For those who unaware, IoT / M2M services are those which require communication between two or more devices (machines) without the intervention of a human. It is the backbone of the Internet of Things (IoT) and which needs connectivity from telecom service providers for this communication to happen. M2M / IoT services are the future revenue opportunities for telecom service providers and hence TRAI implemented a dedicated 13-digit numbering pattern for M2M services.
The major difference in M2M/IoT services is that, here telecom service providers are will provide backhaul connectivity to the application servers of M2M / IoT service providers. The actual services are being offered by M2M service providers to their customers. Most of the major telecom service providers (TSPs) started signing agreements with M2M / IoT Service Providers who in turn will provide services to end customers using the connectivity provided by TSPs.
BSNL M2M / IoT SIM Cards
BSNL will be providing two types of SIM cards for M2M / IoT applications depending on the customer requirement.
- Normal SIM (Physical SIM)
- eSIM (SIM embedded in M2M smart devices)
Cost of M2M SIM Cards : Physical SIM cards will be issued at Rs 10/- per SIM card whereas e-SIM cards are absolutely FREE.
What are eSIMs?
e-SIMs are embedded in M2M Devices. BSNL will provide soft e-SIM profile, which are subsequently uploaded on physical e-SIMs by the device manufacturers. M2M service provider selects the e-SIM manufacturer on its own. BSNL will supply soft e-SIM profiles to M2M service provider and device manufacturer in turn, burn the e-SIM profile into physical devices and supply it to M2M Service provider.
M2M Numbering Scheme (13 Digit Numbers)
Previously, all telecom operators were providing the same 10 digit numbers for M2M applications. Later, as per TRAI directions 13-digit numbering scheme was launched in India from 1st July 2018 exclusive to M2M / IoT Services. TSPs were also directed to migrate all the existing 10 digit mobile numbers which were previously allotted for M2M / IoT / Smart City projects to the new 13 digit numbering plan.
13 Digit M2M Number consist of Three Parts:-
- M2M Identifier (3 Digits)
- Licensee Identifier (4 Digits)
- Device Number (6 Digits)
M2M Bandwidth Requirements / Type of Applications
- Very low Bandwidth <1Kbps (Monthly usage 10KB to 1MB) e.g. remote sensors applications.
- Low Bandwidth, 1kbps to 50 kbps (Monthly usage 1 MB to 10 MB) e.g. utility, health, security monitoring
- Medium Bandwidth, 50kbps to few MB, (Monthly usage 10MB to 300MB) e.g. retail, ticketing, inventory control, gaming, digital picture frames
- High Bandwidth, in Mbps (Monthly usage >300MB to 90GB) e.g. Digital signage, Video surveillance.
M2M/IoT Services – Features / Facilities
- Outgoing / Incoming calls shall be allowed to/from predefined set of maximum one number only.
- Outgoing / Incoming SMS shall be allowed to/from predefined set of maximum two numbers only.
- Data communication –The APN shall be white listed with a set of 4 IPs in accordance with the DoT guidelines.
Responsibilities of M2M Service Providers
- e-SIM cards are to be procured from a GSMA certified SIM Manufacturing facility
- e-SIM card/Device is to be certified from an accredited laboratory
- Use of BSNL subscriptions in M2M SIM Cards/Devices are compliant to applicable standard of GSMA
| BSNL Tariff Plans for M2M / IoT Services (Prepaid Tariff) | |||||
| Plan Name | Free Mobile Data Per Month | Free Onnet SMS Per Month | Plan Charge (Rs per SIM per Month) | ||
| 10-10,000 SIMs | 10,001-50,000 SIMs | More than 50,001 SIMs | |||
IOT 1 |
| 50 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
IOT 2 | 50 MB | 100 | 22 | 20 | 18 |
IOT 3 | 100 MB | 200 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
IOT 4 | 300 MB | 500 | 31 | 28 | 25 |
IOT 5 | 500 MB | 1000 | 35 | 32 | 30 |
IOT 6 | 1 GB | 1000 | 62 | 56 | 50 |
IOT 7 | 5 GB | 1000 | 100 | 90 | 80 |
IOT 8 | 10 GB | 2000 | 150 | 135 | 120 |
IOT 9 | 25 GB | 2000 | 200 | 180 | 160 |
IOT 10 | 60 GB | 2500 | 250 | 225 | 200 |
| Private APN charges for M2M/IoT Services | 10-10,000 SIMs | 10,001-50,000 SIMs | More than 50,001 SIMs | ||
| One Time Charge for each Private APN | Rs 20,000/- | Rs 15,000/- | Rs 10,000/- | ||
| Annual Recurring Charge for each Private APN | Rs 20,000/- | Rs 15,000/- | Rs 10,000/- | ||
NB: For Post paid, FMC 10% Extra will be charged. GST extra as applicable. At present only Post paid services are available.
| BSNL M2M / IoT Service – Additional Usage Charges After Free Usage | |
| Data Charges after free usage | 1 paisa / 10KB for Home LSA and National Roaming |
| SMS Charges after free SMS limit & Off-net SMS | 15 paisa per SMS |
| Outgoing Voice Calls (On-net & Off-net) | 30 paisa per 60 sec |
| Incoming Voice Calls | FREE |
APN Requirements
APN stands for Access Point Name. An APN acts as a middle man between a particular network and the devices trying to connect with it, adding a layer of security to all of the devices on your network. Using an APN starts with the right SIM card. Any device that wants to connect to an APN network needs to have a specially programmed SIM. There is no way for someone to connect to your IoT devices without also having access to your APN network. Having a private APN network means that you’ll only be sharing that network with your other devices, which also helps prevent network congestion.
- Unique, fixed APN will be allocated to any new customer availing M2M/IoT services.
- The unique APN shall be whitelisted with a set of 4 IPs in accordance with the DoT guidelines.
- Any existing customer using default APN should be migrated to unique APN.
Additional Tariff Details
- Minimum Hire Period is One Year.
- Post paid bills are issued only for bulk connection.
- Exact half yearly, quarterly, and annual options available. (e.g if FMC is Rs 31 then half yearly=31×6, quarterly=31×3, annual=31×12)
- Pooling of data is possible with in an IOT plan for 10% extra charge on FMC per connection.
- The advance Security Deposit is 10 times the FMC in post paid.
- International Roaming (Out bound roaming) : Activation charge Rs 99/- +GST for post paid and Rs 58(MRP) for Prepaid.
M2M / IoT Business Opportunities
- Vehicle – GPS Tracking System
- Smart Meters – SIM based on off.
- Automatic metering – Smart meters
- Data acquisition sensing – Hydrology
- POS – Swiping machines
- SIM based Advertisement in Luxury Buses
- Fault Passage management system
- Automatic Demand Management
- Data Acquisition – SOURA Projects of KSEBL
Selling voice and data services has previously allowed operators to offer customers a point of difference on minutes of use, data plans, and the different device types. But to provide greater value to their customers, telecom operators need to branch into non-traditional telecommunications services and products by collaborating with M2M & IoT Service Providers.
Read More : Latest BSNL Validity Recharge Plans to extend plan validity with unlimited calls, data and SMS benefits
Dear readers, please share your views and opinions about BSNL’s M2M / IoT Tariff plans for bulk user customers. Whether these new services will get additional revenue for Indian telecom service providers?
4 Comments
How can I convert my bsnl sim to esim in Kerala?
BSNL satellite-based Narrow-Band Data Mobility solution and M2M Communications is started. interested customers can conatct below official.
Virender Kumar
SDE BSNL
mob. 09468182001
Hello Virender,
Can you please let me know how can we reach you out to discuss M2M eSIM profile discussion.
It is not IOT that requires e-sim. latest mobile devices also are e-sim capable.. IS BSNL ready yet or playing into the hands of the competitors with the dismal customer service provided at BSNL customer service centres… I recently had a bad experience at the BSNL Bhavan – Kochi, Kerala.