Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

Resellers selling voice and data SIMs to businesses often find themselves up against the carriers directly. How do they compete?

Compare and contrast

They gather as much information as they can on the competition. If they have a good relationship with the customer, they may obtain details about the exact deal they are up against. By analysing the customer’s bill, existing requirements and competitive offer, they pitch a customised deal with an edge.

Offer a mix of networks

Some customers have a network preference, but some networks are stronger than others in particular areas. Users also have a preference. Offering a mix of networks rather than the single network offering from the carrier, can be powerful.

Contract terms

Often the carriers demand longer contract terms. More flexible contract terms can sometimes be the difference to clinch the deal.

Demand 

4G is widely available in the UK with typical download speeds of around 20Mb/s and theoretical speeds of up to 150Mb/s. We have seen a surge in demand for data-only SIMs for mobile broadband solutions in rural areas, on construction sites and in retail outlets.

Benefits

4G is fast, reliable and quick to set up. Jola, offers up to 500GB data packages on short-term contracts. Data SIMs are available on all the major mobile networks, with back-dateable bolt-ons and management tools.

Bill shock

The issue for many is bill shock. Unlike FTTC, which is largely unlimited (usually with a fair use policy), mobile broadband is sold with monthly usage allowances and financial penalties for over-usage.

Mobile Manager

To allow resellers to manage large estates of mobile data SIMs, Jola developed Mobile Manager. Mobile Manager handles SIM activations, ceases, suspensions, reports, alerts and bolt-ons. SIMs are managed in real-time. Pooled data and data buffers are available to share data usage across estates and avoid bill shock. Self-serve Private APNs can be set-up and managed within Mobile Manager for private 4G networks and seamless private 4G fail-over solutions.

JolaNet 4G

For resellers wanting to send a pre-configured 4G routers to site, they are available next day, JolaNet 4G is a managed 4G router with an integrated data SIM. Choose from a selection of data SIMs from all the leading mobile network operators, multi-network and Fixed IP options. Resellers can view data usage directly from the device in five minute intervals. It comes with a no bill-shock guarantee.

Are you winning clients who need private networks in multiple locations, with 4G back-up? Could you benefit from direct control over SIM assets and the ability to aggregate data across sites?

Jola provides a range of data-only SIM packages including multi-network roaming SIMs with pooled data options. MSPs only need to contract with one supplier. They have access to an automated management portal and complete visibility and control over their entire SIM estate.

Jola partners don’t need to survey each site to establish the best signal. Our multi-network SIMs connect to the strongest available signal in the EU. Having all the networks isolates issues to the device rather than the network.

MSPs are able to order new SIMs and pools, add SIMs to pools, set up alerts and monitor the pool. If any site fails, they have a data pool to draw from and a buffer. They can even set up and manage private APNs.

We partner with some of the world’s largest MSPs, managing private networks for blue chip companies globally. We are a more attractive alternative to partnering with multiple in-country mobile network operators.

In a market where businesses can put residential SIMs in routers and setting up channel relationships with the networks is challenging, what are the benefits of working with channel specialists?

Avoid the risk of being cut-off

Most networks’ terms and conditions prohibit the use of residential services in business environments. By using SIMs designed for consumer mobile phones, you run the risk of having your service switched off. This could damage the relationship you have with your end user, who could lose service unexpectedly until you can get the SIM replaced. This is much more difficult when devices are scattered across the globe.

Avoid the complexity of managing multiple relationships

To buy business SIMs directly from the mobile networks, you need to establish relationships and manage multiple portals. Some mobile networks do not offer wholesale or resale and insist that you set up an MVNO. If you don’t have a channel model you may be losing out on recurring revenue and run the risk of losing your end user to the networks directly.

Find the best package in seconds

With so many packages available, how do you know you are proposing the best solution for your customers? This is where specialists like Jola come into their own. They have established relationships with all the mobile carriers and have their own APIs and ordering and management systems.

The UK Security System Services market consists of 2,203 businesses, employing over ten thousand employees, generating £1.4bn in revenue with an annual growth of 11.8%. Factors driving growth are concerns over a rise in crime and the threat of terrorism. Businesses are upgrading security systems and Governments are focussing on national security. 

Security specialists are investing in 4G to provide internet connectivity in rural locations, where 4G speeds are fast and fixed line services are slow. 4G CCTV is growing in popularity, as they don’t require direct power or a WiFi connection. 

4G Broadband

4G broadband packages are available, providing WiFi connection with up to 300GB monthly data allowance, on short-term contracts.

Managed 4G WiFi

Pre-configured 4G routers are available with next-day delivery, with a choice of contract terms for companies who want to monitor data usage and avoid bill shock.

4G Failover

Wireless 4G connectivity provides a powerful failover solution, ensuring there is a connection to central databases and systems if the fixed line fails. It can also provide primary connectivity in rural locations where fixed line speeds are not sufficient.

Many organisations use 4G for temporary connectivity initially, while they wait for the fixed line to be installed, and then continue to use it for failover afterwards – maximising the return on their investment.

4G CCTV

Data SIMs with static IP addresses within 4G routers allow users to access their CCTV camera footage, when fixed line connectivity is not available. Un-steered multi-network roaming SIM packages always connect to the strongest signal. External antenna can increase signal strength and routers are generally pre-configured for a plug-and play solution, that works in every location.

According to a recent report, global spending on IoT in manufacturing is predicted to grow from £1.3 billion in 2018 to £9.9 billion in 2024. IoT is enabling M2M devices, which Capgemini estimate will worth £5.45 billion by 2020.

Four key elements driving demand for IoT in manufacturing are cost reduction, shorter-time-to-market, mass customisation and a desire for improved safety.

Cost reduction

Optimising asset and inventory management can reduce machine downtime, make operations more agile, improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs.

Shorter time to market

Faster, more efficient manufacturing and supply chain management can reduce production times and get products to market faster.

Mass customisation

Products can be tailored and produced in volume. IoT facilitates mass customisation by becoming a source of real-time data.

Improved safety

IoT can help to make workplaces safer. Wearable devices can help to monitor potentially hazardous substances, giving employees early warning signs to put on protective equipment or evacuate the area.

EE

You may have read that EE launched the UK's first next-generation 5G mobile network, with a concert by Stormzy, live-streamed from a boat on the River Thames.

5G is promising to deliver a better mobile experience, delivering faster internet speeds and a more reliable data connection in busy places. EE is promoting a near-instant connection when opening apps and websites, playing games or connecting to smart home devices.5G is available on EE with 5G handsets in limited areas of Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

Vodafone

Vodafone is planning to switch on its 5G network for both consumers and direct business customers in seven cities across the UK in July 2019. Vodafone will also offer 5G roaming in the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain over the summer. Vodafone is pricing 5G the same as 4G and has four 5G smartphone models, with a home router due to launch shortly.

Three

Three announced that it will be switching on its 5G network in August. Three’s 5G network will initially be launched as a home broadband service in London, and then rolled out to the following places before the end of the year:

London, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Reading, Rotherham, Sheffield, Slough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton.

According to a recent report by ICOMIA, there are around six million recreational craft in Europe, with 32 million people boating every year. The market continues to expand between five and six percent per year.

There is a huge demand for faster, more reliable internet connectivity in port, for business and leisure. For example, the captain may need to run payroll, the chef, may need to download recipes to accommodate new dietary requirements and children may want to download music, movies and games using available 3G and 4G networks.

Resellers serving his market have put together competitive bundles consisting of routers and data SIM packages, which often work with in-vessel communication systems. The solutions allow users good 3G and 4G coverage and monitor data usage to help avoid bill shock.

Jola is providing Multi-network EU Roaming SIMs, which roam to the strongest network in each European country. Since no single network is prioritised, devices can roam to the strongest signal seamlessly.

Having a SIM card that can switch between networks enables businesses to get more from their device. Devices are less likely to stop working due to poor signal. Un-steered SIMs are important for mobile WiFi.

Step 1 – Outline your objectives

Social Media is another marketing tool, at our disposal. Objectives need to be set, strategies developed, and monitoring implemented, to measure success.

Step 2 – Identify and build your target audience

Social channels, like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, are great marketing tools, especially when integrated into a marketing strategy, bringing effective traditional and digital channels together. You can often research companies and individuals, to build up a better picture of their business and responsibilities. The richer the information to hand, the more targeted the messaging and the more effective the campaign can become.

Step 3 – Plan your posting schedule and content

Regular and relevant posting on social channels, built to communicate with prospects, can be very effective, as can engaging with prospect and customer posts. By creating powerful vertical market case studies, resellers can use them to attract similar companies, with the same problems.

Step 4 – Report on success

On social media we can get lost in statistics, numbers of followers, connections, likes, comments etc. To understand success, it is important to align measurements with objectives. For example, it doesn’t matter how many followers you have, if none are target audience.

Bus and coach companies are installing dashcams in vehicles to improve safety. 4G streaming devices are mounted on dashboards. They capture 12 seconds of video and audio when incidents take place. Systems record events which cause a higher than normal G-force automatically, as well as recording footage on demand.

The objective for many companies is to identify risky behaviours, to prevent accidents and improve safety. Companies installing dashcams have reported a 23% reduction in preventable collisions.

Typically, MSPs and specialists serving this market with M2M and IoT solutions, have partnered with the mobile networks directly for SIMs, however many have struggled with a lack of flexibility and control.

Jola is proposing an alternative to dealing with mobile networks directly. We offer a range of competitively-priced mobile data SIMs, including unique products you can’t buy from the mobile networks directly.

Our 1GB SIMs are cost-effective and meet common requirements, alternatively multi-network roaming SIMs are available. Using Mobile Manager, partners are able to order new SIMs and pools from a single supplier, add SIMs to pools, set up alerts and monitor the pool to monitor data usage.