How do APNs help with mobile data connectivity?

Issue 7 2021 IT infrastructure

APN stands for Access Point Name, the gateway that connects the mobile network with the Internet. It shows the identity of your mobile carrier so the device knows which network to connect to. The carrier or connectivity management platform then assigns the device an IP address and the corresponding encryption method. This information is stored in the SIM card so the mobile device only needs to read it.

There are different types of APN:

● Public APN: This is the default option that comes with all SIM subscriptions from providers. These settings enable users to access the open Internet just by adding the SIM to the device. For many IoT applications, public APN connectivity is more than sufficient. It is also cost-effective and very reliable.

● Private APN: This type is used to access a specific mobile network. The SIM subscription is provisioned in a specific APN gateway and requires configuration on the IoT device. Since it does not use the open Internet, the private network is often more secure. The APN gateway only provisions SIM subscriptions authorised by the customer.

● Managed APN: A connectivity service provider offers a fully managed custom APN on behalf of the customer. It is set up according to the client’s requirements and is essentially a private APN that is managed as-a-service and offers additional functionality, management tools and control. A managed APN can be used across multiple mobile networks. It also allows for flexible IP management (fixed IPs) as well as custom firewalls, VPN and data routing options.

For organisations with a fleet of mobile devices, there are several factors that make public and private APNs a challenge:

● Difficult for remote troubleshooting.

● Lack of control over SIM costs due to lack of visibility.

● No customisation options.

● Lack of control over data usage.

● Only supports one network.

● Problems scaling up SIMs.

● Unable to set spend limits on SIM level.

How a managed APN helps with IoT security

Managed APNs offer several benefits in terms of data security compared to using the public APN.

● Only provisioned devices can access the external corporate infrastructure since it is not exposed to the public Internet.

● For companies with a fleet of mobile devices, managed APN provides a secure, private tunnel that only allows authorised traffic into the corporate network.

● Allows security customisations like network settings and type of encryption, thus enhancing the security of the connections.

● Allows IPsec VPN connections set up to dedicated IP end-points.

● Provides complete visibility and control over the mobile fleet, enabling suspending and cancelling accounts in the case of compromise.

SIMcontrol's managed APN solution

Organisations using IoT and mobile devices require connectivity reliability and cost control for various applications. SIMcontrol provides end-to-end connectivity for mobile and IoT devices as a fully-managed APN solution.

Some of the key features of the managed APN platform include:

1. Centralised, easy-to-use management platform: the central dashboard provides visibility and control, enabling the management of SIMs from all networks on a single platform. It enables APN on prepaid and contract models. The platform includes in-depth reporting and analytics.

2. State-of-the-art networking technology: the cloud-based infrastructure is easily scalable and includes customisable security features, like firewall rules and SIM IP options (static, dynamic). Enabled for 2G, 3G, LTE and NB-IoT devices.

3. Advanced monitoring and control: you can set SIM quotas and enable instant SIM disconnections when reaching the limit. The dashboard allows you to check SIM data usage almost in real-time and track the location of the different devices.

A managed APN service offers organisations the control, flexibility, security and visibility they need over their mobile and IoT devices. It secures the data by controlling access to the customer network to provisioned devices. SIMcontrol managed APN services allow organisations to know exactly how much they are spending on data, to scale up or down without the hassle of long-term APN contracts and to manage multiple networks on a secure and reliable connectivity solution.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Data storage has a power consumption problem
IT infrastructure
We store data with electricity, placing data onto magnetic mediums or altering electric charges inside flash memory, but all that reading and writing requires electricity, which is becoming more expensive as supply crumbles.

Read more...
Veeam introduces new competency programme for partners
IT infrastructure News
Veeam Competency Programme for Veeam Value-Added Resellers and Veeam Cloud & Service Provider partners offers enhanced solution-oriented training and go-to-market capability development that increase credibility and visibility in the local marketplace.

Read more...
End the scourge of solar panel theft
Guardian Eye IT infrastructure Security Services & Risk Management
Modern solar installations are designed so they can be put together very quickly, but this means they can also be dismantled very quickly, and so there has been a massive spike in the theft of solar panels from roofs.

Read more...
Smart buildings require smarter networks
Commercial (Industry) IT infrastructure
The smart building is not a new concept, but it's more than just four walls built sustainably, but a network that interconnects people, processes, data, and things. Lots and lots of things.

Read more...
How international cloud trends impact Africa
Technews Publishing IT infrastructure
Enterprises are realising that hyperscale cloud is better suited to development and not everyday business, while the bills have also grown significantly as their cloud needs have become more complicated and sprawled.

Read more...
VMware unveils new security capabilities
Cyber Security IT infrastructure Products
At the RSA Conference 2023, VMware unveiled enhanced features for its suite of security solutions to address the increasing sophistication and scale of cyberattacks and to deliver strong lateral security across multi-cloud environments.

Read more...
Beyond the blackout
IT infrastructure Security Services & Risk Management
Julian Liebenberg, Chief of Cloud Platform Solutions at BCX discusses why cloud solutions are the future for large enterprises when dealing with the economic and productivity consequences of load shedding.

Read more...
AIOps-driven cloud management
IT infrastructure Products
Next generation of HPE Aruba Networking Central paves the way for the era of AI-powered network management; ‘Agile NaaS’ strategy simplifies delivery of critical network services via HPE GreenLake.

Read more...
Complex, but critical partner in security
Technews Publishing Bidvest Protea Coin Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions IT infrastructure Mining (Industry)
Smart Security looks at how drones can be applied effectively in mine security operations. The ability to quickly gain a birds-eye view of a situation, whether security, safety or operational in nature, makes drones a significant value-add to mines.

Read more...
The data must flow
Technews Publishing IT infrastructure Mining (Industry)
Amidst the dirt and dust, the data packets must always be moving in order for mines to remain on top of their environments, their people, their processes and equipment, and most importantly, the safety of everyone on site.

Read more...