Business SIM-Only Plans
Give employees the mobile connectivity they need without paying for devices they do not
Your employees may already have suitable mobile phones.
The devices may still be supported, secure and capable of doing everything their roles require.
In that situation, replacing them simply to renew a mobile contract may create unnecessary cost.
A business SIM-only plan gives employees mobile calls, texts and data without including a new handset.
It can help your organisation reduce monthly spending, keep existing numbers and manage mobile services more flexibly.
But choosing a business SIM contract should involve more than finding the largest data allowance at the lowest headline price.
You also need to consider coverage, roaming, contract flexibility, shared data, security, support and what happens when an employee joins, changes role or leaves.
Stratiis helps organisations review, supply and manage business SIM-only services as part of a wider mobile and communications strategy.
Keep the devices that still work. Gain better control of the services behind them.
What is a business SIM-only plan?
A business SIM-only plan provides mobile network service without including the cost of a new smartphone.
The SIM may provide:
- Mobile calls
- SMS
- Mobile data
- Voicemail
- Wi-Fi calling
- International calling
- Roaming
- Data sharing
- Usage controls
- Business support
The SIM may be supplied as:
- A physical SIM card
- An eSIM
- A data-only SIM
- A voice and data SIM
- A shared or pooled-data service
- A multi-network service for specialist equipment
Business SIM-only plans may be used in:
- Company smartphones
- Employee-owned approved devices
- Tablets
- Mobile routers
- Laptops
- Connected equipment
- Backup internet devices
- Field-service devices
The right plan depends on the person, device and business use.
Why do businesses choose SIM-only contracts?
A SIM-only contract may make sense when:
- Existing phones remain suitable
- Devices have already been purchased separately
- Employees use approved personal phones
- The organisation wants lower monthly costs
- Different employees need different devices
- Hardware replacement dates are staggered
- The business wants more contract flexibility
- Employees need only calls and data
- The organisation wants to separate device and airtime costs
- A temporary or short-term user needs connectivity
It can also help reduce waste by avoiding unnecessary handset replacement.
The decision should still consider the age, security and support status of the existing devices.
Keeping an old phone is not a saving when it can no longer receive security updates or reliably support business applications.
Is your current mobile contract poor value?
Many organisations renew business mobile contracts without reviewing how services are actually used.
You may recognise some of these problems:
- Employees receive new phones they do not need
- Some users have too much data
- Others regularly exceed their allowance
- Former employees remain on the account
- Number ownership is unclear
- Employees claim personal mobile expenses
- International charges appear unexpectedly
- Roaming is activated without approval
- Several contracts renew on different dates
- Nobody knows which SIM belongs to which device
- Lost SIMs remain active
- Employees use personal numbers for business
- The business cannot see current usage
- Support requests are passed between providers
- Data-only SIMs are billed but cannot be located
- The contract no longer reflects hybrid or field working
A SIM-only review can help match each service to a genuine business requirement.
Our business SIM-only services
Stratiis can help with:
- Business voice and data SIMs
- Business data-only SIMs
- Physical SIM cards
- eSIMs
- Shared-data plans
- Pooled-data plans
- Individual allowances
- UK calls and texts
- International calling
- Roaming options
- Number porting
- New business numbers
- Usage reporting
- Spend controls
- Premium-rate restrictions
- Lost and stolen SIM management
- New starter services
- Leaver disconnection
- Multi-network IoT SIMs
- Tablet and laptop connectivity
- Mobile broadband SIMs
- Contract reviews
- Ongoing support
SIM-only plans or new mobile phones?
SIM-only may be the better option when:
- Existing phones remain supported
- Battery condition is acceptable
- Employees are satisfied with the devices
- Business applications work properly
- Security updates are still available
- The organisation wants lower monthly costs
- Device and airtime budgets are managed separately
New devices may be better when:
- Phones are no longer supported
- Batteries regularly fail
- Screens or ports are damaged
- Devices cannot run required applications
- Security updates have ended
- Employees need better cameras or performance
- The organisation wants standardised hardware
- Mobile Device Management compatibility is limited
- Repair costs are increasing
The mobile contract and hardware lifecycle should be reviewed together.
Business SIM-only plans versus consumer contracts
Consumer SIM-only plans may appear cheaper.
They are designed for an individual rather than an organisation managing many users and numbers.
A business mobile service may provide:
- Central billing
- Account-level support
- Multiple-user management
- Shared data
- Usage reporting
- Spend controls
- Call restrictions
- Number ownership
- Simplified replacements
- Contract coordination
- Business roaming options
- Dedicated account management
The exact benefits vary by provider and agreement.
For a sole trader or very small business, a consumer plan may appear adequate.
As the number of users grows, central control and support become more valuable.
Voice and data SIMs
A standard business mobile SIM may support:
- Incoming and outgoing calls
- Business SMS
- Mobile data
- Voicemail
- Wi-Fi calling
- Mobile hotspot use
- Roaming
- International calls
It may be used in:
- Company smartphones
- Approved employee-owned devices
- Field-service phones
- Sales-team devices
- Executive mobiles
- Reception or duty phones
The plan should reflect how the employee actually works.
A field employee may require much more data than someone who is normally connected to office Wi-Fi.
Data-only SIMs
A data-only SIM provides mobile connectivity without a standard voice-call allowance.
It may be used in:
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Mobile routers
- Internet failover equipment
- CCTV
- Sensors
- Digital signage
- Tracking devices
- Payment terminals
- Temporary-site equipment
Data-only plans should be selected according to:
- Expected monthly usage
- Coverage
- Device location
- Roaming
- Security
- Static or private addressing
- Contract length
- Monitoring
- Overuse controls
eSIMs
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into a supported mobile device.
It can be activated without inserting a physical SIM card.
Possible benefits include:
- Faster activation
- Easier remote deployment
- Less risk of losing a physical SIM
- Support for more than one mobile profile
- Easier switching between personal and business services
- Reduced postage and handling
- Useful international options
Availability depends on:
- Mobile network
- Device model
- Device lock status
- Operating system
- Provider support
The organisation should still track which number and service are assigned to each device.
Physical SIMs or eSIMs?
Physical SIMs may be suitable when:
- The device does not support eSIM
- Users regularly move SIMs between devices
- A quick local replacement is needed
- The organisation prefers a visible physical asset
- Existing support processes are built around physical SIMs
eSIMs may be suitable when:
- Employees work remotely
- Devices are deployed across several locations
- Faster activation is required
- Dual-number use is needed
- Physical SIM delivery creates delays
- Devices support secure remote enrolment
Many organisations may use both.
Shared and pooled data
Shared or pooled data allows several SIMs to use one combined data allowance.
For example, ten employees may share one total monthly data pool rather than each receiving the same fixed allowance.
This may help when:
- Individual usage varies
- Some employees use very little data
- Others occasionally need more
- The organisation wants to reduce repeated overage
- Central reporting is available
- Data demand changes between months
Shared data does not remove the need for usage controls.
One device may consume a large part of the pool through:
- Mobile hotspot use
- Video streaming
- Cloud backup
- Software updates
- CCTV
- A device fault
- Unapproved personal use
Usage should be monitored and unusual behaviour investigated.
Individual data allowances
Individual allowances may be better when:
- Departments manage their own budgets
- Users have predictable requirements
- High-use employees need dedicated capacity
- Cost attribution matters
- Shared use could create conflict
- Different roles require very different plans
The organisation may use a mixture of shared and individual plans.
How much mobile data does an employee need?
Data usage depends on how the employee works.
Low-use activities may include:
- Messaging
- Light web use
- Calendar access
- Authentication applications
Higher-use activities may include:
- Microsoft Teams meetings
- Video calls
- Mobile hotspot use
- Large file transfers
- Cloud applications
- Media uploads
- Remote desktop
- Navigation
- Field-service systems
A plan should be based on real usage where possible.
Providing unlimited data to every employee may be simple but unnecessarily expensive.
Providing too little data creates overage charges and disrupted work.
Unlimited data plans
Unlimited data can be useful for employees who:
- Work mainly in the field
- Use mobile hotspots
- Attend frequent video meetings
- Have unreliable fixed broadband
- Transfer large files
- Need predictable monthly cost
The organisation should understand:
- Fair-use policies
- Speed restrictions
- Tethering rules
- Roaming allowances
- International use
- Network-management policies
- Device restrictions
“Unlimited” does not always mean every type of usage is unrestricted in every location.
Mobile coverage
The best-priced plan provides little value when employees cannot get a reliable signal.
Coverage should be considered at:
- Main offices
- Employee homes
- Customer sites
- Rural locations
- Construction sites
- Warehouses
- Travel routes
- Frequently visited regions
- Overseas locations
Coverage maps provide guidance.
Actual performance can be affected by:
- Building materials
- Distance from a mast
- Local geography
- Network congestion
- Device capability
- Weather
- Indoor location
- Antenna design
Where mobile service is important, testing should take place in the real working environment.
One mobile network or several?
Some organisations use one network for every employee.
This can simplify:
- Billing
- Support
- Contract management
- Reporting
- Number administration
It may also create problems where one network has poor coverage at particular locations.
Using several networks may improve:
- Geographic coverage
- Resilience
- Field-worker connectivity
- Rural service
- Choice
It also increases administration.
A mixed-network approach may be appropriate for employees whose roles depend heavily on mobile coverage.
Multi-network SIM services
Multi-network SIMs may connect through more than one available mobile network.
They are commonly used for:
- IoT devices
- Remote routers
- Tracking equipment
- Temporary sites
- Critical connected services
They are less commonly used as ordinary employee voice SIMs, depending on provider capability.
A multi-network service may improve coverage.
It does not guarantee a connection in every building or location.
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling allows a supported mobile device to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection when mobile coverage is weak.
It may help in:
- Offices with poor indoor signal
- Rural buildings
- Basements
- Home-working environments
- Modern buildings with signal-blocking materials
Wi-Fi calling depends on:
- Device support
- Mobile provider support
- Wi-Fi quality
- Internet connectivity
- Correct device settings
- Firewall compatibility
It should not be treated as a substitute for a properly designed business phone platform where advanced call handling is required.
Number porting
Number porting allows an employee or organisation to keep an existing mobile number when moving to another provider.
Porting may involve:
- A porting authorisation code
- Account validation
- Number ownership checks
- Scheduled transfer
- New SIM activation
- Device restart
- Testing
The migration plan should confirm:
- Which number belongs to which employee
- Whether the number is owned by the business
- Whether personal and business numbers are mixed
- Which SIM should activate
- When the transfer will occur
- How employees will be informed
- What happens if the port is delayed
Who owns the mobile number?
The organisation should know whether each mobile number is:
- Owned by the business
- Owned personally by the employee
- Transferred into the business account
- Shared between roles
- Published to customers
- Used for authentication
- Linked to WhatsApp or other messaging
- Used on business cards and websites
A number used for customer relationships should normally remain under organisational control.
When an employee leaves, the business may need to:
- Retain the number
- Redirect calls
- Reassign it
- Update customer communications
- Remove it from authentication services
Keeping personal and business numbers separate
Employees may use one smartphone with:
- One physical SIM and one eSIM
- Two eSIM profiles
- A business calling application
- Separate personal and business numbers
This can help avoid carrying two devices.
The organisation should define:
- Who pays for the device
- Which number is published
- Which data plan is used
- How business data is protected
- What support is provided
- What happens when the employee leaves
- Whether Mobile Device Management is required
New business mobile numbers
Stratiis can help provide new numbers for:
- New starters
- New departments
- Duty phones
- Shared mobile roles
- Temporary workers
- Project teams
- Field staff
- Emergency contacts
Numbers should be recorded in the organisation’s asset and service register.
New starter SIMs
A mobile SIM should be included in the employee onboarding process.
The organisation should confirm:
- Role
- Device
- Mobile number
- Data allowance
- International requirements
- Roaming
- Call restrictions
- Security
- Mobile Device Management
- Delivery address
- Start date
- Cost centre
The SIM should be activated and tested before the employee needs it.
Leavers and SIM disconnection
When an employee leaves, the organisation should:
- Suspend or recover the SIM
- Retain or reassign the number
- Remove access to mobile applications
- Remove the device from management
- Update authentication methods
- Remove voicemail
- Redirect customer calls where required
- Update the asset register
- Review outstanding charges
- Securely wipe business data
A former employee should not retain access to a business-funded number, mobile data or company systems.
Lost or stolen SIMs
A lost or stolen phone may expose:
- The business number
- Mobile data
- Text messages
- Authentication codes
- Business applications
- Customer contacts
- Cloud services
The response process should include:
- Report the loss
- Suspend the SIM
- Lock or wipe the managed device
- Reset relevant account access
- Review suspicious activity
- Provide a replacement
- Update the asset register
- Record the incident
SIM suspension alone may not protect information already stored on the device.
Mobile security
A SIM-only plan is one part of the mobile service.
The organisation also needs controls for the device and business accounts.
Security may include:
- Strong screen locks
- Device encryption
- Multi-factor authentication
- Mobile Device Management
- Supported operating systems
- Application controls
- Remote wipe
- Anti-phishing protection
- Secure Wi-Fi use
- VPNs
- Regular updates
- Lost-device reporting
SIM-swap fraud
SIM-swap fraud occurs when a criminal persuades or tricks a mobile provider into transferring a victim’s number to another SIM.
This can allow them to receive calls and text messages intended for the genuine user.
The risk matters when SMS is used for:
- Account recovery
- Multi-factor authentication
- Banking
- Business applications
- Customer systems
Possible controls include:
- Strong mobile-account security
- Restricted account administrators
- Provider security PINs
- Prompt reporting of unexpected service loss
- Authentication applications rather than SMS where suitable
- User awareness
- Monitoring account changes
A sudden loss of mobile service should be investigated, particularly when other account activity appears suspicious.
Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management, often shortened to MDM, helps organisations control and protect business smartphones and tablets.
It may support:
- Device enrolment
- Security policies
- Application deployment
- Remote lock
- Remote wipe
- Compliance checks
- Encryption
- Wi-Fi settings
- Email configuration
- Work-profile separation
- Asset visibility
A SIM-only plan does not automatically provide device management.
The airtime and security services should be designed together.
Mobile application management
Some organisations need to protect business applications without managing the employee’s entire personal device.
Mobile application controls may help:
- Protect company data
- Require approved authentication
- Prevent copying into personal applications
- Remove business data selectively
- Control file sharing
- Secure email and documents
This may be useful in Bring Your Own Device environments.
Call and spend controls
A business mobile account may support restrictions on:
- Premium-rate numbers
- International calls
- Roaming
- Chargeable text services
- Mobile purchases
- Data overage
- Personal hotspot use
- Particular destinations
Controls should reflect the employee’s role.
A sales director travelling internationally may need different permissions from an office-based employee.
Premium-rate and chargeable services
Premium services can create unexpected costs.
They may include:
- Premium-rate calls
- Subscription messages
- Directory services
- Mobile content purchases
- Charity donations
- Competition entries
- Third-party billing
Where these services are not required, they may be blocked.
The organisation should also review unexpected charges quickly.
International calling
Employees may need to call customers, suppliers or colleagues overseas.
The plan should consider:
- Countries called
- Frequency
- Call length
- Included destinations
- Out-of-bundle rates
- Microsoft Teams alternatives
- Hosted Voice
- Internet-based calling
- Role-based permissions
International calling should be enabled only where it serves a business requirement.
Mobile roaming
Roaming allows a SIM to connect to a mobile network outside its home country.
The organisation should understand:
- Included destinations
- Daily charges
- Data allowances
- Fair-use limits
- Call charges
- Text charges
- Tethering
- Cruise or satellite networks
- Restricted countries
- Travel passes
Employees should not assume their normal UK allowance applies everywhere.
Roaming outside Europe
Travel outside standard roaming zones can create significant charges.
Before travel, the organisation should confirm:
- Destination
- Length of stay
- Expected data use
- Available roaming package
- Local Wi-Fi
- Security
- Hotspot requirements
- Whether a local or travel eSIM is appropriate
- Whether calls can use Teams or Hosted Voice
Video meetings, file uploads and automatic backups can consume mobile data quickly.
Mobile roaming policies
A business roaming policy may explain:
- Who can activate roaming
- Which destinations are covered
- When approval is required
- How data should be used
- Whether hotspots are permitted
- Which applications should be restricted
- How unexpected charges are reported
- Which security precautions apply
Employees should receive travel guidance before leaving the UK.
Mobile hotspots and tethering
A smartphone can share its mobile connection with a laptop or other device.
This may help during:
- Travel
- Broadband outages
- Customer-site work
- Temporary locations
- Remote working
Hotspot use can consume significant data.
It may also create security concerns when used as a long-term replacement for managed connectivity.
For repeated or team use, a managed mobile router may be more appropriate.
SIM-only plans for home and hybrid workers
Hybrid employees may use mobile data when:
- Home broadband fails
- Travelling
- Working from customer sites
- Joining calls away from Wi-Fi
- Accessing authentication applications
- Using mobile business applications
The plan should consider:
- Data allowance
- Coverage at home
- Hotspot use
- Wi-Fi calling
- Device management
- Business continuity
- Support
A mobile plan should complement the hybrid-working strategy rather than become an unmanaged substitute for suitable home connectivity.
SIM-only plans and Microsoft Teams
Employees can use Microsoft Teams through a smartphone’s mobile data connection.
This may support:
- Chat
- Meetings
- Teams Phone
- File access
- Calendar
- Collaboration
Data use can increase when employees:
- Join video meetings
- Share screens
- Download recordings
- Transfer large files
- Use Teams Phone frequently over mobile data
The organisation should decide whether business calls use:
- The native mobile number
- Microsoft Teams Phone
- Hosted Voice applications
- A combination
SIM-only plans and Hosted Voice
Hosted Voice mobile applications can allow an employee to make and receive business calls from a smartphone.
This may help keep:
- Business caller identity
- Company call history
- Personal numbers private
- Call-routing features
- Voicemail
- Business availability
The SIM provides mobile data and native mobile service.
The Hosted Voice application provides the business calling platform.
SIM-only plans and Unified Communications
A business mobile service can form part of a wider communications strategy.
Employees may use:
- Mobile calls
- Business SMS
- Microsoft Teams
- Hosted Voice
- Video meetings
- Contact-centre applications
- Customer messaging
- Presence and availability
The goal should be to give employees a clear communication experience rather than several overlapping numbers and applications.
SIM-only plans for field workers
Field employees may rely heavily on mobile connectivity for:
- Job schedules
- Navigation
- Customer records
- Photos
- Forms
- Signatures
- Teams
- Calls
- Safety applications
Their plan may require:
- Higher data
- Strong regional coverage
- Roaming
- Mobile hotspot use
- Rugged devices
- Mobile Device Management
- Remote support
- Rapid SIM replacement
Coverage should be reviewed across the areas where they actually work.
SIM-only plans for tablets and laptops
Tablets and laptops may include built-in mobile connectivity.
A data SIM or eSIM can allow them to connect without relying on:
- Public Wi-Fi
- Personal hotspots
- Customer networks
- Home broadband
This may be useful for:
- Executives
- Field workers
- Housing officers
- Surveyors
- Sales employees
- Temporary sites
- Remote support teams
The device should still use approved security controls.
SIM-only plans for backup internet
A data SIM may be installed in a router to provide:
- 4G failover
- 5G failover
- Temporary office connectivity
- Remote-site internet
- Emergency service
The plan should reflect:
- Expected user numbers
- Data use
- Signal
- Contract term
- Monitoring
- Static or private IP requirements
- Automatic failover
- External antennas
SIM-only plans for accountancy firms
Accountancy firms may use business SIMs for:
- Partners
- Client-facing employees
- Payroll teams
- Remote workers
- Multi-factor authentication
- Teams
- Hosted Voice
- Travel
- Emergency connectivity
The organisation should ensure that client and business information remains protected on mobile devices.
Numbers used for client relationships should normally remain under business ownership.
SIM-only plans for housing associations
Housing associations may need mobile services for:
- Housing officers
- Repairs teams
- Property employees
- Customer-service managers
- Lone workers
- Remote offices
- Tablets
- Routers
- Connected equipment
Employees working across large geographic areas may need different network options according to coverage.
Data allowances should reflect use of housing systems, photographs, forms, Teams and navigation.
SIM-only plans for charities
Charities may use SIM-only services for:
- Employees
- Volunteers
- Outreach teams
- Service-delivery staff
- Events
- Temporary projects
- Tablets
- Mobile routers
- Lone workers
The organisation should keep clear records of temporary and grant-funded services.
SIMs should be cancelled or reassigned when projects end.
SIM-only plans for professional services firms
Professional services organisations may use business SIMs for:
- Client calls
- Teams
- Secure applications
- Travel
- Hybrid working
- Mobile hotspot backup
- Executive connectivity
The service should balance professional availability with clear separation between personal and business use.
SIM-only plans for construction and engineering
Construction and engineering organisations may require:
- High-data plans
- Strong regional coverage
- Rugged-device SIMs
- Tablet connectivity
- Temporary-site routers
- Tracking equipment
- International roaming
- Multi-network IoT services
Mobile services should be tracked carefully as sites open, move and close.
Benefits of business SIM-only plans
Lower monthly cost
You do not pay for a new handset as part of every contract.
Better hardware flexibility
Devices can be purchased and replaced according to business need.
Less unnecessary replacement
Supported phones can remain in use for longer.
Easier number retention
Existing business numbers can normally be ported.
Central management
Users, numbers and services can be managed through one account.
Better data control
Shared, individual and high-use plans can be matched to different roles.
Improved cost visibility
Airtime and hardware spending can be reviewed separately.
Faster deployment
SIMs and eSIMs can often be activated without sourcing a new handset.
Support for more device types
SIM-only services can connect phones, tablets, routers and specialist equipment.
What are the disadvantages of SIM-only plans?
Existing devices may be unsuitable
Old phones may no longer be secure or reliable.
Hardware costs are separate
The organisation must budget for replacement devices.
Mixed devices can increase support complexity
Employees may use several models and operating-system versions.
Data use can still create unexpected charges
Shared pools and unlimited plans need monitoring.
Coverage varies
One network may not suit every employee or location.
Roaming can be expensive
International use requires planning.
Device security is not included automatically
SIM service does not replace Mobile Device Management or security policies.
Contract savings may be overstated
The total cost should include device purchase, repairs and support.
Common business SIM-only mistakes
Renewing every user onto the same plan
Roles and data use vary.
Keeping unsupported phones
A cheaper contract does not make an insecure device acceptable.
Failing to track numbers
The organisation may lose control when employees leave.
Allowing personal numbers for customer relationships
Customers may continue calling a former employee.
Giving unlimited data to everyone
This may create unnecessary cost.
Providing too little data
Overage and disrupted work can outweigh the saving.
Ignoring mobile coverage
The cheapest network may perform poorly where employees work.
Failing to control roaming
Unexpected travel use can create significant charges.
Leaving former employees active
Unused SIMs continue generating cost and risk.
Using SMS for every authentication process
More secure authentication methods may be available.
Separating airtime from security
The SIM, device and business accounts should be managed together.
What should you look for in a business SIM provider?
Strong network coverage
The provider should help assess where employees need service.
Flexible plan options
Different roles may need different allowances.
Shared data
Pooled plans can reduce wasted allowance where they suit the organisation.
Number-porting support
Existing numbers should be migrated through a controlled process.
Central account management
The organisation should be able to see users, numbers and usage.
Spend controls
Premium, roaming and overage restrictions should be available.
eSIM support
This may simplify remote and dual-number deployment.
Business support
You need a clear route for lost SIMs, porting and service faults.
Security understanding
The provider should consider device management and account protection.
Transparent pricing
You should understand:
- Monthly airtime
- Data allowances
- Overage
- Roaming
- International calls
- eSIM charges
- Replacement SIMs
- Contract terms
- Early termination
- Support
Questions to ask before choosing SIM-only plans
- Which devices will use the SIMs?
- Are the existing phones still supported?
- How much data does each role use?
- Would shared data reduce cost?
- Which mobile network has the best coverage?
- Do some employees need another network?
- Are calls and texts included?
- Is Wi-Fi calling supported?
- Are mobile hotspots permitted?
- Which countries are included for roaming?
- What happens outside the roaming zone?
- Can premium-rate services be blocked?
- Can spending limits be set?
- Are eSIMs supported?
- Who owns each mobile number?
- Can existing numbers be ported?
- How quickly can a lost SIM be suspended?
- How are new starters added?
- How are leavers removed?
- How long is the contract?
- What happens if user numbers fall?
- Can the plan integrate with mobile management?
Our business SIM-only process
1
Discovery
We begin by understanding:
- Number of users
- Employee roles
- Current devices
- Current mobile providers
- Data use
- Coverage
- Roaming
- International calling
- Remote working
- Field work
- Tablets and routers
- Security
- Contract dates
- Current costs
2
Existing mobile audit
We review:
- Mobile numbers
- SIM assignments
- Device assignments
- Data allowances
- Usage
- Overage
- Roaming
- Premium charges
- Contract end dates
- Former employees
- Shared devices
- Data-only SIMs
- Number ownership
- Current support issues
3
Device suitability review
We assess whether existing devices remain:
- Supported
- Secure
- Reliable
- Compatible with required applications
- Suitable for Mobile Device Management
- Appropriate for the employee’s role
- In good physical condition
Devices that remain suitable can be retained.
4
Coverage and user review
We consider:
- Offices
- Employee homes
- Field locations
- Rural areas
- Travel routes
- Customer premises
- International destinations
Different networks may be considered where coverage varies.
5
Plan design
We recommend an appropriate mix of:
- Voice and data SIMs
- Data-only SIMs
- Shared data
- Individual allowances
- High-data plans
- Unlimited plans
- eSIMs
- Roaming options
- International calling
- Usage controls
- Mobile-router services
6
Number-porting plan
Where numbers are retained, we confirm:
- Current number
- User
- Provider
- Account owner
- Porting details
- New SIM
- Transfer date
- Employee communication
- Testing
- Escalation process
7
Security and control setup
We configure or coordinate:
- Account administrators
- Security PINs
- Spend controls
- Premium-rate restrictions
- International permissions
- Roaming
- Lost-SIM process
- Mobile Device Management
- Asset records
8
Deployment
Deployment may include:
- Physical SIM delivery
- eSIM activation
- Number porting
- Device configuration
- Application setup
- Wi-Fi calling
- User guidance
- Testing
- Asset registration
9
User guidance
Employees may receive guidance covering:
- SIM activation
- Business number
- Data use
- Roaming
- Mobile hotspot use
- Lost-device reporting
- Security
- Support
- Personal use
- International travel
10
Ongoing management
Stratiis can continue to support:
- New starters
- Leavers
- Number changes
- Lost SIMs
- Replacement SIMs
- eSIM activation
- Usage
- Overage
- Roaming
- Contract reviews
- Plan changes
- Mobile routers
- Device management
- Mobile security
Frequently asked questions
What is a business SIM-only plan?
A business SIM-only plan provides mobile calls, texts and data without including a new handset.
Is SIM-only cheaper than a phone contract?
It is normally cheaper monthly because the plan does not include the cost of a new device.
The total cost should still include device purchase, repair and replacement.
Can we keep our existing phones?
Yes, where the devices remain supported, secure and suitable for business use.
Can we keep our existing mobile numbers?
In most cases, yes.
Numbers can normally be transferred through the mobile number-porting process.
Can we move personal numbers into a business account?
This may be possible with the appropriate account-holder approval and porting information.
The organisation should confirm who will own the number afterwards.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital mobile SIM built into a supported device.
It can be activated without inserting a physical SIM card.
Can one phone have a personal and business number?
Yes, where the device supports dual SIM or eSIM.
The organisation should define how business data and support are managed.
What is a shared-data plan?
A shared-data plan allows several business SIMs to use one combined monthly data allowance.
Is shared data better than individual allowances?
It can be where usage varies between employees.
Individual allowances may provide clearer control for particular roles or departments.
How much data does a business user need?
The amount depends on video use, hotspot use, cloud applications, file transfers and time spent away from Wi-Fi.
Real usage should be reviewed where available.
Is unlimited data genuinely unlimited?
Plans may still include fair-use, tethering, roaming or network-management conditions.
The terms should be checked.
Can SIM-only plans include Wi-Fi calling?
Yes, where supported by the mobile provider and device.
Can employees use mobile hotspots?
Usually, where the plan and policy allow it.
Hotspot use can consume significant data.
Can premium-rate calls be blocked?
Yes, many business accounts allow restrictions on premium and chargeable services.
Can international calls be restricted?
Yes.
Permissions can be matched to the employee’s role.
Does roaming work everywhere?
No.
Coverage, included destinations and charges vary by plan and country.
Can we receive alerts when an employee uses too much data?
Many business mobile services provide usage reporting or alerts.
The available controls depend on the provider.
What happens when a phone is lost?
The SIM should be suspended immediately.
The device may also need to be locked or wiped through Mobile Device Management.
Can Stratiis provide data SIMs for tablets?
Yes.
Data-only physical SIMs or eSIMs may be used in supported tablets and laptops.
Can Stratiis provide SIMs for 4G or 5G routers?
Yes.
Data SIMs can support temporary connectivity and internet failover.
Can Stratiis manage new starters and leavers?
Yes.
Stratiis can help activate, reassign, suspend and cancel services as employees change.
How long are business SIM-only contracts?
Contract lengths vary by provider and plan.
The organisation should understand the minimum term, notice period and charges for reducing user numbers.
How much do business SIM-only plans cost?
The cost depends on:
- Number of users
- Mobile network
- Calls and texts
- Data allowance
- Shared data
- Unlimited data
- Roaming
- International calling
- Contract length
- eSIM support
- Management
- Support
A review of current usage normally produces the most accurate recommendation.
Reduce mobile cost without losing control of numbers, data or security
A SIM-only contract can be a straightforward way to reduce unnecessary mobile spending.
But the cheapest plan is not always the best business service.
Employees need reliable coverage. The organisation needs control of numbers and usage. Roaming and premium services need sensible restrictions, and mobile devices still need to be secured.
Stratiis can help you review your current mobile estate, retain suitable devices and match each employee or device to the right service.
Let’s remove unnecessary handset costs while keeping your business mobile services visible, secure and easy to manage.
