Three Business data SIMs

What a Three Business data SIM is

A data SIM carries mobile data only: no phone number for calls and no texts in the plan. You put it in a device that needs internet rather than a phone line, and that device connects to the Three network on its own.

Three Business sells data SIM plans as part of its business SIM range and offers them as eSIM or physical SIM. An eSIM is downloaded to a compatible device instead of being posted and inserted, which is handy for laptops and tablets that are handed out remotely. See business eSIM for how eSIM provisioning works.

Data SIMs belong in data devices: calls and texts made by putting one in a phone are charged at Three's Outside of Allowance rates. For a general explainer that covers all networks, see our guide to the business data SIM.

What you can use one in

Three Business data SIMs are designed for devices that need to get online away from Wi-Fi:

• Tablets. iPads and Android tablets with a SIM slot or eSIM, for field staff, delivery drivers, sales teams and front-of-house.
• Laptops with built-in mobile connectivity. The laptop connects on its own wherever there is signal, without a hotspot.
• Mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi) routers. A data SIM in a portable router shares the connection with several devices; see Three Business mobile broadband.
• Routers and gateways. A data SIM in a 4G or 5G router can provide a site connection or a backup line; see choosing a 5G business router.

For machines rather than people, such as card terminals, CCTV, alarms and sensors, networks usually recommend IoT SIMs designed for devices, with features like locking a SIM to its device. Tell us what the devices are and we will match each to the right SIM.

When a data SIM beats a hotspot

Many teams start by tethering laptops to their phones. It works occasionally, but it has drawbacks: the phone's battery drains fast, the laptop only connects when the phone's owner is nearby, and phone data allowances are designed for one person.

A data SIM in the device itself, or a dedicated MiFi, is usually better when:

• The device is used away from Wi-Fi most days, not just now and then
• The device is shared, or handed between shifts
• You want usage reported per device rather than buried in someone's phone bill
• You want to control data use separately from phone use
• The device needs to connect as soon as it is switched on, with no one setting up a hotspot

A single MiFi is often better than several data SIMs when a small group usually works together in one place, because one connection serves everyone. A data SIM is better when each device moves independently.

Keeping data use under control

Data SIMs can run up costs quietly, particularly in devices that download updates or sync large files in the background. Three Business gives you several ways to stay in control:

1. Set a spend cap on each data SIM in your Three Business account, choosing the maximum you are willing to pay on top of the plan
2. Use Three Analyst, Three Business's online bill analytics, to see usage and spend by line and export reports
3. Consider Three Mobile Protect for up to 25 devices, which lets you set data caps and manage non-work apps on Android and iOS devices
4. For larger fleets, enrol tablets in a device management service such as Three Device Management or your own MDM so updates, apps and settings are controlled centrally

Our guide to mobile device management software explains how MDM helps with tablets and other shared devices.

Three's small print: "Spend Caps and limits are allocated on a per SIM basis." Three Analyst: "See full terms and conditions on Three Analyst." Three Mobile Protect and Three Device Management: "Minimum term applies. Three Business product terms apply."

Rolling out data SIMs to a team

Ordering one data SIM is simple. Rolling out twenty tablets to field staff takes a little more planning, and getting it right first time saves a lot of support later:

1. List the devices, who uses them, where they work and roughly how much data each role needs
2. Check Three Business coverage at the main locations, including inside buildings
3. Decide between eSIM and physical SIM for each device type; eSIM avoids posting and fitting SIMs but needs a compatible device
4. Register the devices with your MDM and, where possible, an enrolment programme such as Apple Business Manager or Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment, so they configure themselves when switched on
5. Set app, update and data policies in the MDM before devices go out, including Wi-Fi-only updates
6. Set a spend cap on every data SIM and agree who reviews usage each month
7. Label devices and SIMs against users so you can find and suspend a line quickly if a device is lost

We can help with each step, from the order to the enrolment set-up. See zero-touch enrolment for how out-of-the-box enrolment works.

Roaming with a data SIM

Three Business data SIM plans can be used abroad in over 160 Go Roam destinations. Unless the plan includes roaming, a daily charge unlocks your UK allowance, and fair use policies apply. Larger businesses (over 75 employees) on Three Business Enterprise plans have separate Enterprise Go Roam roaming, confirmed at quote.

Our Three Business roaming guide covers Go Roam, Passes and inclusive roaming, and our general guide to business roaming covers controls for travelling teams.

Three's small print: "Roaming in the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man is excluded from the daily charge. Unlimited data, minutes and texts are UK only, our fair use policies apply in Go Roam destinations. See our current price guide for full details." "If you put the SIM from your mobile broadband device into a device that can make and receive calls and texts these will be charged at Outside of Allowance rates."

Choosing plans and getting a quote

Three Business data only SIMs come with Unlimited, 500GB or 80GB data on 24-month plans, as an eSIM or a physical SIM. Pricing depends on the number of SIMs and the data you need, so ask us for a quote. For data-only SIM plans on their own, see our sister site for business SIM only plans.

If you would like help choosing between a data SIM, a MiFi and a 5G router, or with setting up eSIMs and device management for a batch of tablets, we can help. Read our main Three Business guide for the wider picture.

Contact us to talk about Three Business data SIMs.