While many people understand that GPS trackers work via satellites to determine location, there’s often confusion about why GPS trackers also require a SIM card for real time tracking.
In this article, we will dive into the core reason GPS trackers need SIM cards, how the technology works, and why the SIM card plays a critical role in ensuring seamless tracking.
GPS Satellite Positioning
Let’s quickly recap the role of satellites in the GPS (Global Positioning System). There is a network of GPS satellites orbiting Earth, continuously transmitting signals. A GPS tracker can use the information in these signals to work out precisely how far away each satellite is, and then with that calculate its precise location on Earth.
In simple terms, the GPS system provides the location of the tracker, but that’s where the role of the satellites ends.
The Role of SIM Cards in GPS Trackers
While GPS satellites provide location data, they don’t handle the communication of this information to the end user (like your smartphone or tracking platform). For a GPS tracker to send its location to another device (such as an app, website, or server), it requires a medium to transmit the data. This is where a SIM card comes into play.
SIM cards in GPS trackers function much like they do in your phone – they allow the device to connect to a cellular network. Through this connection, the GPS tracker can send its location data to a server, where it is processed and displayed on the user’s device. Without a SIM card, GPS trackers would not have a way to communicate with the outside world in real time. Let’s break down the main reasons why a SIM card is essential:
1. Real-Time Data Transmission
The most common use case for GPS trackers is real-time location tracking, where users want to know the precise location of a person or object at any given moment. For this to happen, the GPS tracker must continuously send its location data to a cloud server or directly to a device. This is typically done over a cellular network, and a SIM card provides the necessary connection.
Without a SIM card, GPS trackers would have to store location data on the device for later manual retrieval by the user.
2. Wide Area Coverage
With a multi-network 4G SIM installed a GPS tracker can make use of multiple cellular networks and providers – not being restricted to only one. This means vast and reliable coverage especially compared other communication methods like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
This is particularly crucial for GPS tracking in logistics and fleet management, where vehicles are constantly on the move across different locations with varying signal.
5. Sending Alerts and Commands
Beyond location data, many GPS trackers also need to send or receive other information, such as alerts (geofence breaches, low battery notifications) or commands (remote shut-off for vehicles). The SIM card enables two-way communication between the tracker and the user’s platform, facilitating these important interactions. This is particularly useful in vehicle tracking and security scenarios, where immediate action is required.
6. Cost Efficiency
Cellular networks are typically cost-effective for transmitting small amounts of data, which is what most GPS trackers do. A typical GPS tracker only needs to send a few bytes of data at a time (the location coordinates). The low data usage means SIM cards and the corresponding cellular data can be very affordable, often with pay-as-you-go or low-cost data packages designed for IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Alternatives to SIM-Card-Based GPS Trackers
While most GPS trackers use SIM cards to communicate over cellular networks, there are alternatives. Some devices use satellite communication systems (like Iridium or Globalstar), which don’t require cell networks but instead communicate directly with satellites. These are generally more expensive and are used in niche applications like deep-sea navigation or remote wilderness tracking.
Another alternative includes Bluetooth-based GPS trackers (like Tile or Apple AirTag), which communicate over short distances with nearby devices, but lack the range and real-time tracking capabilities of SIM-based systems.
Conclusion
While GPS satellites provide location information, GPS trackers need SIM cards in order to transmit that data in real-time, especially over long distances and across large areas. Without SIM cards, modern GPS trackers wouldn’t be nearly as efficient or practical and would often require the user to physically retrieve their device before they can access the tracking information.
GPS trackers from TrackrTek all come with a 4G SIM card installed, setup and prepaid with mobile data so they are ready to use right out of the box! – Find a device here
