
1. Technology overview
1NCE is a German IoT connectivity and software company founded in 2017 in Cologne by Alexander P. Sator together with Deutsche Telekom. It offers a flat-rate global IoT SIM so that companies can connect low-data devices at a predictable, low cost, and builds software that makes it easier to put those devices into service.
1NCE OS, launched in 2023, is included with the subscription. It handles secure device authentication through the SIM, an IoT Integrator that translates UDP, CoAP and LwM2M traffic to AWS IoT Core or webhooks, a Device Inspector for remote access to device state and telemetry, Whereabouts cell-based location without GPS, and an Energy Saver that optimises payloads. In January 2026 the company said it manages more than 40 million devices for 30,000 customers in 17 industries across 170+ countries and regions.
2. Highlighted features & specifications
- Global IoT SIM: one flat-rate SIM working on LTE-M, NB-IoT and 2G/3G/4G networks in more than 170 countries and regions.
- Device Authentication: secure automated onboarding using the SIM as the trust anchor.
- IoT Integrator: managed translation of UDP, CoAP and LwM2M traffic to AWS IoT Core and webhooks.
- Device Inspector: remote view of device state and recent telemetry to cut field visits.
- Whereabouts: cell-tower-based device location as an alternative to GPS.
- Energy Saver and Insights: payload optimisation for battery life and anonymised network-wide benchmarks.
3. Potential application
A Vietnamese maker of trackers or smart meters can ship devices with one SIM that works in export markets and onboard them automatically. A smart lighting or smart city project can connect thousands of street lights without local carrier contracts. An agritech firm can connect weather stations and soil sensors across remote farms.
4. Benefits
A one-time lifetime flat price, cited at 10 USD or 10 EUR per SIM, makes connectivity cost per device predictable, with the company citing costs as low as one dollar per device per year. 1NCE OS tools are included at no extra charge, so device makers avoid building their own onboarding and protocol layers. Network-based location can replace GPS on cost-sensitive trackers, and Energy Saver is cited to extend battery life by up to 50%.
5. Market trends & opportunities
Massive IoT deployments such as meters, trackers and smart lighting need connectivity that costs cents per month and works across borders. LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage is expanding in Southeast Asia, and device makers exporting from the region want a single SIM and software stack for many markets instead of local carrier contracts.
6. Other information
Founded in 2017 in Cologne by Alexander P. Sator with Deutsche Telekom; co-CEO Ivo Rook. SoftBank Corp. took an equity stake in 2022 and is the exclusive seller in 19 Asia-Pacific markets; an APAC online shop managed from Singapore launched in October 2023 covering markets including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Named a CRN Top 10 Hottest IoT Startup of 2025.
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