What are SIM farms and why you want to avoid them

Like Google, you may think a SIM farm is an old video game (go ahead, Google it!). But when it comes to SMS messaging, a SIM farm is nothing like a fun and harmless video game. SIM in this context is referring to a subscriber identity module, or SIM card in a mobile device. Every mobile on a GSM network uses one. It contains information about the owner and mobile including number, contact lists, network authorisation.
So imagine a large group of these SIM cards, connected to computer servers rather than in individual mobile devices. Then imagine someone selling SMS services using that set of SIMS and servers to connect to mobile networks. Then you have a SIM farm.
But that doesn’t sound so bad does it? If you’re the one trying to send SMS messages using the farm, it is bad. Here are three reasons why:
The setup is technically inferior – Using a SIM farm as your primary method of sending SMS messages is the same as hiring a bunch of people to send your texts using their mobiles. SIM cards can only handle a small amount of messages at a time, so if you’re sending bulk messages they won’t all go out in a timely fashion. And because the SIM has just a single connection to the mobile network, if the there’s any kind of error in that connection, your message will get lost and never delivered. Without redundancy and an infrastructure built to handle large amounts of messages, SIM farms can’t compete with legitimate SMS providers performance.
They violate network fair usage agreements – In the fine print that no one reads, most networks include wording that prohibit bulk SMS messages being sent from one SIM card. This is because thousands, or even millions, of people share the same network resources. If one person tried to send 100,000 messages at once using a SIM card, it would overload the network and other people’s messages wouldn’t get through. That’s why it’s often referred to as “fair usage” in contracts. It tries to ensure everyone shares the network resources evenly. Good SMS providers handle large message volumes in a variety of ways including throttling message volume and using approved SMS gateways that feed directly to the mobile networks without using the resources allocated to SIMs.
You can be guilty by association – SIM farm is a derogatory term. This is because they are usually connected to organisations that send SMS spam. Mobile networks have taken measures to find and block SIM cards being used by SIM farms. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) conducts raids on SIM farms to shut them down due to the spam complaints they receive. If you’re a legitimate business using a SIM farm that gets shut down by the network or the ICO, you may get caught up in the investigation.
So why do businesses use SIM farms? Mostly because they are cheap. They offer unbelievably cheap per message pricing. But as the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. There are even more reasons you don’t want to use a SIM farm such as the inability to specify a label number (like a VMN or shortcode). But the three I mentioned above are by far the most important.
But often the businesses that use them know they can send spam through them easily. Until they get caught that is. If you suspect your provider might be a SIM farm, contact them and see if they’ll answer your questions about their SMS gateway. Their response might be all you need to know if they are or they aren’t. Good SMS providers will be willing to explain their services to you in detail. If you’re still in doubt, shop around. Look at more than just prices. Compare services and features to what you have now. Chances are you’ll be able to tell the good from the bad.
Related Articles
Why SMS Marketing is Superior to Email for Entrepreneurs
As an entrepreneur, it is notoriously difficult to get your message out there. It's even harder to get seen and heard in a meaningful way that doesn't offend people. Email marketing has been the darling of entrepreneurs for years, but it's time for something new. Something that supersedes the email and circumvents the spam folder.
3 Important SMS Marketing Concepts You Need to Know
If you are looking to get going with SMS marketing it's worth learning a bit about the "tricks of the trade" so you avoid the common pitfalls and get off on the right foot. Read about three important marketing concepts that will maximise your success in this venture.
Why Brits are Lucky When it Comes to SMS Spam
SMS spam is a problem worldwide. But in the UK, we’re less likely to get it than many other countries. Find out why that is, see some examples, and how you can do your part to keep your SMS messages free of spam.
SMS and the Future of Sales and Marketing
Four years ago, reputable commentators in The Guardian were wondering if SMS - short message service or text messaging - had peaked in performance after a two-decade exponential rise. Here we look at the evidence which shows that SMS is not only going strong, but continuing to stand out as an essential marketing channel for many businesses.
4 Simple Steps to Staying Compliant When Using SMS Messaging
Yet another company (Quigley and Carter Limited) have been fined by the ICO for not having permission to send SMS messages. In this case, they had outsourced their marketing to a third party who then sent messages on their behalf. So is staying compliant with the regulations regarding SMS messaging so difficult? It doesn’t have to be.
Advantages & Disadvantages of SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is very different to most other more traditional marketing tools, specifically because of its short-form, text only nature. This certainly shouldn't put you off though. We have put together our guide to both the best things about SMS marketing and some of the potential problems, and how to work around them.
SMS Marketing – A Brief Guide to the Data Protection Act 1998
Any UK business that collects, stores and uses other people’s personal data for purposes such as marketing and selling is subject to the rules of the Data Protection Act, and those using SMS marketing are no exception. Having a basic understanding of the DPA legislation and its main requirements is useful to maintain best practice in direct marketing such as SMS marketing and also helps to uphold your hard won customer trust - as well as avoid the potentially costly consequences of falling foul of the law. Read this article to learn how to avoid the simple pitfalls and get your SMS marketing campaign off to the right start.
What You Can Learn From a Bad SMS Message
In last week’s blog I covered how the Trump campaign sent unsolicited SMS messages to voters. This week I’m stuck on the same topic, but from a totally different angle: what we can learn from that failure. Because honestly, their biggest issue might not be violating the law. It might be the people they have writing their SMS messages. It’s time to dissect the message that spawned the law suit, and learn what we can from it.
Here’s Why SMS Marketing Is Literally The Best Idea Ever
Is SMS marketing the worst idea ever? That’s the opinion of one author in Entrepreneur Magazine. He gives five reasons why companies should never bother sending SMS messages to customers. I take him on, point by point to show why he’s wrong and SMS marketing is the best idea ever.
A Demonstration on How Not to Build Your SMS List
Over the last month or so I've signed up for quite a lot of webinars. I'm always trying to learn more about technology, marketing, best practices – you get the idea. So I've been excited to see many organisations offering SMS reminders for webinars. But there is one experience I had with an SMS reminder for a webinar that I simply had to share.