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
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.
Proof SMS Messaging Gets Results: Giveaways and Contests
Companies use contests and giveaways all the time. It turns out that doing them over SMS messaging works really well, and offers some advantages over other channels. Read our blog to see the types of results various companies achieved when using SMS giveaways.
Is SMS Marketing Complicated?
How hard is it to use SMS marketing? If you’ve been told it’s complicated, you heard wrong. Using SMS is simple, though there are a few things you should know. This blog shows you how simple it can be, and provides links to useful resources.
A review of the EC directive for SMS marketing
SMS Marketing – Steering Clear of Spamming and Harassment
Executed properly, SMS direct marketing is a hugely effective and successful means of building customer loyalty and improving sales. But even genuine and honest marketing companies can suffer huge damage to reputation or even break the law through simply lacking knowledge or not double-checking before releasing campaigns. Read this article to learn more about the definitions of spamming and harassment, current UK law and how to avoid simple but costly mistakes.
SMS Marketing: An Essential Guide to PECR
The PECR Regulations, better known as the Privacy and Electronics Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 are one of the most important pieces of legislation affecting those involved in SMS Marketing. They exist to safeguard the privacy and use of personal information when used for direct marketing through electronic means, including communications by SMS. Parts of it crossover with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and where it does so, both pieces of legislation should be complied with. Unlike the DPA, the PECR is obligatory whether or not you process personal data in the course of your business. Read this essential guide to PECR for SMS Marketing to ensure you know everything you need to know.
ICO issues a huge fine for massive illegal SMS campaign
ICO, the Information Commissioner's Office, has recently imposed a huge fine on direct marketing company Help Direct UK for sending illegal SMS messages.
Why You Need a Blacklist and What It Can Teach You
One of the major metrics in SMS marketing is how many people opt in to receive your messages. But there’s a flip side to that metric: how many people opt out. In the ideal world, no one would ever leave your list and instead continue to make purchases or support your organisation for as long as you decide to message them.
What Your Customers Want From SMS Marketing
Mobile marketing offers an unprecedented access to your customers virtually any time, anywhere. This is particularly true for SMS marketing because it is “always on”. Customers don’t have to be surfing the web, or using an app to receive messages. Instead, they see the marketing messages right alongside ones from their friends and family.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing
In many of our previous posts, we have discussed the whys and hows of SMS marketing, listing the benefits, and the impacts on lead generation. There’s no doubt that by employing a marketing strategy that uses business SMS as a medium that your processes will become more efficient and your leads will become more targeted, meaning a better ROI. Here we will look at the best practices for SMS marketing to ensure your campaigns are offering the best for you and your users.