Austrian MVNO HoT is offering a new tariff specifically for the Internet of Things (IoT). The HoT Smart Control, as the tariff is called, includes 500 MB of data for €1.90 (US $2.32) for 30 days. Calls and text messages cost 3.9 eurocents (US $0.05) per minute or per text message. The tariff enables users to control IoT devices efficiently.

Customers can also sign up for the HoT Smart Control for one year at a price of €19.90 (US $24.33). In this case, the tariff includes 10 GB of data. Calls and text messages cost 3.9 eurocents per minute or per text message. Hot has set up a web interface for customers to manage their smart devices. It will also offer IoT tariffs in cooperation with other companies, according to a report.

Tarifica’s Take

With consumer use of IoT devices—such as smart homes, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, robotic devices, and more—on the rise, mobile operators, including virtual ones, are getting involved with purpose-built offerings. This one from Austrian MVNO HoT allows home IoT devices to have connectivity via SIMs and to be controlled by the user, without consuming large amounts of data or costing large amounts of money.

The yearly pricing option seems particularly appropriate for the IoT market, because IoT devices are connected long-term and run 24-7, in most cases, without significant change. Therefore, purchasing a year’s worth of connectivity for under €20.00 enables the users to “set it and forget it,” and 10 GB over 12 months should be enough, given that most devices will require little data most of the time, with occasional spikes. The web interface for managing devices is an excellent value-added sweetener for the deal, making it so that HoT provides more than just the connectivity. While subscribers are not very likely to need to make calls or send texts via their IoT plans, it is an added selling point that it is at least possible, in case they would like to access it via another SIM on a phone or tablet.