In the world of IoT, few things are as underestimated—or as critical—as connectivity testing during the proof of concept (POC) phase.
Too often, companies race ahead with hardware development, edge logic, and application integration, only to discover late in the cycle that their devices struggle to connect in the field. Whether it's poor signal penetration, roaming inconsistencies, incompatible radio modules or data session failures, these challenges aren’t hypothetical—they’re frequent and costly.
According to GSMA Intelligence, more than 40% of global IoT projects fail at the POC stage, with one of the top three culprits being unreliable or misunderstood connectivity. The reality is: a device that functions in a controlled lab may behave very differently once deployed in remote areas, across borders, or underground.
Lab tests do not replace real-world performance. Connectivity is not static—it changes depending on operator availability, signal interference, roaming agreements, network latency, and even power conditions on the device.
Testing in live environments allows you to answer essential questions that directly impact cost, customer experience, and long-term scalability:
| Validation Focus | What It Helps Confirm |
|---|---|
| Network behavior | Device performance across 2G, 4G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT |
| Roaming & coverage | Handoff success and latency across networks or borders |
| Device session stability | Dropouts, reconnect times, power use under weak signal |
| SIM & platform integration | Monitoring, lifecycle control, security policies |
| Future scalability | Readiness for automation, billing, and diagnostics |
POC testing isn’t just a technical task—it’s a strategic milestone. A successful test provides:
A validated foundation for network and carrier decisions
Confidence in device design and connectivity architecture
Internal assurance for go-to-market timelines and investment
A smoother path to compliance, customer delivery, and long-term scalability
When managed properly, a robust testing phase shortens time to revenue and helps prevent costly surprises later in the deployment lifecycle.
Testing connectivity isn’t about inserting a SIM into a device and checking for bars. To gather meaningful results, the testing environment should combine:
| Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Multi-technology access | Validates performance across LTE-M, NB-IoT, 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Global network reach | Enables testing where your devices will be deployed |
| SIM form factor flexibility | Matches real deployment hardware |
| Full-featured management platform | Provides visibility, control, automation, and diagnostics |
| Engineering support | Helps troubleshoot, adapt, and optimize configurations |
At Velos IoT, we provide a complete testing environment designed to reflect real-world connectivity demands. Our Free IoT SIM Starter Kit helps you validate your devices across a global footprint with full visibility and control.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| SIMs | 5 SIM cards (triple cut, MFF2 embedded, or LPWAN SIMs) |
| Data | 50 MB per SIM, per month, for three months |
| Network access | 700+ roaming networks in 200+ countries and territories |
| LPWAN support | CAT-M1 on 77 networks; NB-IoT on 47 networks |
| Connectivity Management Platform | Includes activation, automation, billing, security, and analytics |
| Engineer consultation | Aligns your kit with your data needs and device requirements |
Request your free SIM kit online
Connect with a Velos IoT engineer to align on your test goals
Activate and configure your SIMs through the platform
Begin testing with real-world conditions and live data
Review insights, make adjustments, and prepare to scale
There’s no cost to start, and no long-term commitment required. Just real insight into how your devices will behave in the field.
The most successful IoT deployments are built on tested assumptions—not guesses. Connectivity isn’t a given—it’s an evolving, dynamic piece of the solution stack that requires deliberate validation.
By taking the time to test thoroughly during the POC phase, you save far more down the line—in support, in deployment delays, and in customer satisfaction. Just as importantly, it lets you scale with confidence.
Start right. Test smart. Request your Velos IoT Starter Kit and set your devices up for success—wherever in the world they go.
👉 Request the kit or if you still have questions, contact us below and one of our IoT experts will be happy to assist and get you on your way.