Mobile APN
A post-paid, fully aggregated mobile data platform.
The Saicom Mobile APN Solution offers clients the benefits of post-paid, fully aggregated mobile data, with the ability to manage and report on every single mobile user.
Key Features
Key Features
Reduce mobile data spend
Data aggregation that applies a single data bundle across all networks
Fast delivery times, minimal configuration and no extra hardware setup
Add top-up data to users in real-time
Application aware analytics allows you to reduce spend by gaining insight into application usage at a department or user level
Flexible plans starting at 5GB scaling to thousands of SIM cards and TBytes of data
Prepaid (Vodacom) and Postpaid (All Networks) SIMs
NarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) support (Vodacom)
Supported Networks
Features and Benefits
Features and Benefits
Fast delivery times, minimal setup and no extra hardware setup, enables an easy seamless experience.
Control
Manage SIMs, users and departments, set usage caps and view data usage at an application level (e.g. WhatsApp, Youtube, Windows Updates, etc) via the Saicom Mobility Portal
Data Aggregation
All data is pooled and a single data bundle applied across all networks
Multiple Networks
Per individual/SIM carrier network choice of Vodacom, MTN and/or Telkom
Security
Shared APN and choice of Internet or VPN-only services
Mobile Data
High speed national mobile data coverage (3G, 4G, 5G, LTE) across MTN, Vodacom and Telkom Mobile networks
Powerful Reporting
Per department, site, individual and SIM usage reporting
Billing
Simplified invoicing – one invoice for all mobile data services
Application Management
Block Applications by category across your shared APN or Manage Applications end to end on your dedicated APN
Application usage breakdown
Netflix
Office 365
Public APN and Private APN
Public APN and Private APN
Public APN
Saicom’s Public APN provides mobile Internet access, allowing your mobile workforce to connect to the Internet, on common ports and protocols.
Saicom can supply you with “data only” SIM cards or we can migrate your existing postpaid / contract SIM cards to any of our APNs.
Each SIM would be reflected on the Saicom Mobility Portal, such that accounting of data usage can be recorded. IP addresses are allocated dynamically, traffic is routed out to the Internet via a centralised Fortigate Firewall. With the “Firewall Lite” bolt-on solution, static IP addresses are assigned in order to facilitate source-based category and application blocking. Monitoring, thresholds, and data caps are configured on an individual level using the Saicom Mobility Portal – our mobility management platform.
Private APN
Private APN’s can be likened to a VPN on a GSM network. They provide a customised routing configuration, allowing mobile users to connect into your headquarters, usually via MPLS or an SD-WAN network. Traffic may also be routed through a dedicated or shared firewall, or into a Data Centre or Hosting environment.
A Private APN provides clients with a higher level of control and customisation than a Public APN and allows for application-level control as well as blocking and shaping when paired with Saicom’s Cloud Firewall.
Saicom’s APN offering
Saicom’s APN offering
Saicom’s APN solution is available in 4 options: Public (Shared) APN, Public (Shared) APN with Firewall Lite and the Private APN Solution.
| Public APN (Shared Firewall) | Public APN (Firewall Lite) | Public APN (Firewall Plus) | Private APN (Dedicated Firewall) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saicom Mobility Portal |  |
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| Reverse billed data (Data billed to the enterprise, not user) | |
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| Internet breakout | |
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| Device specific IP addressability (Static IP Address) | |
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| Internet breakout through Customised Firewall |  |
Application category blocking only |
Shared firewall with additional flexibility |
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| Inbound port requests (e.g. Security Camera, Servers etc) | |
Public /32 IP address required |
Public /32 IP address required |
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| MPLS VPN (Virtual Private Network) | |
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Routing via private network XConnect or dedicated layer 2 links |
| Named APN (Customised “named” APN) | |
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| Suitable for: | Simple Internet Connectivity |
Simple Internet Connectivity with Application blocking |
Bespoke Internet Firewall Rules |
Bespoke Internet Firewall Rules, VPN, MPLS, SD-WAN |
| Public APN (Shared Firewall) | Public APN (Firewall Lite) | Private APN (Dedicated Firewall) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saicom Connect (Mobility Management Portal) | |
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| Reverse billed data (Data billed to the enterprise, not user) | |
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| Internet breakout (common protocols) | |
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|
| Device specific IP addressability (Static IP Address) | |
|
|
| Internet breakout through Customised Firewall | |
Application category blocking only |
|
| MPLS VPN (Virtual Private Network) | |
|
Routing via private network XConnect or dedicated layer 2 links |
| Named APN (Customised “named” APN) | |
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| Inbound port requests (e.g. Security Camera, Servers etc) | |
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| Suitable for: | Simple Internet Connectivity |
Simple Internet Connectivity with Application blocking |
Bespoke Internet Firewall Rules, VPN, MPLS, SD-WAN |
Managing Mobile Data
Managing Mobile Data Saicom Connect Mobility Portal
Through a single pane of glass, your administrators will have full access to manage your departments, sites, individuals and associated SIM cards.
Saicom Mobility Portal allows enterprise administrators to centrally manage their mobile usage. Whether it’s managing M2M (IoT) Devices, tablets, Mifi Routers, LTE Routers, Laptops or Mobile phones, Saicom Mobility Portal aggregates all data from these GSM devices into one easy to use platform.
Through the platform, administrators can make use of:
Centralised Bundle
All SIM cards, across all networks, consume off a central enterprise bundle
Notifications
Custom notification percentages with notifications sent to WhatsApp, SMS, Email and Pushover.net
Friendly Device Names
The naming of SIMs (Friendly name e.g. Greg’s iPhone)
Analytics
View graphing and analytics to understand usage patterns
Capping
Configure data capping on individuals. Each connection to the network will require a SIM card. Each individual can be assigned multiple SIM cards (up-to 5) with a single individual data cap
Organise SIMs
Manage multiple APN’s, Companies, Departments, Individuals and SIM cards
Application Reporting
Application layer usage reporting (e.g. Facebook, Youtube, Salesforce etc)
Pairing of ICCID to IMEI (Phone to SIM Card)
This feature renders a SIM card useless unless used with the intended device
Topups
Administrators can top up individual’s SIMs with additional data (out of centralised enterprise bundle)
Soft Lock
Manually soft lock and unlock SIMs in real-time
APN Contract term options
APN Contract term options
Saicom’s APN solution is flexible enough to cater for clients contract term requirements. We offer 12 and 24 month contractual terms. The table below highlights the options per contract term.
| APN Term Options | 12 Months | 24 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Public APN | |
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| Upgrade bundle anytime 1 | |
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| SIM Card fee (Month-to-Month) 2 | |
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| Saicom Mobility Portal User Licenses 2 | |
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| 3 Month Cancellation Period | |
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| Access to all networks (Vodacom, MTN, Telkom) 3 | |
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| Fortigate Firewall Lite - Add on 4 | |
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| Private APN | |
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| 1 Month “settling in” period 5 | |
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| Downgrade 1 Tier (Every 6 Months) | |
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| Fortigate Firewall Plus- Add on | |
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| Fortigate Firewall Advanced - Add on 6 | |
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| Auto Renew on contract term | |
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| APN Term Options | 12 Months | 24 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Private APN | |
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| Public APN | |
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| 1 Month “settling in” period 1 | |
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| Upgrade bundle anytime 2 | |
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| Downgrade 1 Tier (Every 6 Months) | |
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| SIM Card fee (Month-to-Month) 3 | |
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| Saicom Connect User Licenses (Month-to-Month) 3 | |
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| 3 Month Cancellation Period | |
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| Auto Renew on contract term | |
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| Access to all networks (Vodacom, MTN, Telkom) 4 | |
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| Fortigate Firewall Lite - Add on 5 | |
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| Fortigate Firewall Advanced - Add on 6 | |
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- New bundle active 1st of new Month
- One calendar month cancellation period
- Default on Saicom public APN, else one private APN per network
- Public APN Only
- For the first month we allow enterprises who are not sure of their actual usage to use the first month’s traffic as a benchmark going forward.
During this time no out-of-bundle traffic will be charged. - Private APN Only
FAQ
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An APN (Access Point Name) is a gateway between a 3G/ LTE mobile network and another computer network, accessing the public internet or private virtual private network (VPN). It is a unique identifier that allows a connection to the network and identifies the data access services associated with your account. The APN is the exit point from the mobile network operator’s (MNO) 3G/LTE network into either the public internet or a private network.
A corporate mobile APN can deliver a secure connection that creates a private network on a mobile device, protecting information and linking multiple devices together.
This means a business or organisation can manage multiple SIM each delivering data connectivity through a private APN to remote workers. The company can set usage caps for employees, and view bandwidth on an application level, for example whether the user is accessing social networks or work-related sites.
Ultimately, a mobile APN can significantly reduce data spend in the organisation as management has an integrated reporting environment with a universal view of how employees use their mobile data. A mobile APN solution can also use prepaid or postpaid data to provide complete budgetary control.
Yes. Authentication on the mobile APN network complies with all governance requirements to provide companies with the peace of mind that their connections are secure. It is the ideal solution for any organisation with a distributed workforce looking to optimise cost and improve employee efficiency.
As the requirements for each organisation are unique, please complete our enquiry form and one of our expert consultants will contact you about the best APN service in South Africa.
Our APN solution is currently only available to our South African customers.
Enquire