Data Volume Caps
Soracom does not enforce a maximum data usage cap (volume limit). You can transfer as much data as your application requires without hitting a hard ceiling imposed by the platform.
Connection Speed Limits (Speed Classes)
While there is no limit on the total volume of data, there is a limit on the speed (bandwidth) at which data can be transferred. This is determined by the Speed Class configured for the IoT SIM.
Speed classes define the maximum upload and download bandwidth:
- Global Coverage: Classes range from s1.minimum (32 kbps) to s1.8xfast (16 Mbps). The default is typically s1.4xfast (8 Mbps).
- Japan Coverage: Specific classes such as t1.standard, u1.standard, and u1.slow are available depending on the plan.
For a complete list of speeds and definitions, refer to the Speed Class documentation.
Changing Speed Classes
You can adjust the speed class of a SIM at any time to suit your bandwidth needs or budget. Changes take effect immediately and can be performed via:
- The User Console
- The updateSimSpeedClass API endpoint
- The Soracom CLI
Throttling Policy
Soracom does not throttle connection speed based on the volume of data consumed. Your connection speed remains consistent with your selected speed class regardless of how much data you have used in the past.
Note: If your device attempts to transmit data faster than the rate defined by the selected speed class, excess packets may be dropped. This is a strict bandwidth limit, not a throttling measure based on usage history.
Pricing Considerations
While there are no technical limits on data volume, please note:
- Pay-as-you-go: You are charged for the amount of data transferred.
- Speed Class Pricing: For certain plans (such as Plan-D and Plan-K in Japan), the per-MB data rate varies based on the selected speed class. Slower speed classes may offer more economical rates.
For detailed pricing information, refer to the Pricing and Fee Schedule.
Managing Data Usage
If you wish to enforce your own limits to prevent unexpected costs, you can configure the Event Handler. This service allows you to monitor data usage for individual SIMs or groups and automatically trigger actions (such as sending email notifications or suspending the SIM) when specific usage thresholds are reached.