Guide
SIM card for a solar 4G camera
The SIM card for a solar 4G camera is where most set-ups go wrong. Here is how to choose one, set it up, and estimate how much data a camera uses each month.
1. Match the bands before anything else
4G networks use different radio frequencies, called bands. A camera only connects when its module supports a band your network uses at the mounting point. This is the most common reason a new camera never comes online, and the box rarely says which bands are inside.
| Country | Network | 4G bands listed |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Safaricom | B3 (1800 MHz), B20 (800 MHz) |
| Kenya | Airtel Kenya | B20 (800 MHz) |
| Kenya | Faiba (JTL) | B28 (700 MHz) |
| Nigeria | MTN Nigeria | B3 (1800 MHz), B7 (2600 MHz) |
| Nigeria | Glo | B3 (1800 MHz), B28 (700 MHz) |
| Nigeria | Airtel Nigeria | B3 (1800 MHz) |
| Ghana | MTN Ghana | Not confirmed; one source lists 800 MHz (B20) |
| Ghana | Telecel Ghana | Not confirmed |
| Ghana | AT Ghana | Not confirmed |
From third-party frequency lists seen in search results on 26 Oct 2026, not from the networks. Our Africa band version supports B1, B3, B7, B8, B20 and B28; we confirm against your network before shipping.
2. Prepare the SIM in a phone
- Use a Nano SIM.Our cameras take the smallest standard size.
- Remove the PIN.Cameras cannot type a PIN. Put the SIM in a phone and turn the SIM lock off.
- Buy a data bundle and test it.Open a website on the phone with Wi-Fi off. If the phone cannot browse, neither can the camera.
- Note the APN.Most cameras set it automatically; if not, set the network’s APN in the app.
3. Estimate the data you will use
Data use depends on how long video is sent over the network. Recording to the SD card uses no data at all; only alerts, clips sent to the cloud and live viewing count. The table is a worked example assuming the app streams at 512 kbit/s, a common setting for the sub-stream. Your real numbers depend on the resolution chosen in the app, so check the data counter in the first week.
| Use | Assumption | 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| Alerts and short clips only | About 20 two-minute clips a day at 512 kbit/s | ≈ 4.6 GB / month |
| Alerts plus 15 min live view a day | Plus 15 minutes at 512 kbit/s | ≈ 6.3 GB / month |
| One hour of live view a day | 60 minutes at 512 kbit/s, no clips | ≈ 6.9 GB / month |
Arithmetic: 512 kbit/s × 60 s = 3.84 MB per minute. Higher-resolution live view can use two to four times more.
To keep the bill down: record to the SD card, send alerts with a short clip, keep cloud recording for the gate camera only, and watch live when an alert comes in rather than leaving the stream open.
4. Check the signal where the camera goes
Stand at the mounting point with a phone on the same network and check that it shows 4G, not 3G or E. Height helps: a camera on a 4 m pole often has a better signal than a phone at ground level. If the signal is weak, choose another network for that site or a spot with a clearer line to the nearest mast.
5. Nigeria: device registration
In Nigeria the NCC now requires SIM-enabled devices brought into the country to be registered by IMEI before they are sold, and unregistered devices may not be permitted on networks. Buy from sellers who can confirm registration. See the Nigeria page.
Next: choose a model on the products page, or see the farm layout guide. Back to solar 4G cameras.
SIM card questions
Why does my new 4G camera say offline?
In order of how often we see it: the SIM has no data bundle, the camera does not support the network’s band, the SIM still has a PIN lock, the APN is not set, or the signal at the mounting point is too weak. Test the SIM in a phone first, with the PIN removed.
Can I use a phone SIM?
Yes, any normal data SIM in Nano size works if it has a data bundle. Some networks sell data-only or IoT SIMs that are cheaper for cameras.
Does the camera need a public IP address?
No. The camera connects out to the app’s servers, so a normal mobile SIM is fine.
Do you support eSIM?
Not yet. All current models use a physical Nano SIM, because eSIM support varies between local networks.
Sources
- Mobile network frequency checker, Kenya and Nigeria. Kimovil. Seen in search results 26 Oct 2026.
- List of LTE networks in Africa. Wikipedia. Seen in search results 26 Oct 2026.
- NCC Tightens Type Approval Rules for SIM Devices. Voice of Nigeria, 10 Sept 2026. Read 26 Oct 2026.