Inquiry about e-SIM Pooled Data Plans, Carrier Infrastructure, Dynamic Carrier Selection

Product Discussion
1

We currently have multiple Peplink MAX BR1 Mini units deployed in the field and have received a number of inquiries from clients regarding the functionality and configuration of Peplink’s Pooled Data Plans, particularly those utilizing eSIM.

Two specific technical questions have arisen:

  1. Carrier Infrastructure: Which underlying cellular carriers serve as the backbone for the Peplink Pooled Data service? Customers are seeking clarity on whether the service is provisioned through a specific carrier (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) or if it operates on a multi-carrier architecture.

  2. Dynamic Carrier Selection and Failover: In the case of an eSIM-based data plan, does the unit have the capability to dynamically connect to the carrier providing the strongest and most reliable signal in the user’s current geographic location? Furthermore, will the system intelligently and automatically switch to a different carrier backbone if conditions change, for example, when transitioning from an urban environment with optimal Verizon coverage to a rural area where AT&T offers superior signal strength and service continuity?

This functionality is particularly relevant in use cases where mobility is a factor and consistent connectivity is critical across varied coverage zones.

2
  1. It’s a multi-network eSIM.
  2. Dynamic carrier selection today is fairly simple.
  • The modem has a list of PLMN from the eSIM that it can connect to.
  • It will connect to the first one in the list that is available (enough signal to connect) and test the connection health.
  • If the connection is healthy, the modem is will use that carrier.
  • If the health fails then the modem will connect to the next network on the list and see if it can get a healthy connection.

Not exactly, to detect the strongest signal the modem would have to connect to each network in turn and see what signal strength there is per carrier (a feature that is in beta). Once it has all meaurements it could then choose the strongest one. But the strongest signal doesn’t always mean that it is the best quality connection (or with the most bandwidth).
The modem can’t know anything about reliability unless it has sent health check packets over that carrier for an extended period of time.

Carrier change is triggered by WAN health check failure. If connectivity is lost or signal drops below a set level then the modem will try other operator networks.