IoT Explained
22 July 2025
Reading Time: 5 mins
Eseye
IoT Hardware and Connectivity Specialists
LinkedInAlthough many IoT and M2M devices connect directly to cellular networks, enabling wide area coverage with reliable communication, in some cases this is not desirable or even possible. IoT routers can provide additional benefits in terms of IoT estate management and security, and in situations where cellular connectivity direct to the device is not an option, such as a remote or underground facility like a mine or a car park, IoT routers can bring large numbers of devices online by acting as an intermediary.
What is an IoT router?
A router sits at the network edge and enables devices on a local network to connect to another network, such as the internet or a private WAN. Many residential users will have a router in their home to connect their laptops, TVs, games consoles, smart home devices and phones to the internet.
An IoT router performs the same functions – directing data packets to and from IoT devices – but often has different capabilities to a residential router. One main difference is that IoT routers generally have more interfaces and processing power to support the large volumes of IoT devices that need connectivity. Other common features found in IoT routers include additional security features and device management capabilities.
Looked at another way, the edge is the frontline. With multiple factors in play – a widespread sensor ecosystem, data security, connection reliability – seamless, continuous service is mission critical, whatever your goals, ensuring it for your IoT estate, and guaranteeing it for your customers. The pinpoint of focus in all this is the IoT router. It’s the connection between devices, between the edge and the core, data and insight, customers and your brand.
When should you use an IoT router?
In some cases, IoT routers could be deployed by choice for better management. For large-scale initiatives the use of routers allows for the deployment of lower-spec, lower-cost IoT devices that don’t need cellular connectivity and management interfaces themselves.
When you have hundreds or thousands of IoT or M2M devices to manage, IoT routers can introduce secure remote access capabilities for your estate, so you can manage deployments and keep security and devices up to date from afar.
But in cases where cellular connectivity is just not possible, an IoT router can open up more connectivity options, allowing the use of Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth or even private cellular connectivity. This can create new opportunities in environments with poor cellular connectivity, like tunnels, basements, mines, car parks, oil rigs or other cellular not-spots.
Top 5 tips for choosing the right IoT router
There are many benefits to connecting IoT devices via a router. Since the router handles connectivity for all downstream IoT devices, individual devices no longer need to manage their own connections. But how do you choose the right IoT router?
1. Connectivity solution and network requirements
The most important consideration by far. It’s essential you understand how many IoT devices you need to connect and the protocols those devices will use.
Along with the almost infinite number of use cases for IoT applications, the choices for connectivity are diverse. NB-IoT, LoRa, Sigfox, WiFi, GPS, and then of course cellular, including 3G, 4G, and both public and private 5G, to name a handful of options.
What SIM formats does the IoT router support? Does it support eSIM or multi-IMSI? How does it handle backup connectivity? The ability to switch between networks ensures consistent and reliable connectivity, as well as future proofing. All over the world 2G and 3G cellular technologies are being decommissioned, so whichever connectivity protocols you deploy today need to be supported for the next several years at least.
How many devices will you need to connect per router? Consumer-grade routers typically handle tens of devices, but IoT routers are capable of handling hundreds, perhaps thousands of devices.
Other limiting factors may be range and bandwidth. The router itself will have a range limited by the connectivity protocol used, as well as the upload and download bandwidth required for the application.
All of these factors will impact on the scalability of the IoT network based on router deployment.
2. Environment and application
The physical environment of the deployment location can be a significant factor when choosing an IoT router, as can the application itself.
If the IoT router is to be deployed in an outdoor or extreme environment, like underground, at sea, in a desert, or a factory, you may need a ruggedized or weather-resistant model to protect against humidity or dust. In some cases, the operating temperature range of the device may be a contributing factor.
3. Power management
Efficient power consumption is a key consideration for IoT deployments, especially in the context of the operating environment.
You may need to consider the power draw of the device, and whether it needs to be a power-efficient model, if battery backup is needed, or even if a battery operated or solar-powered model is more appropriate.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) could be an option to deliver power and data through a single Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and reducing wiring complexity.
4. Security features
Improved security is one of the key reasons for using IoT routers in a deployment, because the router adds an additional layer of security between the IoT device itself and the internet or WAN. Furthermore, the IoT router can enable additional features like VPN support, firewalls, and encryption to protect your IoT devices and data.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) support enables encrypted connections, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Encryption protocols, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), ensure data security during transmission.
While integrated firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS) assist in the monitoring and controlling of incoming and outgoing network traffic.
You might also consider whether the IoT router supports secure authentication methods for connecting IoT devices, and if the manufacturer of the router deploys regular firmware updates to address new security vulnerabilities.
5. Additional IoT router considerations
If you’re managing a large estate of IoT devices and IoT routers, the management capabilities of the routers can make a significant difference day-to-day. Routers with user-friendly management interfaces remove a lot of frustration, as easy-to-navigate menus make it easier to configure settings, monitor performance, and address issues.
Remote management capabilities enable administrators to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot their IoT networks, especially deployments in difficult to reach or remote areas.
Some IoT routers will also offer advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS), which can be used to prioritize certain types of traffic, ensuring critical IoT data gets the bandwidth it needs.
Specialist IoT routers from Eseye
Achieving seamless IoT connectivity across large deployments is challenging. Organizations often face the burden of managing multiple mobile network operators and dealing with various hardware products and SIM card types, leading to increased costs and slower deployment timelines.
Specialist IoT routers can assist in overcoming these challenges. Eseye’s Hera series of IoT routers delivers a true plug-and-play global solution that offers service continuity and as close to zero downtime as possible.
The Hera 600 and 200 series are routers with more than just routing capabilities. They are embedded application edge IoT gateway devices. Connectivity shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be part of your deployment architecture from day one. That’s why Hera routers ship pre-integrated with Eseye’s award-winning AnyNet+ eSIM and managed connectivity service. The routers have out-of-the-box access to over 800 cellular networks worldwide, eliminating the need for multiple contracts and region-specific hardware.
Businesses can now deploy their IoT devices anywhere in the world with a single SKU, simplifying operations and accelerating time to market.
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