SIM card for 4G security cameras
Updated
A 4G security camera needs a data SIM sized for video, not for sensors: about 900 MB per hour of live 1080p viewing at 2 Mbit/s. The other choice that matters is exposure: a camera with a public IP address is visible to the whole internet, while a camera on a private APN is reachable only from your own network.
Status: Coming soon (checked 26 October 2026) · Notify me when available
Key points
- Video drives the bill. Record locally, send clips on motion, and stream live only when needed.
- Do not expose cameras. The Mirai botnet infected network cameras and video recorders by trying factory default passwords, according to CISA.
- Private delivery gives remote access to your staff without any internet-facing port.
How much data will it use?
| Pattern | Assumption | Data per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alerts only | 10 motion clips of 20 s a day, 1080p at 2 Mbit/s | about 1.5 GB |
| Daily check | 10 minutes of live 1080p a day at 2 Mbit/s | about 4.5 GB |
| Continuous upload | 1080p at 2 Mbit/s, 24 h a day | about 650 GB (use a fixed line) |
Lower the bitrate or the resolution to cut these figures; H.265 cameras usually need less bitrate than H.264 for the same picture.
Two ways to view a camera remotely
| Public IP on the camera | Private delivery | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can reach the camera | Anyone on the internet | Only your network |
| Attack surface | Login page and video ports exposed | None from the internet |
| What you need | Strong passwords, updates, port filtering | Your VPN or video platform in your network or cloud |
If you choose a public IP, follow the internet delivery page and change every default password before connecting the camera. For fleets of cameras, choose private delivery.
Related
- SIM card for 4G and 5G routers
- IoT SIM card
- Private APN vs public APN vs VPN
- Router setup by model: APN and roaming settings for the router in front of the camera
Frequently asked questions
How much data does a 4G security camera use?
It depends on how much video leaves the camera. At 1080p and 2 Mbit/s, one hour of live viewing is about 900 MB; ten 20-second motion clips a day are about 1.5 GB a month.
Is it safe to give a 4G camera a public IP address?
Only with strict care. Internet-facing cameras are scanned constantly; the Mirai botnet took over cameras and video recorders by trying factory default passwords. A private APN keeps the camera off the internet altogether.
How can I watch a camera remotely without a public IP?
Deliver the camera's traffic privately into your network or cloud, and watch it from there through your own VPN or video platform. The camera is reachable by your staff and invisible to everyone else.