Private APN

Normal mobile phone connections obtain a dynamic private IP address. This IP address is behind a Network Address Translation (NAT) Gateway which translates the internal IP address into a shared public IP address. This means that it is impossible for a central system to identify a device based on the IP address or to initiate a session towards the device. For IoT services, however, static private IP addresses are assigned (so that a central system can identify the device) or static/dynamic public IP addresses so that a central system can access the device (initiate session).

Custom APN
An APN stands for Access Point Name and is the name of the gateway between the device and the Internet or private network. The APN must be configured in the device. Some manufacturers and customers require a Private APN, this gives them the opportunity to:
a) Locking the device on a specific APN, e.g. switching SIM cards is therefore impossible;
(b) routing traffic to a central system;
c) more extensive possibilities (e.g. authentication, connection timers and private IP address allocation).

For a company that uses a private APN, it could for instance control which sites you can and cannot visit on the Internet – even if you are not physically on the company’s premises. For example, your company may choose to block YouTube or Facebook or other sites that it considers harmful to teleworking productivity.

Are you interested in a private APN for yourself or for your company? Read all about the possibilities at Olivia Wireless.