Pod Group

A Cambridge-based enterprise network operator, part of Giesecke+Devrient, that provides SIM, eSIM and private network connectivity for businesses with connected devices.

About Pod Group

Pod Group is a company that runs mobile connectivity for other businesses. If a firm makes thousands of connected devices, such as trackers, meters or industrial sensors, it needs SIM cards, a way to manage them and sometimes its own private mobile network. Pod describes itself as an "Enterprise Network Operator", a new kind of IoT connectivity service provider that combines the control of a mobile network operator with the flexibility of a virtual one. It runs its own core network, including a private LTE core, and manages it through one central platform, called the Pod IoT Suite.

The company's own pages and a 2021 announcement describe more than 20 years of experience in setting up connectivity for enterprises. Its products include global IoT SIM cards, eSIM and eUICC technology (SIMs that can be changed by software rather than swapped by hand), complete private networks and customised networks for business customers. In July 2021 it was acquired by Giesecke+Devrient, a security technology group based in Munich, and Pod now describes itself as a Giesecke+Devrient company. Its chief executive named in that announcement was Sam Colley.

Pod Group's published address is on Chesterton Road, Cambridge, in the East of England. Cambridge is well known as a centre for technology, with much of the wireless and chip industry clustered in and around the city, and Pod is a member of the Cambridge Wireless network of mobile and wireless companies. The pages we read do not list other UK offices or say how many people work there, so we have not claimed more than the Cambridge location.

We could not find a formal mission statement or any description of its culture on the pages available to us, so we will not invent one. What the company does say is that it works with a partner ecosystem of hardware, software and technical providers, which suggests a job mix of network engineers, platform and software developers, customer technical support and account teams who work with manufacturers.

For a student, a company like Pod is a window into how the connected world works behind the scenes. Every smart device that sends data has a SIM or eSIM and a network behind it, and someone has to design, test and look after that network. Maths, physics, computing and electronics all feed into that, and so do communication skills, because the staff spend time explaining technical points to customers. The company's own website is the best place to see what is currently open.

What they do

• {'desc': 'SIMs that connect business devices to mobile networks in many countries.', 'title': 'Global IoT SIM cards'}
• {'desc': 'Remotely changeable SIM technology so devices can switch network without a visit.', 'title': 'eSIM and eUICC'}
• {'desc': 'Complete private LTE networks for businesses that want their own dedicated connectivity.', 'title': 'Private networks'}

Key facts

• Describes itself as an Enterprise Network Operator with 20+ years of IoT connectivity experience
• Acquired by Giesecke+Devrient in July 2021; Sam Colley named as chief executive then
• Runs its own core network including a private LTE core, managed on the Pod IoT Suite
• Address: Chesterton Road, Cambridge, UK (Cambridge Wireless member profile)

Website: podm2m.com