How to activate Airtel M2M IoT SimCard with Geolinker ESP32

What is an Airtel M2M SIM Card?

An Airtel M2M SIM card is specifically developed for communicating from one machine to another using the cellular networks. The Airtel M2M SIM is designed specifically for IoT and embedded devices that do not require a human operator or user to operate autonomously.

Feature	Airtel M2M SIM	Regular SIM
Primary Use	IoT devices, GPS trackers, automation	Personal voice and data use
Number Regulation	DoT-mandated whitelisting (max 4 numbers)	Open communication with all numbers
KYC Requirement	Mandatory within 7 days of activation	Required at purchase
Management	Remote via Circuit Digest Cloud platform	Via carrier app or store
Included Plan	3-month free plan (GeoLinker bundle)	Varies by plan

Accessing the Airtel M2M SIM Dashboard on Circuit Digest Cloud

The Airtel SIM Management feature allows you to manage your IoT SIM cards directly from the Circuit Digest Cloud Platform. You can view SIM details, monitor data usage, submit KYC documents, and track device connectivity. To access the Airtel M2M dashboard, log in to your Circuit Digest Cloud Account. Once logged in, you can click on the view button under the GeoLinker section. The Airtel M2M SIM card is a specialised IoT SIM designed for machine-to-machine communication over India's cellular network. This makes it ideal for secure, internet-independent projects such as GPS trackers, remote automation systems, and GSM-based IoT devices. Before you can use the SIM for voice calls, SMS, or data, you need to complete the Airtel M2M SIM activation process through the Circuit Digest Cloud platform.

Step 1 ⇒ How to Activate Your Airtel M2M IoT SIM Card

Once you are in the GeoLinker Dashboard, click on the Airtel IOT SIM, which will redirect you to the Airtel IOT SIM  dashboard. This is where you can see all the activated SIM card details. To activate a SIM card, click on the Activate SIM button in the top right corner.

In the activation page, enter the ICCID and your mobile number. The ICCID can be found on the SIM package, mentioned as SIM number, or you can get it from the serial output when you insert the SIM into the GL868_ESP32 with factory firmware. Check the Factory firmware section for more details. If you are using the number from the package, avoid the last alphabet; only the numeric number is needed. Click on send OTP to receive the OTP on your entered mobile number.

Once the OTP is verified, you will be redirected to the KYC submission page.

Step 2 ⇒ Completing KYC for Your Airtel M2M SIM Card

For KYC, you can use any of the KYC documents given in the table below. Once the KYC is completed, you can continue using the Airtel IOT M2M SIM card with the GL868_ESP32. If you choose to submit the KYC documents later, you can access the KYC submission page by going to the SIM details page and then clicking on the View KYC button.

Required Documents	Allowed Documents
Identity Proof	- Aadhaar Card - PAN Card - Passport - Driving License - Voter ID

Enter your mobile number to receive OTP.

Once the OTP is verified, you will be asked to upload your identity proof. Select document type and upload front and back images.

In the next stage, you will have to upload a live selfie. 

 

Once the selfie is captured, provide your current residential address, and finally review your details, accept the consent declaration and click on Submit KYC Documents. The KYC verification will be done within 28-48 hours.

Step 3 ⇒Viewing Your Airtel IoT SIM Card Details

In the SIM card details page, you can see all the details related to your Airtel IOT M2M SIM card, like whether it's active or not, KYC status, ICCID and IMSI, start and end dates of your plan and the remaining time until your plan expires.

Step 4 ⇒ Setting Up SMS and Voice Whitelisting for Airtel M2M SIM

As per DoT regulations, IoT SIMs are restricted to communicating only with whitelisted numbers. So mobile number whitelisting is required to enable calls to and from the M2M number, as well as to send and receive SMS messages. With an Airtel M2M SIM, you can whitelist up to four numbers. To white list numbers, click on the Manage Whitelisting button on the SIM Card Details page.

In the Whitelisting Management page, enter the number you want to whitelist, select the type (Voice, SMS or Both) and direction(Incoming, Outgoing or  Both Ways) and click on Save Changes. The whitelisting will immediately take effect, and you can use the SMS and voice services.

Airtel M2M SIM Whitelisting Options at a Glance

Option	Choices Available
Communication Type	Voice / SMS / Both
Direction	Incoming / Outgoing / Both Ways
Maximum Numbers	Up to 4 mobile numbers
Effect	Immediately after Save Changes

Frequently Asked Questions

⇥ Where can I find my Airtel M2M SIM card ICCID?
The ICCID is located on the package, with the SIM number listed as the SIM Number. If using GeoLinker GL868, insert the SIM and check the Serial Monitor; factory firmware will show the ICCID automatically when powered on. When you read the ICCID from the package, only enter the numerals and do not include the letter(s) at the end of the number.

⇥  How long does it take for Airtel to verify KYC (Know Your Customer) for M2M SIM Cards?
Airtel will complete verification of your KYC document submission through the Circuit Digest Cloud platform within 48 to 28 hours after submission. You may continue to use the SIM during this time, provided that your KYC document submission occurred within 7 days of the SIM's initial activation.

⇥  What is the maximum number of phone numbers that I can whitelist on the Airtel M2M SIM Card?
Whitelisting for up to 4 mobile numbers is available on your Airtel M2M IoT SIM. By using Whitelisting of each number, you also choose how you want to communicate (Voice, SMS or Both) and which way (Incoming, Outgoing or Both Ways). Whitelisting is effective immediately after you click Save Changes on the Circuit Digest Cloud dashboard.

⇥  Where can I find my Airtel M2M SIM card ICCID?
The ICCID is located on the package, with the SIM number listed as the SIM Number. If using GeoLinker GL868, insert the SIM and check the Serial Monitor; the factory firmware will show ICCID automatically when powered on. When you read the ICCID from the package, only enter the numerals and do not include the letter(s) at the end of the number.

⇥  How long does it take for Airtel to verify KYC (Know Your Customer) for M2M SIM Cards?
Airtel will complete verification of your KYC document submission through the Circuit Digest Cloud platform within 48 to 28 hours after submission. You may continue to use the SIM during this time, provided that your KYC document submission occurred within 7 days of the SIM's initial activation.

⇥  What is the maximum number of phone numbers that I can whitelist on the Airtel M2M SIM Card?
Whitelisting for up to 4 mobile numbers is available on your Airtel M2M IoT SIM. By using Whitelisting of each number, you also choose how you want to communicate (Voice, SMS or Both) and which way (Incoming, Outgoing or Both Ways). Whitelisting is effective immediately after you click Save Changes on the Circuit Digest Cloud dashboard.