What an APN Is
Every cellular data connection goes through an APN: the gateway between the mobile network and another network. A phone on a standard plan uses the operator's public APN, which leads to the internet.
Public APN vs Private APN
| Public APN | Private APN | |
|---|---|---|
| Where traffic goes | The public internet | Only to the networks you choose |
| Who can reach the device | Anything on the internet that finds it | Only systems on your private network |
| IP addresses | Usually shared and changing | Private addresses, often static |
| Typical use | Phones and general browsing | IoT, routers, payment terminals, remote sites |
Why Use a Private APN
- Off the public internet: devices are out of reach of attacks that scan the internet for targets, such as DDoS, malware and ransomware.
- Only the traffic you allow: decide which devices may join and where their traffic may go.
- Simple remote access: with private static IPs you can reach each device to update software and apply patches without site visits.
- Protection for limited devices: many IoT devices can't run security software, so protecting them in the network is often the only option.
Private APNs and Static IP Addresses
On a public APN a device's address usually changes and is shared with others, which makes it hard to reach. A private APN can give each SIM a private static IP address, so your systems always know where a router or gateway is, without exposing it to the internet.
How to Get a Private APN
Private APNs are set up by mobile operators. Building one used to mean a long project with the operator. Asavie IoT provides private networks on demand inside the operator network, with private static IPs, traffic controls and connections to your cloud or data centre over IPsec or GRE. The same private network is available as the Private Access add-on for Asavie Mobile.