Comparison table
| Model | Channels / SIMs | Approx. messages per hour* | Price | Per channel | vs 64-port | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Port 2G GSM Modem Pool | 8 | 2,880 to 4,800 | £305 | £38.12 | 64-port is £144 more with 8× the channels | To order, 3 to 5 weeks |
| 16-Port 2G GSM Modem Pool | 16 | 5,760 to 9,600 | £545 | £34.06 | 64-port is £96 less with 4× the channels | To order, 3 to 5 weeks |
| 32-Port 2G GSM Modem Pool | 32 | 11,520 to 19,200 | £1,040 | £32.50 | 64-port is £591 less with 2× the channels | To order, 3 to 5 weeks |
| 64-Port 2G/3G GSM Modem Pool | 64 | 23,040 to 38,400 | £449 | £7.01 | — | In UK stock |
*Planning figure based on one standard SMS every 6 to 10 seconds per channel in good signal. Real throughput depends on network, message length and software.
Capacity: what the channel count means in practice
Every channel is one modem with one SIM, sending and receiving independently. Channel count therefore sets three things at once: how many messages per hour you can move, how many separate phone numbers you can operate, and how much resilience you have when a SIM or module has a problem.
- 8 channels covers roughly 3,000 to 5,000 messages an hour: enough for a single busy site's reminders and alerts, or a developer test rig.
- 16 channels doubles that and gives room to dedicate numbers to different departments or clients.
- 32 channels is where organisations running a proper two-way service, or collecting telemetry from a few thousand devices, usually land.
- 64 channels gives 20,000 to 35,000 messages an hour and 64 numbers. It is the choice for messaging-heavy operations, test labs and anyone who wants headroom.
Price: the 64-port is the best value per channel
Put another way, the 8-port costs about £38.12 per channel and the 64-port about £7.01. The smaller 2G units are sourced to order in small quantities, with international freight and import handling built into the price, whereas the 64-port is bought in volume and held in the UK; that is why the per-channel gap is so large. These are our current prices; the 64-port is on offer at £449 against a usual price of £539.
Availability today
Only the 64-port unit is held in UK stock, and it is the only 2G/3G unit. The 8, 16 and 32-port models are 2G GSM units available to order: we place the order with our supplier when you pay, and the unit is delivered in 3 to 5 weeks with import handling included. Each product page shows the lead time before you order.
What is the same across all four, and the one difference
USB host connection, one serial port per channel, AT-command control on Windows and Linux, SMA antenna socket per channel, removable modules with individual power switches, and mains power. Software written for one size runs unchanged on another. The one hardware difference: the 64-port has 2G/3G modules, while the 8, 16 and 32-port units are 2G only (which is what UK networks use for SMS). The UK network position (2G only, since 3G is switched off) and the legal position (all four are SIM farms under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, because all hold five or more SIMs) are also identical; see the UK guide.
Our recommendation
If you need equipment now, or you want the best value per channel, buy the 64-port. If a compact 2G unit is all you need, the 8, 16 and 32-port units can be ordered online with a 3 to 5 week lead time. For more than ten units, or for delivery outside the UK mainland, send a trade enquiry.