A telecommunications network module, a method of operating a telecommunications network module and computer program instructions for operating a telecommunications network module

Abstract

A telecommunications network module, method of operating a telecommunications network module and computer program instructions for operating a telecommunications network module to provide analysed data to a user group are disclosed. The telecommunications network module comprising: one or more processor(s) arranged to pre-assign Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers; memory arranged to store: data analysis instructions for the telecommunications network module, the data analysis instructions being associated with a user group comprising one or more users; and the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs; one or more network nodes arranged to receive: SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers; device data from the one or more devices via the internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses; wherein the one or more processor(s) are arranged to: generate linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising: matching at least some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data; wherein the one or more processor(s) are further arranged to: analyse the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices; provide access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group.

Description

A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK MODULE, A METHOD OF OPERATING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK MODULE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK MODULE

[0001] This invention relates to a telecommunications network module, a method of operating a telecommunications network module and computer program instructions for operating a telecommunications network module to provide analysed data to a user group, where the analysed data relates to analysed SIM-related network data and device data obtained from one or more devices via the internet. BACKGROUND

[0002] As ubiquitous computing continues to develop and become more prevalent, there is an increasing need for device interaction and management to become seamless and less reliant on human attention.

[0003] The Internet of Things (IoT) is a ubiquitous computing technology which enables a large variety of devices, such as home appliances, wearables, vehicles, surveillance systems, amongst other devices to communicate and exchange data with each other and a central system over the internet. Set-up and management of IoT devices currently requires a high degree of time and specific expertise from telco (telecommunications company) customers. There is a currently a requirement to deal with specialist communications protocols as well as telco-centric SIM management tools. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In devising the present invention, it has been realised that the management of IoT devices is complex and cumbersome for telco customers. IoT devices present particular challenges in terms of authentication and specialist protocols and SIMs are presented in a telco-centric form. Further, there is no link between the SIM data used to manage connectivity (control plane) and data sent from the device (data plane). This invention uses static IP addressing to provide SIM-based identification and authentication of device connections and links them to the control plane data thus solving these problems.

[0005] Thus disclosed herein are telecommunications network modules, methods of operating telecommunications network modules and computer program instructions for operating telecommunications network modules for managing devices which provide both SIM-related network data and device data via the internet. Control and data planes are linked by the telco without the need for additional logic or work by the customer who 15382304.JCJ.MEWbenefits from devices that can be authenticated by SIM and whose sensor data is enriched with SIM information. Additionally, the point of linkage can be used to pre-process data in order to increase its value and reduce the processing overhead of the customer.

[0006] Thus, viewed from aspect, the present invention provides a telecommunications network module, comprising: one or more processor(s) arranged to pre-assign Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers; memory arranged to store: data analysis instructions for the telecommunications network module, the data analysis instructions being associated with a user group comprising one or more users; and the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs; one or more network nodes arranged to receive: SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers; device data from the one or more devices via the internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses; wherein the one or more processor(s) are arranged to: generate linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising: matching at least some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data; wherein the one or processor(s) are further arranged to: analyse the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices; provide access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group.

[0007] In embodiments, the one or more processor(s) are arranged to provide access to the linked SIM-related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group. This provides the advantage that the user group can access both the analysed data and the data before it is analysed, which may be beneficial if the user group wants to use the linked SIM-related network data and device data for other purposes, or analyse it in a different way compared to what is provided by the analysed data.

[0008] In embodiments, providing access to the analysed data comprises using an Application Programming Interface between the telecommunications network module and at least one user device.

[0009] In embodiments, the Application Programming Interface is arranged to specify a subset of the analysed data required for one or more users of the user group. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0010] In embodiments, the Application Programming Interface is arranged to provide different subsets of the analysed data to different users or user subgroups of the user group.

[0011] Using an API as described above improves the efficiency and usability of the telecommunications network module. The API can authenticate a user for access to the analysed data, and can control the types of data which can be accessed by the user. The user can specify a subset of the analysed data they wish to access, which the API can then retrieve from the module. The user group may have users with different levels of access to the data, and the API can control the data provided to the different access levels of the user group. For example a user with administrator level could access all of the analysed data and the ‘raw’ linked SIM-related network data and device data, whereas other users at a lower level may only be permitted to access a subset of the analysed data.

[0012] In embodiments, the device data from each of the one or more devices comprises a device type indicator; wherein the data analysis instructions comprise different instructions for different device types. The module can therefore analyse data from multiple different types of data which streamlines the process for the user group to obtain the analysed data.

[0013] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; data usage, country location.

[0014] In embodiments, the data analysis instructions comprise instructions for assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices using one or more of the signal strength, cell location and country location metrics. This enables the user group to determine the location of each of the devices, which is beneficial for managing a fleet of devices. This enables the location of the devices to be determined without GPS.

[0015] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages.

[0016] In embodiments, the data analysis instructions comprises instructions for analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords, and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords. SMS messages can be sent in marginal coverage areas where data sent via the internet may fail, and so may be used as a failsafe option by devices where data sent via the internet fails. The telecommunications network module can make the switchover to SMS transparent to the users of the user group by providing the analysed data, instead of the users having to15382304.JCJ.MEWSMS messages can also support server-initiated communications, and so can trigger processes in devices to occur automatically.

[0017] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data and / or device data comprise keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices, wherein the data analysis instructions comprise instructions to report, in the analysed data, when keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices. Therefore the users of the user group don’t have to actively monitor the keepalive messages but instead will be alerted by exception reporting when the keepalive messages are no longer received.

[0018] In embodiments, the device data comprises sensor data, wherein the data analysis instructions comprise instructions to use an AI model, the AI model being pre- trained to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata regarding the sensor data, and providing the metadata in the analysed data. The metadata enables the user group to quickly determine the status of a device or an event that has happened associated with the device without having to manually analyse the device data.

[0019] In embodiments, the sensor data comprises image data and / or video data and / or audio data. The AI model can be used to reduce images or audio into metadata or descriptors of this data.

[0020] In embodiments, the telecommunications network module is arranged to receive the data analysis instructions via a configuration Application Programming Interface. This enables the user group, or a service provider technician setting up the user group for use with the telecommunications network module, to specify what analysis is to be done on the data, enabling a straightforward setup for the user group. The data analysis instructions can be changed over time depending on the requirements of the user group.

[0021] In embodiments, the telecommunications network module is arranged to terminate a Virtual Private Network (VPN) pipeline as part of a private Access Point Name (APN) connection. This allows customers to use private Internet Protocol addresses.

[0022] In embodiments, the one or more processor(s) are arranged to translate the device data from an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to another protocol for the analysed data. This reduces the complexity of analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data, by enabling a wider user-base to interact with and analyse the data.

[0023] Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provided a method of operating a telecommunications network module comprising: pre-assigning Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers; storing, on memory of the telecommunications network module, data 15382304.JCJ.MEWanalysis instructions for the telecommunications network module, the data analysis instructions being associated with a user group comprising one or more users, and storing the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs; receiving SIM-related network data with associated Internet Protocol addresses, and device data from the one or more devices via the internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses; generating linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising: matching at least some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data; wherein the method further comprises: analysing the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices; providing access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group.

[0024] In embodiments, the method comprises: providing access to the linked SIM- related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group.

[0025] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; country location, and analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices using one or more of the metrics.

[0026] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages, and analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords, and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords.

[0027] In embodiments, the SIM-related network data and / or device data comprise keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices, and analysing the SIM- related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: reporting, in the analysed data, when keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices.

[0028] In embodiments, the device data comprises sensor data, and analysing the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises using a machine-learning model to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata, and providing the metadata in the analysed data. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0029] In embodiments, the sensor data comprises image data and / or video data and / or audio data.

[0030] In embodiments, the method additionally comprises: receiving the data analysis instructions via a configuration Application Programming Interface.

[0031] In embodiments, the method additionally comprises terminating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) pipeline as part of a private Access Point Name (APN) connection. This allows customers to use private Internet Protocol addresses.

[0032] In embodiments, the method additionally comprises: translating the device data from an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to another protocol for the analysed data.

[0033] Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides computer program instructions for operating a telecommunications network module, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processor(s) to: perform the method of any the previous nine paragraphs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example telecommunications network module; Figure 2 shows an example telecommunications network module communicating with one or more devices and one or more users of a user group; Figure 3 shows an example telecommunications network module communicating with a device; Figure 4A shows an example telecommunications network module communicating with users of a user group via an Application Programming Interface (API); Figure 4B shows an example telecommunications network module communicating with users of a user group via an Application Programming Interface (API); Figure 5 shows an example telecommunications network module communicating with a user of a user group and a technician via a configuration Application Programming Interface (API); Figure 6 illustrates a table with example device data; Figure 7 illustrates a table with example SIM-related network data; Figure 8 illustrates a table with example SIM-related network data; Figure 9 illustrates device data comprising images and a message; 15382304.JCJ.MEWFigure 10 illustrates an example device; Figure 11 illustrates an example of how a device, a user and the telecommunications network module communicate; Figure 12 illustrates an example method; Figure 13 illustrates part of an example method; Figure 14 illustrates part of an example method; Figure 15 illustrates part of an example method; Figure 16 illustrates part of an example method; Figure 17 illustrates part of an example method; Figure 18 illustrates an example flowchart of operations; Figure 19 illustrates an example telecommunications network module. Figure 20 illustrates an example storage medium comprising computer program instructions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 shows an example telecommunications network module 100. The telecommunications network module 100 comprises one or more processors 110, memory 120, and one or more network nodes 130. The one or more processors 110 are arranged to pre-assign Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers. The memory 120 is arranged to store: data analysis instructions 121 for the telecommunications network module 100. The data analysis instructions 121 are associated with a user group comprising one or more users.

[0036] The memory 120 is also arranged to store the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs 122.

[0037] The one or more network nodes 130 are arranged to receive: SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers and device data from one or more devices via the Internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses.

[0038] The one more processors 110 are arranged to generate linked SIM-related network data and device data. The generating comprises matching at least some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs 122 by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data and matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM 15382304.JCJ.MEWidentifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data. The one or more processors 110 are also arranged to analyse the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions 121 to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices. The one more processors 110 are arranged to provide access to the analysed data to the one or more users of the user group.

[0039] Advantageously, the telecommunications network module 100 therefore links device data to a SIM identifier (and the corresponding SIM-related network data associated with the SIM identifier) via the static Internet Protocol address associated with the SIM identifier in the SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs 122.

[0040] In some examples, the memory 120 is arranged to store the received SIM-related network data and received device data. The memory 120 can store partially linked SIM- related network data and partially linked device data. For example, for a particular device at a certain time, only SIM-related network data may have been received and no device data for that device has been received. The SIM-related network data is matched to the corresponding SIM Identifier and Internet Protocol address pair and is then stored with this association in the memory 120. When the device data for that device is eventually received, it is matched to the corresponding SIM Identifier and Internet Protocol address pair and is therefore linked to the stored SIM-related network data.

[0041] The one or more network nodes 130 can each have different functions with respect to accessing the rest of the telecommunications network or providing means of transmitting data from within the module 100 to the rest of the telecommunications network. For example one or more of the nodes 130 may have functionality for accessing the radio access network, core network and the Internet.

[0042] The memory 120 can comprise a single memory unit or may be distributed and accessed via cloud networking.

[0043] Figure 2 shows an example telecommunications network module 100 with one or more devices 141, 142, 143 and a user group 160. As shown in Figure 2, the one or more network nodes 130 are responsible for establishing communication links between the one or more devices 141, 142, 143, each user 161, 162, 163 of the user group 160, and the rest of the telecommunications network module 100.

[0044] Each of the one more devices 141, 142, 143 comprise a SIM identifier modules 151, 152, 153. A SIM identifier module can comprise for example a SIM card or an eSIM.identifier is used to uniquely identify the user of the SIM in the telecommunications 15382304.JCJ.MEWnetwork. Typically the SIM identifier is the Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID). It can also be the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

[0045] In some examples, the telecommunications network module 100 is arranged to only provide the analysed data to the user group 160. In other examples the telecommunications network module 100 is arranged to provide access to the linked SIM- related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group 160.

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates an example telecommunications network module 100 according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows the telecommunications network module 100 communicating with a device 141 of the one or more devices 141, 142 , 143, to pre-assign an Internet Protocol address to the device 141. Initially the device 141 sends a communication 300 to the telecommunications network module 100. This communication 300 can either be a request for an Internet Protocol address, or it can be the device 141 attempting to send data to the telecommunications network module 100. The processor(s) 110 is arranged to determine using the memory 120 that the device 141 is not known to the telecommunications network module 100. For example the device 141 can have an automatically assigned Internet Protocol address which is not known to the telecommunications network module 100. In response to this the telecommunications network module 100 assigns a new Internet Protocol address to the device 141 and provides the new Internet Protocol address to the device 141. The device 141 is therefore pre-assigned an Internet Protocol address in that it is assigned an Internet Protocol address before any generation of linked SIM-related network data and device data and analysing of the linked SIM-related network data and device data. This therefore enables the telecommunications network 100 to automatically manage the Internet Protocol addresses which it uses for communicating with the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 and which will be used to receive device data in order to provide the analysed data to the user group 160.

[0047] In other examples, the telecommunications network module 100 only permits device data to be received using Internet Protocol addresses it has assigned to devices. For example the telecommunications can first initiate communication with the device with communication 310 to pre-assign an Internet Protocol address and then the device 141 is permitted to send device data via communication 300. This example can be used, for example, when a user of the user group 160 has requested a device 141 to be set up with the telecommunications network module 100. To identify the device before sending the Internet Protocol address, the telecommunications network module may be provided with or retrieve the SIM identifier of the SIM identifier module. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0048] Figure 4A illustrates an example telecommunications network module 100 communicating with users 161, 162, 163. In this example the telecommunications network module 100 communicates with the users 161, 162, 163 via an Application Programming Interface (API) 400. The API 400 provides access to the analysed data for the user group 160. In some examples the API is arranged to specify a subset of the analysed data required for one or more users of the user group 160. For example the user 161 can specify in a query to the API that they want a specific subset of the data, whilst the users 162, 163 can each specify a second subset of the analyse data. The API is arranged to receive those requests and provide the requested subset to each user of the user group 160.

[0049] In some examples, the API has been configured to recognise different levels of access for users in the user group 160. For example, the first user 161 can have the highest level of access and can request any of the analysed data, and in some examples can access the linked SIM-related network data and device data. The second user 162 and the third user 163 can have a lower level of access which enables them to only access certain subsets of the analysed data, and in some examples are not able to access the linked SIM-related network data and device data. This provides hierarchal control over who has access to certain data. The first user 161 with the highest level of access can be a manager within the user group 160 or an administrator, whilst the second user 162 and the third user 163 can be lower level employees of the user group 160.

[0050] Different subsets of the analysed data available to different users can limit the users to access data associated with particular devices. The users can, for example, be linked to certain devices of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 and can only access analysed data relating to those certain devices.

[0051] In some examples it might be appropriate to provide certain users only with data that has had a specific analysis performed on it which relevant for the user. For example it can be relevant for one user to only receive analysed image data from a device, whilst an administrator may have access to the analysed image data and also to other analysed data such as a location of the device.

[0052] Figure 4A also illustrates a telecommunications network module technician 410. The technician 410 is not associated with the user group 160, but has access to the telecommunications network module 100 via the API 400. The technician 410 can change settings of the API and in some examples access data stored within the telecommunications network module 100. Depending on the sensitivity of the data, the technician 410 can in some examples be restricted from accessing any of the analysed data or the linked SIM-related network data and device data 122 but can still perform 15382304.JCJ.MEWmaintenance or change settings on the telecommunications network module 100 and the API 400 to provide support to the user group 160.

[0053] Figure 4B illustrates the user 161 receiving the first subset of analysed data 420, and the second user 162 and the third user 163 receiving the second subset of data 430. Figure 4B also shows the technician 410 receiving API configuration data 440.

[0054] Figure 5 illustrates a configuration API 500. The configuration API 50 is used at least initially when first setting up the user group 160 to interact with the telecommunications network module 100. The technician 410 can provide configuration instructions 510 to the configuration API 500 in order to set up how the user group will interact with the telecommunications network module 100 via the API 400. For example these configuration instructions 510 can determine which subsets of data each user of the user group 160 can access. The configuration instructions 510 can also specify the different levels of access of users.

[0055] The configuration instructions 510 can also comprise the data analysis instructions 121 which are provided to the telecommunications network module 100 and stored in the memory 120 for use by the processor(s) 110. After the configuration API 500 has been used to configure the telecommunications network module 100 and the API 400 for use with the user group 160, the technician 410 can in future provide other changes to the configuration instructions 510. Figure 5 also illustrates an administrator 164 of the user group 160 providing updated configuration instructions 520. In some examples, the administrator 164 of the user group can provide the initial configuration instructions 510. The configuration API 500 can be part of the API 400 or can be separate.

[0056] In some examples the device data from each of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 comprises a device type indicator. This device type indicator can be stored in a table with the associated Internet Protocol address as illustrated in Figure 6. The data analysis instructions can comprise different instructions for different device types. For example device type A in the table in Figure 6 can be a surveillance camera and the associated data analysis instructions can be to analyse image / video data from the device using a machine learning algorithm as described below. Device type B in the table in Figure 6 can be a microphone and the associated analysis instructions can be to analyse audio data from the device. Device type C in the table in Figure 6 can be a smart thermostat and the associated analysis instructions can be, for example, to find the average number of hours per day that households have the heating turned on. Other device types can also be used.

[0057] In some examples the device type indicator can only be sent as data from the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 to the telecommunications network module 100 once. The 15382304.JCJ.MEWdevice type indicator is sent during the setup process of the device so that whenever the telecommunications network module 100 receives device data or SIM-related network data associated with that device, the processor(s) 110 knows the device type and knows which data analysis instructions 121 apply for that device type.

[0058] In other examples the device data from at least some of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 can always comprise the device type indicator. This would be beneficial for example if the devices 141, 142, 143 aren’t in frequent contact with the telecommunications network module 100 and the telecommunications network module 100 does not keep a log of the device type because of the infrequent contact.

[0059] In some examples the telecommunications network module 100 can be arranged to send a query message to a device if it has not received a device type indicator, and the data analysis instructions require that a device type is known, so that the appropriate data analysis instructions 121 can be carried out by the processor(s) 110.

[0060] In some examples the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; data usage; country location. As illustrated in Figure 7, this SIM-related network data can be stored in a table in the memory 120 of the telecommunications network module 100 with the associated SIM identifier.

[0061] Signal strength can be, for example, measured in decibel-millivolts per metre (dBmV / m). Cell location can be, for example, a set of coordinates or other means used to identify the location of a cell within the telecommunications network. The letters in the column for signal strength and cell location denote arbitrary values for both of these columns.

[0062] Data usage records the amount of data used for a specified period. For example, the period can be a month or another period associated with the telecommunications network provider such as a billing period. The country location of the SIM device is known by the network. In some examples the country location of the SIM identifier is in a different country to that of the telecommunications network module 100. In some examples the SIM device is associated with a different telecommunications network to the network of the telecommunications network module 100. The values / labels provided in the data usage and country location columns are for example purposes only.

[0063] In some examples the data analysis instructions 121 comprise instructions for assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 using one or more of the signal strength, cell location and country location metrics. For example one orlocation of the device 141, 142, 143. In some examples signal triangulation can be used to 15382304.JCJ.MEWdetermine the location. The location can be provided as a cell ID, or as derived GPS coordinates, or as a physical address (e.g. street name, city, country). This advantageously enables the one or more devices to be located without using GPS technology.

[0064] This is beneficial because it reduces the number of components required in the device to provide the necessary functionality and also is beneficial for determining devices whose location would not be easily determined using GPS, but still have network coverage from a telecommunications network. For example this can be where the device is inside a building, or surrounded by buildings, structures, plants or trees that would prevent it from receiving or transmitting signals required to use GPS technology.

[0065] In some examples the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages. The data analysis instructions 121 can comprise instructions for analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords. Figure 8 illustrates a table with a record of example SMS messages received at the telecommunications network module 100. At 09:00 and 10:00, the telecommunications network module 100 receives SMS messages from a first SIM identifier (XX…..X) and a second SIM identifier (YY….Y) respectively.

[0066] In this example the data analysis instructions 121 comprise instructions to analyse the text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords. In this example the text of both the messages received at 09:00 and 10:00 do not contain any of the keywords. The telecommunications network module therefore does not report these SMS messages in the analysed data. At 10:07, the telecommunications network module 100 receives an SMS message from the second SIM identifier. The SMS message is analysed and is found to contain the keyword “Event”. This SMS message is therefore reported in the analysed data. This is beneficial because the data can be filtered depending on the preferences of one or more users 161, 162, 163 of the user group 160. For example the user group 160 may not want to have updates on the SMS messages received containing the word “Status”, but do want to be informed when the device has been involved with an event. In this example, the event is linked with a new video clip that has been recorded. The device can comprise a motion activated video camera in this example and the video clip was recorded as a result of the camera being activated by motion.

[0067] The “Status” SMS messages shown in Figure 8 can be examples of keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices 141, 142, 143. Keepalive messages are messages sent by devices to other devices to check that a communication link is still established or that a device is operating as intended. In the example of Figure 8, the keepalive messages are sent within SMS messages to the telecommunications network 15382304.JCJ.MEWmodule 100. In other examples the device data received via the Internet can comprise keepalive messages. In some examples the telecommunications network module 100 can receive keepalive messages from both the SIM-related network data and device data. The telecommunications network module can determine that it has received a keepalive message providing it has received one of a SMS keepalive message or a keepalive message via the Internet.

[0068] In some examples the data analysis instructions 121 comprise instructions to report in the analysed data, when keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143. In the example of Figure 8, the first device associated with the first SIM identifier and the second device associated with the second SIM identifier are arranged to send to keepalive messages once every two hours. It can be seen that for the timescale covered by the table in Figure 8 that keepalive messages are received by the telecommunications network module 100 from the second device at two hour intervals of 10:00, 12:00, 14:00. The second device has therefore sent keepalive messages according to the schedule of once every two hours and the processor(s) 110 determines according to the data analysis instructions 121 that there is nothing to report regarding the keepalive messages associated with the second device.

[0069] In comparison, the first device associated with the first SIM ID sends keep alive messages at 09:00 and 11:00. It can be seen from the subsequent SMS messages received at 12:00 and 14:00 from the second device that the first device has not sent a keepalive message every two hours as it was scheduled to send an SMS keepalive message at 13:00. The processor(s) 110 can therefore determine according to the data analysis instructions 121, that as a keepalive message has not been sent, that the second device has stopped sending keepalive messages and reports this in the analysed data. This has the benefit that one or more users of the user group 160 can be alerted to the second device not functioning correctly without needing to review all the keepalive messages and manually deducing whether the devices have stopped sending keepalive messages.

[0070] In the example of Figure 8, the processor(s) 110 determines that the first device is no longer sending keepalive messages after the first device missed sending one keepalive message at 13:00. In other examples the processor(s) 110 can determine that devices have stopped sending keepalive messages after multiple keepalive messages have been determined not to have been sent. For example, going back to the table in Figure 8, if the first device did send a keepalive message at 15:00, the processor(s) 110 can determine that the missed keepalive message at 13:00 was an anomaly and therefore determined, 15382304.JCJ.MEWusing the data analysis instructions 121 that there is no need to report that keepalive messages have stopped being received from the first device in the analysed data.

[0071] Having SIM-related network data comprising SMS messages has several advantages. SMS messages can be sent in marginal coverage areas where data sent via the internet may fail, and so may be used as a failsafe option by devices where data sent via the internet fails. The telecommunications network module 100 can make the switchover to SMS transparent to the users of the user group 160 by providing the analysed data, instead of the users having to manually deduce that the data sent by the internet has failed and looking for the SMS. The SMS messages can also support server- initiated communications, and so can trigger processes in servers to occur automatically. I some examples the server

[0072] In some examples the device data comprises sensor data from the one or more devices 141, 142, 143. For example the sensor data can be captured using one or more sensors of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143. The sensor data can be, for example image data, video data, audio data, light sensor data, pressure sensor data, chemical sensor data, temperature sensor data, humidity sensor data, biomedical sensor data, proximity sensor data, gyroscopic and / or accelerometer sensor data, gas and / or air quality sensor data, amongst others. In some examples the data analysis instructions 121 comprise instructions to use an AI model , the AI model being pre-trained to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata regarding the sensor data and providing the metadata in the analysed data.

[0073] Figure 9 illustrates an example where the sensor data comprises image data. A first image 900 is received which illustrates an object 910 such as a house. The AI model can be pre-trained to recognise common objects between images to establish which objects will be present across a significant period of time such as the house 910. Object(s) 910 are considered by the AI model to not be of interest.

[0074] A second image 920 received shows object(s) 910 which the model recognises as object(s) not of interest, and also illustrates an animal 930, in this example a fox. The AI model can be trained to recognise and classify animals that are spotted in the images. In order to report animals that are seen, the AI model can require that the animal is recognised in a certain number of images or certain amount of time for video data in order to confidently determine that the animal 930 has been spotted. This can prevent various reports being sent where animals have only briefly been seen or where the AI model erroneously recognised an animal as appearing that was not actually present. For example a bird that quickly flies across the field of view of the camera used to capture the images 15382304.JCJ.MEW900, 920 but does not spend a significant amount of time in the field of vision of the camera is not recognised by the AI model.

[0075] The AI model can be a supervised classification model. Existing supervised classification models include the YOLO algorithm, and can be trained to classify a wide variety of objects, including animals, people, vehicles, etc.

[0076] In the example of Figure 9, the AI model can be trained to recognise different types of animal. In the second image 920, the AI model has recognised a fox. Using the data analysis instructions 121, the processor(s) 110 can be arranged to create metadata associated with the analysed image 920. In this example the metadata comprises a message 940 which could be sent via SMS or as device data via the Internet. The metadata can provide information about the image 920 which a user of the user group 160 is interested in. In the example message 940, the metadata provides details on the event and, in particular, that a fox was spotted and also provides the time and date of the event. This provides the advantage that a user of the user group 160 can quickly establish an event that has occurred associated with a device 141, 142, 143 and can therefore quickly establish events that have occurred associated with the one or more devices 141, 142, 143 without having to manually inspect the sensor data, in this example the image data.

[0077] In some examples the analysis of the sensor data can include further analysis to establish more about an event. In the example of image 920, the camera may capture subsequent images and an image processing technique can be carried out to establish the difference between the images. For example it can carry out image subtraction. Analysis between the images can in some examples only occur if an event has been detected such as the fox being spotted in image 920. In some examples where image subtraction to spot the difference between images takes place, it can be found that the animal does not move over a period of time. In this scenario the processor(s) 110 using the data analysis instructions and / or the AI model determines that the animal is not moving. This could indicate to the user that the animal is either asleep or has died. In other examples the processor(s) 110 using the data analysis instructions 121 can determine an amount of time that the animal is moving for before either leaving the field of view of the camera or before it stops moving.

[0078] In some examples the sensor data is appended to the metadata when it is provided in the analysed data. Alternatively a link to the sensor data can be appended to the metadata. The sensor data appended to the metadata or provided as a link can either be only the sensor data associated with the event or it can also include sensor data not associated with the invent. This allows the user to inspect the sensor data if they are interested to analyse more details of the event. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0079] In examples where the metadata has a link, the link can also enable the user to access other related sensor data. For example if the metadata relates to an animal being spotted in the image, the link may enable the user to access audio data from a microphone associated with the camera which spotted the animal.

[0080] Figure 10 illustrates an example device 141 of the one or more devices. As in other examples, the one or more devices comprise a SIM device 151. In this example, the device comprises an input / output interface 1000, at least one processor(s) 1010, memory 1020 and one or more sensors 1030. The memory 1020 can comprise computer programme instructions which cause the device to send SIM-related network data and device data by the Internet to the telecommunications network module 100. The one or more sensors 1030 can collect sensor data as previously described. The sensor data can be sent as at least part of the device data. The input / output interface 1000 can comprise any means which enables the one or more devices to communicate with the telecommunications network and the Internet. In some examples the input / output interface 1000 is arranged to connect only to a telecommunications network and sends both the SIM-related network data and the device data through the connecting to the telecommunications network directly. In another example the device data can be sent to the telecommunication network module 100 via another network. For example the device can connect via the input / output interface 1000 to a Wi-Fi modem located in the vicinity of the device.

[0081] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a device 141 connects with the telecommunications network including the telecommunications network module 100, and how the device 141 sends SIM-related network data, and device data via the internet through to the telecommunications network module 100. The schematic diagram also illustrates providing analysed data to one or more users of the user group 160.

[0082] Figure 11 shows a data plane path 1100 and a control plane path 1120. Generally speaking the device data is sent via the data plane 1100 and the SIM-related network data is sent via the control plane 1120. This isn't necessarily always the case, in particular, SMS messages, whilst considered as SIM-related network data, are typically sent via the data plane path 1100.

[0083] In this example the device 141 sends the SIM-related network data and the device data directly via be telecommunications network by establishing connection(s) with the radio access network 1130 of the telecommunications network. In other examples, the device data can be sent to the telecommunications network module via another route. For example the device 141 input / output interface 1000 can connected to a Wi-Fi network in the local vicinity to the device or another Internet access point to send device data. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0084] In the example of Figure 11 the data plane path 1100 first passes through the core network 1140, using the GPRS tunnelling protocol (GTP). One or more network nodes 1140 represent the transition from the core network 1140 to the internet 1150. In this example the data plane path 1100 passes through a virtual private network (VPN) pipeline 1151 as part of a private access point name (APN) connection. This allows the device data to be sent using private Internet Protocol addresses. The data plane path 1100 then passes through into the telecommunications network module 100 via the one or more network nodes 130.

[0085] The control plane 1120 bypasses the core network 1140 and the Internet 1150 and passes into the telecommunications network module 100 via the one or more nodes 130.

[0086] In Figure 11, example programming logic / instructions and data that is stored in the memory 120 of the module 100 and used by the processor(s) 110 are illustrated. Internet Protocol look-up logic 1161 is the logic responsible for terminating the VPN and obtaining the Internet Protocol address of incoming data via the data plane path 1100. Protocol translation logic 1162 is responsible for translating the device data from one protocol to another. For example it can translate from the Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to the HTTP protocol. Data analysis logic 1163 in this example comprises the data analysis instructions 121 which are used to analyse the device data and the SIM-related network data. SIM-related logics 1165, 1166 support separate SIM reports and queries that are not linked to device data but are keyed to device (rather than SIM) identifiers. These logics are responsible for obtaining the SIM-related network data from the control path 1120 and processing it as necessary for subsequent data analysis. The device data and the SIM- related network data are fed into the database 1165 which is then used to store the data for analysis and also to store it post-analysis.

[0087] The database 1164 can be a relational database containing different tables of data. The tables illustrated in Figures 6-8 are examples of tables stored in the relational database.

[0088] Figure 11 shows the data plane path 1100 and the control plane path 1120 passing to the one or more network nodes 130 to exit the telecommunications network module 100. The analysed data can pass via the data plane path 1100. The linked device data and the SIM-related network data can also pass through to the one or more network nodes 130 for transmitting via the API to the application 1180 used by the user on a user device application 1170. In some examples, SIM-related network data can be sent separately via the control plane path 1120 to the user 161. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0089] Figure 12 shows an example method 1200 of operating a telecommunications network module 100. The method comprises, in a first step 1210, pre-assigning Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices.

[0090] In a second step 1220, the method 1200 comprises storing data analysis instructions for the telecommunications network module. The data analysis instructions 121 are stored on memory 120 of the telecommunication network module 100. The data analysis instructions 121 are associated with the user group 160 comprising one or more users 161, 162, 163, 164.

[0091] The method 1200 continues in step 1230 with storing the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs 122.

[0092] In the next step 1240 the method 1200 comprises receiving SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers, and device data from the one or more devices via the Internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses.

[0093] The next step 1250 comprises generating linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising matching at least some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identity and Internet Protocol address pairs 122 by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data.

[0094] In step 1260 the method 1200 comprises analysing the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions 121 to provide analyse data relating to at least one of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143.

[0095] In step 1270, the method 1200 comprises providing access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group 160.

[0096] Figure 13 illustrates an example in which the method 1200 comprises an additional step 1300 of providing access to the linked SIM-related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group 160. Figure 13 illustrates step 1300 occurring after step 1270. In some examples, steps 1270 and 1300 occur at least substantially simultaneously. In other examples step 1300 occurs before step 1270. As described above, access to the linked SIM-related network data and device data can be restricted based on the access level of the user 161, 162, 163, 164, and so step 1300 may only occur in certain scenarios as discussed above, for example. The dashed lines in this 15382304.JCJ.MEWFigure and other Figures illustrate that other steps of the method 1200 as illustrated in Figure 12are performed before / after the additional steps shown in these Figures.

[0097] Figure 14 illustrates an example in which method 1200 comprises an additional step 1400. The step 1400 comprises receiving the data analysis instructions 121 via a configuration application programming interface (API). Figure 14 illustrates step 1400 occurring before step 1220 and after step 1210. In some examples step 1400 occurs before step 1210. In some examples step 1400 is repeated subsequently after step 1220. This can occur for example where a user of the user group 160 or a technician 141 updates the data analysis instructions 121. In some examples step 1400 occurs only once.

[0098] Figure 15 illustrates example sub-steps of step 1260 of method 1200. The sub- steps of step 1260 illustrated can occur in different orders. In some examples any one of the sub-steps can occur and other combinations of multiple sub-steps can occur in other examples. The sub-steps shown in Figure 15 do not limit other possibilities that can occur for step 1260.

[0099] In some examples the step 1260 comprises sub-step 1261. In the example of sub-step 1261, the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; country location. Sub-step 1261 comprises assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143, using one or more of the metrics.

[0100] In examples including sub-step 1262, the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages. Sub-step 1262 comprises analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords, and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords.

[0101] In some examples the SIM-related network data and / or device data comprises keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices 141, 142, 143. The sub-step 1263 comprises: reporting, in the analysed data, keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices 141, 142, 143.

[0102] In some examples the device data comprises image data. The sub-step 1265 comprises using a machine learning model to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata, and providing the metadata in the analysed data.

[0103] Figure 16 illustrates an example in which method 1200 comprises an additional step. In this example the method 1200 comprises the additional step 1600 which comprises terminating a virtual private network pipeline as part of a private access point name connection. Figure 16 illustrates the step 1600 occurring between steps 1230 and 1240. The dashed lines in this Figure and other Figures illustrate that other steps of the 15382304.JCJ.MEWmethod 1200 as illustrated in Figure 12are performed before / after the additional steps shown in these Figures.

[0104] Figure 17 illustrates part of example method 1200 with an additional step 1700 of translating the device data from an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to another protocol for the analysed data. Figure 17 illustrates step 1700 occurring after step 1240 and before step 1250.

[0105] Figure 18 illustrates an example flow chart of operations occurring between the one or more devices 141, 142, 143, the user 161 and the telecommunications network module 100. To illustrate the different operations, the device 141 and the SIM module 151 have been separated and only one user 161 of the user group 160 is shown.

[0106] The operations that occur in the example of Figure 18 can be split into three sections. The first section 1810 represents the provision set of operations. The second section 1820 illustrates the connect set of operations and the third section 1830 illustrates the manage set of operations. Starting with the provision section 1810, The flow chart begins with the SIM identifier module being ordered and delivered to the user 161. In this example the user 161, as well as receiving the analysed data, is also the person who sets up the device 141 with the SIM identifier module. In examples where the SIM identifier module is an eSIM, the order and delivery process is a virtual process, and the SIM identifier may be obtained by the user or automatically provided to the module 100.

[0107] In the operation 1812, the user configures the SIM for use with the telecommunications network module 100. For example the user 161 can use the API 400 to request that a new device is set up with the module 100. In this example in operation 1813, the user 161 either creates or adds to a table which adds the SIM identifier and creates an asset identity to be used by the user 161. For example the asset identity can belong to a class of identities which are preferred / created by the user group 160. In operation 1814, the SIM identifier module is inserted into the device 141. In examples where the SIM identifier module is an eSIM this step does not occur.

[0108] In operation 1815, the table comprising the asset identity and SIM identifier is sent to the telecommunications network module 100. In operation 1816, the telecommunications network module 100 assigns an Internet Protocol address to the SIM identifier module, and also can assign Internet Protocol addresses to any other SIM identifiers in the table sent in operation 1815. The Internet Protocol address(es) are then linked with the corresponding SIM identifier modules in step 1817.

[0109] In the connect section 1820, the device 141 communicates with the telecommunications network module 100 in operation 1821. For example the device 15382304.JCJ.MEWsends device data via the Internet using the Internet Protocol address it has been assigned. The telecommunications network module 100 links the Internet Protocol address to the appropriate SIM identifier and the corresponding asset identity.

[0110] In operation 1822, the telecommunications network module 100 requests SIM- related network data from the SIM device and the SIM module sends this information requested back to the telecommunications network module 100. In some examples the SIM module has already sent the SIM-related data or provides a stream of the SIM-related network data to the telecommunications network module 100.

[0111] In operation 1823, the telecommunications network module 100 communicates device data received from the device 141 and the SIM-related network data as authenticated data having authenticated the Internet Protocol address linked to the corresponding SIM Identifier.

[0112] In operation 1824, the telecommunications network module 100 can provide analysed data to the user 161. It can also provide the raw data and also translate from one protocol e.g. IoT protocol to another protocol.

[0113] In the manage section 1830, the operation 1831 by the user 161 is a query by asset identity. The telecommunications network module 100 then queries by the SIM Identifier in operation 1832. When the telecommunications network module 100 has received the query back from the SIM module it responds to the user 161 by asset identity in operation 1833.

[0114] Optionally or at some later time the user 11 can request a SIM report or alternatively the telecommunications network module 100 can request this and report it to the user 161 to keep the SIM-related network data up to date. In operation 1836 the telecommunications network module 100 can apply SIM changes. By linking SIM reports with device and application context, anomalies may become apparent and automated actions (such as de-activating a SIM) can be taken.

[0115] Figure 19 illustrates an example telecommunications network module 100. In this example, the module 100 is virtual in that one or more of its components are not located in the same physical space but are distributed and communicate via cloud networking 1900. The components of the processor 110, the memory 120 and one more nodes 130 can operate together as a virtual machine via networking using the cloud 1900.

[0116] Each of the components themselves can be physically distributed. For example the one or more processor(s) can be separate processors which communicate via the cloud 1900. The memory 120 can be distributed memory which can be accessed via the 15382304.JCJ.MEWcloud 1900 and in examples where there is more than one node 130, each of the nodes communicates via the cloud 1900 to the processor(s) 110 and the memory 120.

[0117] In another example method of operating the telecommunications network module 100, The computer-implemented method comprises receiving at one or more nodes 130 of the telecommunications network module 100, SIM-related network data associated with one or more devices 141, 142, 143, identifying a SIM identifier associated with the SIM- related network data, determining whether the SIM Identifier associated with the SIM- related network data is present in a table stored in the memory 120 of the telecommunications network module 100. The table comprises SIM Identifiers associated with different Internet Protocol addresses. The method continues with sending the SIM- related network data with the associated SIM Identifier number and Internet Protocol address to a user device. In some examples the method also comprises receiving device data via the internet from the one or more devices, linking at least some of the device data to the SIM-related network data with SIM identifiers present in the table stored in the memory 120 by determining whether the Internet Protocol address(es) associated with the device data is present in the table stored in the memory 120 and sending the device data with the linked SIM-related network data to a user device.

[0118] In some examples this method also comprises a step of assigning an Internet Protocol address where a SIM Identifier is found to not be present in the table and communicating that Internet Protocol address back to the device 141, 142, 143.

[0119] Figure 20 illustrates a storage medium 2000. The storage medium can be transitory or non-transitory. The medium 2000 stores computer program instructions 2010. The computer program instructions 2010 are for operating a telecommunications network module 100. The computer program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processor(s) to: perform any of the methods described herein.

[0120] The storage medium can be the memory 120 of the module 100. In other examples, the storage medium 2000 can be a disc or a server and can be installed into the memory 120.

[0121] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

[0122] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0123] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A telecommunications network module, comprising: one or more processor(s) arranged to pre-assign Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers; memory arranged to store: data analysis instructions for the telecommunications network module, the data analysis instructions being associated with a user group comprising one or more users; and the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs; one or more network nodes arranged to receive: SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers; device data from the one or more devices via the internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses; wherein the one or more processor(s) are arranged to: generate linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising: matching at last some of the received device data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM-related network data; wherein the one or more processor(s) are further arranged to: analyse the linked SIM-related network data and device data according to the data analysis instructions to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices; provide access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group.

2. A telecommunications network module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more processor(s) are arranged to provide access to the linked SIM-related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group.

3. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein providing access to the analysed data comprises using an Application Programming Interface between the telecommunications network module and at least one user device. 15382304.JCJ.MEW4. A telecommunications network module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Application Programming Interface is arranged to specify a subset of the analysed data required for one or more users of the user group.

5. A telecommunications network module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Application Programming Interface is arranged to provide different subsets of the analysed data to different users or user subgroups of the user group.

6. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device data from each of the one or more devices comprises a device type indicator; wherein the data analysis instructions comprise different instructions for different device types.

7. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; data usage, country location.

8. A telecommunications network module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the data analysis instructions comprises instructions for assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices using one or more of the signal strength, cell location and country location metrics.

9. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages.

10. A telecommunications network module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data analysis instructions comprises instructions for analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords, and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords. 15382304.JCJ.MEW11. A telecommunications module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the SIM-related network data and / or device data comprise keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices, wherein the data analysis instructions comprise instructions to report, in the analysed data, when keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices.

12. A telecommunications module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device data comprises sensor data, wherein the data analysis instructions comprise instructions to use an AI model, The AI model being pre-trained to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata regarding the sensor data, and providing the metadata in the analysed data.

13. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the telecommunications network module is arranged to receive the data analysis instructions via a configuration Application Programming Interface.

14. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the telecommunications network module is arranged to terminate a Virtual Private Network (VPN) pipeline as part of a private Access Point Name (APN) connection.

15. A telecommunications network module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more processor(s) are arranged to translate the device data from an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to another protocol for the analysed data.

16. A method of operating a telecommunications network module comprising: pre-assigning Internet Protocol addresses to one or more devices, the one or more devices having associated SIM identifiers; storing, on memory of the telecommunication network module, data analysis instructions for the telecommunications network module, the data analysis instructions being associated with a user group comprising one or more users, and storing the SIM identifiers with their allocated Internet Protocol addresses as SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs; 15382304.JCJ.MEWreceiving SIM-related network data with associated SIM identifiers, and device data from the one or more devices via the internet with associated Internet Protocol addresses; generating linked SIM-related network data and device data, the generating comprising: matching at least some of the received data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated Internet Protocol addresses of the received device data; matching at least some of the received SIM-related network data to corresponding SIM identifier and Internet Protocol address pairs by using the associated SIM identifiers of the received SIM- related network data; the method further comprising: analysing the linked SIM-related network data and device data according to the data analysis instructions to provide analysed data relating to at least one of the one or more devices; providing access to the analysed data to one or more users of the user group.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, additionally comprising: providing access to the linked SIM-related network data and device data to one or more users of the user group.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the SIM-related network data comprises SIM identifiers each with one or more of the following metrics: signal strength; cell location; country location, and wherein analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: assigning a location to at least one of the one or more devices using one or more of the metrics.

19. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the SIM-related network data comprises SMS messages, wherein analysing the linked SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: analysing text of the SMS messages for one or more keywords, and reporting SMS messages in the analysed data that contain the one or more keywords. 15382304.JCJ.MEW20. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the SIM-related network data and / or device data comprise keepalive messages associated with the one or more devices, wherein analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises: reporting, in the analysed data, when keepalive messages have stopped being received from a device of the one or more devices.

21. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the device data comprises sensor data, wherein analysing the SIM-related network data and the device data according to the data analysis instructions comprises using a machine-learning model to analyse the sensor data to produce metadata, and providing the metadata in the analysed data.

22. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 21, additionally comprising: receiving the data analysis instructions via a configuration Application Programming Interface.

23. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 22, comprising: terminating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) pipeline and / or an Access Point Name (APN) pipeline to obtain the device data with associated Internet Protocol addresses.

24. A method as claimed in any of claims 16 to 23, comprising: translating the device data from an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to another protocol for the analysed data.

25. Computer program instructions for operating a telecommunications network module, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processor(s) to: perform the method of any of claims 16 to 24. 15382304.JCJ.MEW

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