Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is tailored for United States and Puerto Rico for the new Plug-and-Go iSocket since 2021.
  • 1. Do I need Wi-Fi or any other Internet connection?

    Nope! When power fails, the Wi-Fi will too. iSocket is a cellular solution!
  • 2. Will iSocket notify me when power is restored?

    Absolutely!
  • 3. What is the cost of ownership? Do I need a data plan?

    You don't need your own SIM card or data plan. This new (since 2021) iSocket is a Plug-and-Go hassle-free solution with integrated connectivity that allows your iSocket to be connected to any available cellular network. We offer you a plan in proportion to the features you use. You will see your plan on checkout after you have selected your applications. Our prices are better than anything you would get from a local provider. More, you get not just a bare connection as it would be with your local provider, but also a convenient interface to work with iSocket and amazing support that we could not provide if we were selling you just hardware. On the top of that you have 30 days free test period and 30 days money back warranty.
  • 4. How quick is delivery and how much?

    We offer free shipping for all orders. We usually dispatch on the same or next business day and delivery usually takes 1-3 business days. For example to NYC delivery usually on the next business day after dispatched. For some remote locations it can take up to 5 business days. We plan to introduce accurate shipping calculations based on a zip code on checkout later. Probably, when you read this FAQ it is already there.
  • 5. Do you test products before shipment? How do you test?

    We have a full 100% burn-in test during manufacturing. We perform a functional test before shipping. This test can take up to 30 minutes per product, as a specially designed system checks all aspects of iSocket performance based on extensive documentation. When you buy directly from iSocket Systems, our system verifies that the test has been passed. The product that did not pass the test cannot be sent - the system will detect and prohibit it. We pay particular attention to signal strength. We reject units if the signal quality is lower than usual for the area where we perform the test. If the product has a temperature feature and is ordered with a temperature sensor we test it and check that it shows temperature correctly. Then we also check the power outage feature for devices where this feature is available. Finally, we reset the device to the default and package it for dispatch. It is 100% guaranteed that you will get a tested and working product.
  • 6. May I use my own SIM card?

    The whole idea of this new (since 2021) iSocket is that it is a hassle-free solution where end users do not have to think about SIM cards, networks and so on. The first 10 years (since 2010) that we only sold hardware our support team was overfilled with questions about numerous problems related to SIM cards and SMS deliverability. We would say that about 99% of the problems were for this reason. We won't that poor experience to our customers anymore.

    In any case, you should have paid your mobile operator for the SIM card and data usage. Text (SMS) control is not even considered - this is an outdated technology that does not allow any quality real-time monitoring. Delivery of non-human generated SMS in many countries is regulated and more and more countries impose restrictions on this. This is especially true in North America and Australia. It is also noticeable that the SMS-only plans have become a rarity. Texting (SMS) from machines to humans is not reliable in any country anymore.

    The main plans of mobile operators are designed to use a large amount of data for Internet browsing. New special plans for IoT (Internet of Things) usually have a small amount of data for a considerable fee. Our plans are developed in proportion to the features used and they are more beneficial for you that any plans from local operators.

    Additionally, you get not just a bare connectivity but an all-in-one solution. On the top of just connectivity that you would anyway need to buy from your provider you get an absolutely convenient interface for managing your iSocket, guaranteed connection to ANY available mobile network and we after all will be able to provide effective support, which is impossible when clients use their own SIM cards.

    In all respects, the new iSocket with built-in connectivity is much better!

    Not saying that this is iSocket to last - it supports all modern mobile technologies that are here to stay for next decades.
  • 7. How long are you on the market?

    We are a company with reputation who invented these power outage monitoring technologies more than 10 years ago when the world did not know about them. We are innovators of them and we are here to stay!
  • 8. Can I receive email and voice notifications about power outages and power restore events too?

    Yes, you can! Text, voice or email notifications about power outages as well as power restore events are available in this new iSocket since 2021. Voice messages can be customized. Voice alerts about power outages are highly recommended, because they are not affected by different regulations/restrictions enforced by operators for text messages in some countries even though we are whitelisted for such alert.
  • 9. What type of phone will work with iSocket?

    Any mobile phone! Even a phone from your grandmother, if this is cellular ;) Seriously, though, it does not matter if you have an iPhone, Samsung, BlackBerry, a contracted Verizon phone or locked AT&T phone or even an old Nokia 250. In fact, iSocket and your phone are independent from each other. You only need a phone to accept text messages or calls about power outages and other alarm events - the same way as you accept messages and calls from your friends. Moreover, iSocket can send a voice message to a landline phone. You can manage your new Plug-and-Go iSocket from a computer if you don't have a smart phone.
  • 10. How many numbers can be added for power outage notifications and temperature alerts?

    In the new Plug-and-Go iSocket since 2021 you can add unlimited phones for power outage alerts as well as for notifications about other alarms, such as temperature rise / temperature fall, burglar, water leak, gas leak, etc.
  • 11. I only need iSocket to switch on / off or restart my modems (routers) remotely - why do I need a plan?

    You don't need your own SIM card or data plan but you will have a plan with us. We offer you a plan in proportion to the features you use. Since 2021 iSocket is a hassle-free solution with integrated connectivity that allows your iSocket to be connected to any available mobile network out of the box. We pay cellular service providers a base fee to keep your iSocket up and running. On the top of that we pay a fee for data usage. We also pay to datacenters to support 24/7/365 operation of your iSocket. In fact the largest part of the payment will go to third parties. At the same time, our prices remain better than what you could get from local providers, because we buy services in large volumes.

    When you only use iSocket occasionally we continue pay for such services to thirds parties. Finally, just a remote switching (reboot) feature uses the same amount of data/services as any other feature such as power outage alerting or even more, because it require the unit to be always online in order to access it remotely.
  • 12. May I use it occasionally few times in a year or so without a plan?

    Connectivity is integrated into iSocket. We pay third parties multiple fees even when you don't pay us. You can stop use it anytime, it is not a contractual agreement. There are options to suspend it temporary but they are mainly designed to protect you from loss of your devices. Please see Terms of Use for details - in Chapter 9 we explain by a non-bureaucratic language how it works. You may find this policy fine for your purposes. Otherwise please consider your cost as an annual cost - similar like what you pay to insurance companies for your car, home and never use it, or what you pay for a broadcasting, TV, etc. - even if you don't use them all the time, or taxes you pay for a remote cabin that you visits only few times in a year and probably never in Winter time.
  • 13. May I purchase it now and start use it later? When my test period will expire?

    Please review our up-to-date Accounts & Devices Activation Policy in the section 9.2.
  • 14. Can I pay for the year rather than monthly for the data plan?

    We use is a classical prepaid model - you can put any amount on your account balance and your service fees will be reduced from it according to your plan and text/voice messages or other one-time fee operations usage. Billing is daily for the plan (which means a certain amount is deducted from your account balance daily according to your plan) or based on the event for a one-time fee operations like text/voice messages (i.e. Pay As You Go, PAYG). Say, you put $100, your plan is $3.99/mo and you've got 200 messages for a given year. Your account balance will be $34.12 by the end of that year ($100-$3.99*12-200*$0.09). If you can figure out what will your average usage for text/voice messages about power outages or other alerts you can top up your account balance for the amount you need for one year. You can add additional features to your plan anytime you wish, it will be changing your monthly payment and so your account balance will be deplete earlier. We provide all details about your plan and fees in the 'Billing' section of your account. Everything is transparent and it's up to you to decide how much you put on your account balance in advance. You can configure auto top up too.
  • 15. Are my credit card details protected when I pay through your website?

    Of course! We do not store your card details. Our payment provider BlueSnap is PCI compliant. You can also pay with PayPal if you wish so.
  • 16. May I return a product if I am not satisfied?

    You have full rights to return a product in accordance with the terms of your retailer and the legislation prevailing in your country. Please check the terms of sale and return in each individual case with your retailer. If you purchased the product directly from iSocket Systems we offer a full money-back guarantee up to 30 days together with free test period up to 30 days.
  • 17. How long is the warranty and who should I contact in the event of a claim?

    The warranty terms for products purchased from different retailers can vary. You need to contact the retailer who sold you the product in a warranty case. If you have ordered the product directly from iSocket Systems, we offer at least one year full warranty from the date of purchase. If you experience a fault, please contact us. We aim to give you full satisfaction when dealing with warranty! That is our advantage in compare with no-name sellers or corporations who don't care after they sold the product to you.
  • 18. Do I need technical skills to use iSocket?

    Nope! We have 10+ years of experience in this field and we've invented these monitoring technologies. We know your needs and we are able to amaze you with how simple and easy everything will work out of the box without a complex configuration. We will configure iSocket for you based on your order and you can do changes anytime you wish via a convenient interface from your mobile phone or computer. This new (since 2021) iSocket that combines all our 10+ years experience is really awesome! Power, energy, temperature and alarm monitoring were never that easy!

    Only for some alarm sensors (motion, smoke or gas detectors) you will need some help with wiring. This is another story and only few customers require this.
  • 19. This iSocket is 4G or 5G?

    Simple answer: it is 5G.

    Correct answer:

    'G' means generation, it says nothing about technologies. It is misleading terminology created by marketing people. We were hooked on this terminology something like 7 years ago too and it was a mistake to add it to the name of the product iSocket 3G, which is now (since 2021) obsolete for USA.

    Technologies we use now in the new iSocket called eMTC and NB-IoT - see Wikipedia.

    These are latest technologies created specifically for devices like iSocket. You don't actually need to think it terms of "G", you just need to know that with these technologies your iSocket will work for 10+ years (likely 20+). These are latest technologies which are not even deployed in some countries, however USA is fully covered with eMTC. Again, the new iSocket represents a fully new approach - you don't think about tech, networks, coverage in your area, SIMs, carriers, contracts, difficult settings, etc - you just receive a Plug-and-Go solution that will work on any location and will last.

    If you like to speak in marketing terms of 'G' we can give a simple answer: it is 5G (see the same link to Wikipedia).
  • 20. I am a member of press and want to review your product. How do I contact you?

    Please contact us through this form.