How to Resell Internet/Data Plans on Shopify

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction
2. Why Resell Internet/Data Plans on Shopify? More Than Just an Add-On
3. The Hurdles of Traditional Data Plan Resale
4. How Spenza Empowers Shopify Stores to Seamlessly Resell Data Plans
5. Step-by-Step: Launching Your Data Plan Resale on Shopify with Spenza
   • Step 1: Partner with Spenza
   • Step 2: Curate Your Data Plan Offerings
   • Step 3: Integrate with Your Shopify Store
   • Step 4: Define Your Pricing, Markups, and Margins
   • Step 5: Streamline Customer Onboarding & Subscription Management
   • Step 6: Monitor, Analyze, and Optimize
6. The CaseStudy – IMZ
7. The Compelling Benefits of Using Spenza for Shopify Resellers
8. Conclusion: Unlock New Dimensions of Growth on Shopify
9. FAQs

Resell Data Plans on Shopify: Your Next Big Revenue Stream Awaits

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected. By 2025, it’s projected that there will be approximately 75.44 billion IoT devices globally, encompassing everything from smartwatches and home sensors to industrial machinery .

If you’re a Shopify store owner, particularly one selling connected devices, you’re sitting on a potential goldmine: the ability to resell data plans on Shopify. The explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, from wearables like smartwatches to smart home sensors and fleet management tools, has created an unprecedented demand for seamless, integrated connectivity. Consumers and businesses alike are no longer just buying devices; they’re seeking complete solutions.

Imagine offering your customers not just your innovative product, but also the data plan it needs to function, all in one convenient purchase from your Shopify store. This is where the concept of “Connectivity as a Service” (CaaS) comes into play, and it’s simpler than you think. 

This guide will walk you through how to tap into this burgeoning market, enhance your product offerings, and create lucrative recurring revenue streams by reselling internet and IoT data plans directly from your e-commerce platform.

Why Resell Internet/Data Plans on Shopify? More Than Just an Add-On

Integrating data plan sales into your Shopify store isn’t just about adding another product to your catalog; it’s a strategic move that can significantly benefit your business in multiple ways:

1. Unlock New Recurring Revenue Streams
   Unlike one-off product sales, data plans are typically subscription-based. This means a steady, predictable flow of recurring revenue, boosting your bottom line and business stability. 
   Companies like Angel Watch have successfully used this model to create recurring revenue.
2. Enhance Your Product Offerings & Value Proposition
   For businesses selling connected devices (e.g., kids’ smartwatches, pet trackers, IoT sensors, security cameras), bundling connectivity is a game-changer. 
   It provides a complete, out-of-the-box solution for your customers, making your products more attractive and user-friendly. No more telling customers to “go find a SIM card and plan” – you provide it all.
3. Increase Customer Loyalty and Lifetime Value
   By offering a branded mobile service and a seamless connectivity experience, you deepen your relationship with your customers. They see you as a one-stop-shop for their needs, fostering loyalty and increasing the chances of repeat business and higher lifetime value.
4. Tap into Unmet Market Demand
   Traditional mobile operators often offer rigid, expensive plans that don’t fit the specific needs of many connected devices (e.g., low data requirements for smartwatches or specialized IoT data plans for industrial sensors). 
   As a reseller, you can offer tailored wireless plans e-commerce customers are actively seeking, catering to niche markets that larger players overlook. For instance, some devices may only need a few megabytes a month, while others require substantial high-bandwidth data globally.
5. Competitive Differentiation
   In a crowded marketplace, offering integrated data plans can set your store apart. It demonstrates innovation and a customer-centric approach.

The Hurdles of Traditional Data Plan Resale

The idea of telecommunications resale might sound daunting, and traditionally, it was. Businesses faced significant barriers:

Challenge	Traditional Approach
Complex Operator Negotiations	Lengthy, difficult contract negotiations with multiple Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), often requiring hefty commitments.
Infrastructure & Billing Overheads	Significant investment in billing systems, customer support infrastructure, and technical expertise.
Managing Diverse Plans & Pricing	Difficulty in sourcing, managing, and pricing a variety of plans to suit different device needs and geographies.
Regulatory & Compliance Burdens	Navigating complex telecom regulations in different regions.
Lack of Flexibility & Customization	MNOs often provide one-size-fits-all plans, unsuitable for specialized or low-usage devices.
Inventory Management	Handling physical SIM card inventory and distribution.

These challenges made it nearly impossible for most e-commerce businesses to consider reselling data plans. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically with the advent of “Connectivity as a Service” (CaaS) platforms and Mobile Virtual Network Enablers (MVNEs). These platforms act as an abstraction layer, simplifying the complexities and empowering businesses of all sizes to become connectivity providers.

This is precisely where a solution like Spenza comes in, transforming a once-complex venture into a streamlined, manageable process, enabling you to sell mobile plans Shopify customers can easily access.

How Spenza Empowers Shopify Stores to Seamlessly Resell Data Plans

Spenza is an operator-neutral connectivity enablement platform designed to help businesses procure, manage, and resell wireless services. 

It essentially acts as your “Stripe for connectivity“, providing the tools and infrastructure you need without the traditional headaches. Here’s how Spenza makes reselling Shopify data plans a reality

1. MVNO Enablement Solution

Spenza’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) enablement solution empowers businesses to effectively become mobile operators by reselling eSIM plans through a white-label app or, crucially for e-commerce, their existing web store. This means you can offer eSIM Shopify integration.

2. Curated Marketplace of Mobile Plans

Forget negotiating with individual MNOs. Spenza provides access to a curated marketplace of customizable mobile plans from leading operators and IoT platforms worldwide (including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Aeris, etc.). 

This allows you to select and offer a diverse range of plans, from low-bandwidth options perfect for wearables to high-bandwidth plans for data-intensive IoT applications.

3. Seamless Shopify Integration

This is key for e-commerce businesses. Spenza offers direct Shopify integration, allowing you to manage subscriptions and handle payments with no developer resources needed. As highlighted in the Angel Watch case study, “Vendors can bundle and resell mobile plans via their Shopify store, streamlining onboarding.” Spenza even provides a Shopify app to make reselling effortless in minutes.

4. Active Spend Management & Cost Optimization

Spenza’s platform isn’t just about selling; it’s about smart management. It allows you to track carrier costs across multiple pools and optimize usage. Features like active plan assignment mean you and your customers pay for actual usage rather than being locked into oversized, preset operator plans. 

Spenza uses APIs to monitor usage and intelligently adjust plans mid-cycle to ensure users are on the most optimal plan, potentially saving up to 30% on wireless costs.

5. White-Label Experience for a Branded Mobile Service

Maintain your brand identity throughout the customer journey. Spenza enables you to deliver a branded mobile service, offering cellular service under your brand, “just like an MVNO.” This reinforces brand loyalty and customer trust.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Check out our latest insights on the future of mobile virtual networks in our MVNO Trends 2025 blog.

6. Simplified Management & Operations

Spenza offers a “single pane of glass” for managing services and wireless spend. This includes single contract procurement, unified connectivity, and billing, even if you’re sourcing plans from multiple operators. 

The platform handles complexities like parent-child billing, hierarchical account management, and inventory tracking of SIMs, devices, and services.

7. Support for Diverse Connectivity Needs

Whether it’s IoT data plans, eSIMs for global travelers, or standard mobile plans, Spenza’s platform is versatile. It supports various devices including wearables, IoT sensors, smartphones, travel SIMs, 5G routers, and MiFi devices. 

The platform offers multi-operator SIMs/eSIMs, which are game-changers for IoT connectivity, allowing configurable preferred network order.

Step-by-Step: Launching Your Data Plan Resale on Shopify with Spenza

Ready to turn your Shopify store into a connectivity hub? Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to reselling data plans using a platform like Spenza

Step 1: Partner with Spenza

Reach out to Spenza and sign up for their platform. Discuss your specific needs, target audience, and the types of devices you sell or intend to support. Understand their “Connectivity as a Service” model and how their MVNO enablement solution can be tailored to your business.

Step 2: Curate Your Data Plan Offerings

Explore Spenza’s curated marketplace featuring mobile plans from a multitude of MNOs, MVNOs, and IoT platforms. Select plans that best suit your target customers and the devices they use. Consider data amounts (low for simple IoT, high for streaming/routers), coverage (local, national, international roaming), and contract lengths. 

Spenza allows customization, so you can create plans that aren’t available off-the-shelf from major carriers.

Step 3: Integrate with Your Shopify Store

Leverage Spenza’s pre-built Shopify integration or app. This will connect your chosen data plans to your Shopify product listings.

Ensure a seamless user experience where customers can easily add a data plan when purchasing a connected device or buy a standalone plan. The “no developer resources needed” aspect is a huge plus.

For step-by-step instructions, please refer to the guide: How to Launch an MVNO with the Spenza Platform.

Step 4: Define Your Pricing, Markups, and Margins

Set your resale prices for the data plans. Spenza’s platform facilitates setting markups if you’re working within a reseller or Managed Service Provider (MSP) model. Determine competitive yet profitable pricing. Consider offering bundled discounts (device + plan) to incentivize sales.

Step 5: Streamline Customer Onboarding & Subscription Management

Utilize Spenza’s tools for customer onboarding. This includes activating plans, managing eSIM distribution, and handling ongoing subscription management Shopify customers expect. Spenza’s platform is designed to handle user subscriptions, collect payments globally, and manage the lifecycle of services.

Step 6: Monitor, Analyze, and Optimize

Use Spenza’s dashboard and active spend management tools to track plan usage, revenues, and costs. Analyze data to understand which plans are most popular, identify trends in data consumption, and optimize your offerings and costs over time. Spenza’s ability to intelligently adjust plans mid-cycle can be a significant cost-saver.

Proven Success – The IMZ Case Study

IMZ is a U.S.-based technology company offering a comprehensive suite of services, including web hosting, dedicated servers, VPS solutions, and mobile connectivity plans. With a global presence, IMZ provides dedicated servers in 75 locations worldwide, ensuring local routing and same-day delivery for its clients. Their offerings are designed to be both easy and affordable, catering to a diverse clientele seeking reliable hosting and connectivity solutions.

IMZ aimed to expand its service portfolio by introducing a nationwide wireless offering. However, they faced several challenges:

• Faced lengthy carrier negotiations (T-Mobile, Verizon).
• Lacked billing infrastructure for subscriptions and reseller commissions.
• Required support for both physical SIMs and eSIMs.
• Wanted a fully white-labeled experience for customers and resellers.

Spenza’s Solution

• Instant Network Access: Provided IMZ with turnkey connectivity on T-Mobile and Verizon, eliminating contract delays.
• Prepaid Billing & Smart Plan Switching: Handled all billing; automatically moved customers to the most cost-effective unlimited plan based on usage.
• White-Label Portal & Shopify Integration: Delivered a branded portal that embedded into IMZ’s Shopify store, allowing customers to buy and activate plans without leaving the site.
• SIM & eSIM Support: Enabled easy provisioning of physical SIM cards and eSIM profiles for any device.
• Reseller Management: Offered a dashboard for IMZ’s resellers to order, track inventory, and receive automated commission payouts.

Impact & Success

• Rapid Launch: IMZ’s wireless offering went live within weeks, under its own brand.
• Revenue Growth: The new wireless services opened up additional revenue streams, contributing to IMZ’s financial growth.
• Reduced Overhead: Automated billing and plan optimization cut manual finance work by 30%.
• Scalable Reseller Network: Onboarded 25 resellers quickly, each managing orders and commissions through Spenza’s portal.
• Improved Customer Experience: Simplified purchase flow and activation process, reducing support tickets by 20%.

Spenza platform allowed IMZ to add a profitable, scalable wireless offering without building telecom infrastructure or handling complex carrier agreements.

The Compelling Benefits of Using Spenza for Shopify Resellers

• Rapid Time-to-Market: Launch your data plan resale business in days, not months, thanks to Spenza’s pre-built integrations and ready marketplace.
• No Heavy Lifting (Infrastructure/Contracts): Let Spenza handle telecom infrastructure and MNO contract negotiations, freeing you from complexity.
• Automated Billing & Subscription Management: Benefit from streamlined billing, parent–child billing for resellers, and comprehensive subscription lifecycle management.
• Highly Customizable Plans: Offer everything from low-bandwidth smartwatch plans to high-bandwidth global IoT plans through Spenza’s flexible options.
• Significant Recurring Revenue Potential: Build a sustainable, recurring revenue stream that complements your existing product sales.
• Global Reach, Localized Offering: Source and manage data plans for multiple countries from a single platform while tailoring solutions to local markets.
• Focus on Your Core Business: With Spenza managing connectivity complexities, you can concentrate on product innovation, marketing, and customer service.
• Enhanced Customer Experience: Deliver a complete, branded solution that simplifies the customer journey and boosts satisfaction.

Conclusion: Unlock New Dimensions of Growth on Shopify

The demand for integrated connectivity isn’t just a trend; it’s the future. For Shopify store owners, especially those in the connected device space, the opportunity to resell data plans on Shopify represents a significant avenue for growth, differentiation, and enhanced customer value. 

The old barriers to entry in the telecommunications resale market have been dismantled by innovative “Connectivity as a Service” platforms. By partnering with a provider like Spenza, you can seamlessly integrate wireless plans e-commerce offerings into your store, create new recurring revenue, and provide your customers with the complete solutions they crave. You don’t need to become a telecom expert; you just need the right platform to empower your ambition.

FAQs

Ready to explore how easy it is to resell internet and data plans on your Shopify store? Request a demo to see firsthand how you can unlock this exciting new chapter for your e-commerce business.