Backward Data Pools

For a backward data pool, you do not need to subscribe to basic plans for IoT SIM cards in the pool. All cards in the pool share data and are charged based on the actual data usage.

Currently, backward data pools are only available for China Telecom SIM.

Buying a Backward Data Pool

When purchasing data plans for SIM cards, you can create a backward data pool or add cards to an existing one. The backward data pool is charged based on the number of activated SIM cards and the actual data used in the current month.

The backward data pool can be used only in the Chinese mainland.
Once purchased, backward data pools are not refundable.

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Basic Information

The basic information of all backward data pools is displayed on the page. You can click Click to enlarge in the upper right corner to select fields to be displayed. You can also click a pool ID to go to the pool details page.

**Table 1** Basic information about the backward data pool
Parameter	Description
Pool ID	A pool ID uniquely identifies a data pool. You can click a pool ID to go to the pool details page and view the list of activated members.
Pool Name	This feature facilitates backward data pool management.
Status	Backward data pool status. For details, see Lifecycle.
Total Cards	Total number of cards in the backward data pool. You can use SIM cards in one or more orders to form a backward data pool.
Effective Cards	Total number of activated cards in the backward data pool. Data of inactive SIM cards cannot be shared.
Used Data (MB)	Total monthly used data of all activated SIM cards in the backward data pool. You can click the refresh icon to refresh the data usage information.
Batch No.	The batch number is an attribute of an order. For data pools, this field identifies the orders (one or more) that form the data pool.
Billing Cycle	You can click in the Billing Cycle column to select a month to view the data usage.
Updated	Time when the data usage data of the selected billing cycle is updated.
Billing Cycle Starts	Start time of the selected billing cycle. A billing cycle starts in the first day of a calendar month for China Telecom, China Mobile, and carriers outside the Chinese mainland, and on the 27th day of the previous month for China Unicom.
Billing Cycle Ends	End time of the selected billing cycle. A billing cycle ends in the last day of a calendar month for China Telecom, China Mobile, and carriers outside the Chinese mainland, and on the 26th of the current month for China Unicom.

Pool Details

Click a pool ID to go to the pool details page. You can view the basic information, SIM card statistics, used data statistics, and data pool members (cards).

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Lifecycle

The lifecycle status of the backward data pool is displayed in the Status column. The following table describes pool lifecycle stages.

Status	Description
In use	The backward data pool is generated and is in use.
Suspended	The pool is suspended when your account is in the retention period or when the pool data threshold is met.
Disabled	If you fail to pay the outstanding amount when the retention period ends, your backward data pools will be Disabled.

Changing the Name of a Backward Data Pool

On the Backward Data Pools page, click next to the pool name, enter a name as required, and click Submit.

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Enabling a Disabled Backward Data Pool

If your account is in arrears but is still in the retention period, your backward data pool resources are frozen. If you fail to pay the outstanding amount when the retention period ends, your backward data pools will be Disabled. The data of SIM cards in the data pools is not deleted. You can enable a Disabled backward data pool again within one month.

Recharge for the disabled backward data pool.
Log in to the GSL console, choose Data Pools > Backward Data Pools in the navigation pane, and click Re-enable in the Operation column.
Click OK. The request will be processed within one or two working days. After the request is complete, the pool status changes from Disabled to In use, and statuses of the SIM cards in this pool change from Suspended to In use. Pay-per-use fees start to get charged again.