IoT platform billing related issues

Is the IoT Platform free? Are public instances charged?

Registration for the Alibaba Cloud IoT Platform is complimentary. It manages devices at the instance level and incurs charges based on the selected resource specifications within each instance.

• Enterprise Edition instances operate on a subscription billing method, offering flexible selection of resource specifications. For billing details, refer to Enterprise Edition instances (subscription).

• New public instances come with predetermined resource specifications and are available at no cost. For more information, see Billing overview.

• Existing public instances are billed based on actual usage. For specifics on resource specification billing, see Message communication billing, Connection duration billing.

How is the Enterprise Edition instance trial of the IoT Platform charged?

The trial of the Enterprise Edition instance on the IoT Platform is complimentary for the first month. Upon completion of the trial period, the system will automatically release the instance. To maintain service continuity, please ensure you renew the instance before the trial period ends. For information on renewal procedures, see Renew.

Can the IoT Platform Enterprise Edition instance be billed by usage?

No, the IoT Platform Enterprise Edition instance is only available with a subscription billing method. Should the instance's resource specifications exceed your needs, you have the option to downgrade. For more information, see Downgrade.

How to handle instance expiration?

• Upon expiration of the Enterprise Edition instance, services will be halted. If not renewed within 15 days post-expiration, the instance will be released, resulting in the permanent deletion of all associated products, devices, and data.

  Important

  Note that cessation of services and data deletion from an expired Enterprise Edition instance may lead to service unavailability and business disruption. To avoid this, please renew your instance promptly to ensure uninterrupted business operations. For renewal instructions, see Renew.

• Public instances, both new and existing, are not subject to expiration.

  Should a new public instance be marked as Frozen in the IoT Platform console, navigate to the Instance Overview tab and click on the instance card to opt for continued use of the public instance.

How to stop billing for IoT Platform public instances?

• New public instances incur no charges.

• Existing public instances are billed based on usage. To avoid charges when the instance is no longer needed, you can disable the device to halt all related operations. For detailed instructions, see Disable device.

Will activated devices on the IoT Platform be deleted if there is an overdue payment?

• Enterprise Edition instance

  • Devices will remain active and accessible with an existing subscription that has not expired, ensuring uninterrupted use of subscription resources.

  • Should the subscription expire and the account become overdue, inhibiting renewal, the instance will be terminated 15 days post-expiration. Consequently, all associated products, devices, and data will be permanently deleted.

• New public instance

  As this instance incurs no charges, resources remain available for normal use, and devices are not at risk of deletion.

• Old public instance

  In the event of an overdue payment, services can be used for an additional 24 hours. After this period, services will be suspended, but the instance and devices will not be released or deleted.

Is there a charge for adding devices to Alibaba Cloud IoT instances?

• Enterprise Edition instances on the IoT Platform operate on a subscription basis, allowing you to purchase resources such as Simultaneous Online Devices, Message Uplink And Downlink TPS, and Message Forwarding TPS. Devices can be added to the corresponding instance without additional charges, provided that the resource specifications are available.

• New public instances are provided free of charge, although they come with fixed resource specifications. It is important to verify the availability of these resources before adding devices.

• Old public instances incur costs on a pay-as-you-go basis. For detailed billing rules, refer to Connection duration billing, Message communication billing.

Will devices go offline if the instance is overdue or expired?

The IoT Platform Enterprise Edition instance operates on a subscription billing method. New public instances are not subject to billing, while existing public instances are charged based on usage. Consequently, there is no risk of overdue payments impacting the online status of devices.

However, should the IoT Platform Enterprise Edition instance expire, services will be suspended, resulting in devices going offline.

For additional details regarding account overdue payments and instance renewals, please see Overdue Payment and Renewal.

Will the instance ID change after renewal?

No, the instance ID remains the same after renewal.

Can the configuration of a test environment instance be exported if it is not renewed?

No, exporting the configuration of an expired Enterprise Edition instance that has not been renewed is not supported.

To maintain continuity for the business operations associated with the devices under the instance, it is advisable to renew the instance within 15 days of its expiration. Failing to do so will result in the release of the instance and the irreversible deletion of all associated data. For more information, see Expiration and renewal.

Why can't I find the Enterprise Edition instance after forgetting to renew?

If an instance is not renewed upon expiration, services will be halted. 15 days post-expiration, the instance will be released, resulting in the permanent deletion of all associated products, devices, and data, which cannot be restored.

For more information, see Expiration and renewal.

Can IoT Platform instances be refunded? How to refund?

• New public instances of the IoT Platform are not subject to billing, while old public instances are billed based on usage and therefore do not support or necessitate refunds.

• Subscription-based Enterprise Edition instances of the IoT Platform are eligible for refunds. Upon processing the refund, the instance will be terminated, and all associated data will be permanently deleted and irretrievable.

To cancel a purchased instance, please submit a ticket.

How to stop pay-as-you-go billing for the IoT Platform?

Pay-as-you-go billing on the IoT Platform applies solely to legacy public instances. The IoT Platform services currently active cannot be shut down. Billing is not incurred if devices are neither created nor connected on the IoT Platform.