How to implement eSIM

eSIMs are by no means new but have never fully taken off for the IoT, outside of the automotive sector. However, that is set to change with the new standard, SGP.32. So, as more enterprises look towards this SIM technology, what do they need to know? This is our guide to implementing eSIM. 

• An eSIM—a SIM that comes with the ability to hold multiple entire profiles —provides the benefits of flexibility, cost savings, simplicity and global connectivity to the IoT

• eSIMs require integration, infrastructure and carrier agreements
• To implement eSIM, engage a trusted expert at the start of your project, audit existing IoT, source SGP.32-ready devices, devise a long-term plan with migration paths, and optimise for coverage, cost and performance in-life.

What is eSIM and who should use it?

eSIMs are an alternative to standard SIM cards and have physical security and reliability benefits over them.

eSIMs also provide flexibility, and a measure of future proofing, because their software infrastructure enables them to store and deploy SIM profiles that can be reprogrammed over the air (OTA).That means operators can switch networks remotely, without visiting the device or changing the SIM.

That makes eSIM highly convenient but, having said that, there have been challenges to managing eSIM profiles across IoT device estates. SGP.32, the latest GSMA eSIM standard, helps with this. 

It is designed specifically for the IoT and so makes eSIM IoT more practical. As a result, an uplift is expected in the market with an estimated 195 million SGP.32 profile downloads anticipated for 2029-70% of all IoT^[i].

eSIM benefits

eSIM has many benefits to offer the IoT including:

• The flexibility to change network provider conveniently and more cost-effectively for commercial, technical, regulatory or locational reasons
• Cost savings from OTA remote SIM provisioning (RSP), saving the expense of visiting potentially thousands of deployed devices maybe in remote/inaccessible locations
• A total cost of ownership reduction from using local networks at local rates
• Simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing because the same SIM goes into all products, instead of a SIM per region, meaning a single stock keeping unit (SKU) to streamline logistics and inventory
• New market entry which companies may otherwise have avoided due to concerns about permanent roaming.

When to use eSIM

eSIM is an ideal choice when your IoT solution requires global reach, easier device logistics and/or remote profile switching. eSIMs are ideal for large-scale or hard-to-access deployments and to future proof connectivity as regulations or network conditions change. Some examples of eSIM in use include:

• Electric vehicle charging - “Being able to redirect charging units to an emergency back office in the event of a server disaster or a commercial issue is a massive part of our business continuity process, and the SIMs are a huge piece of that.” Alun Davies, Operations Director, ElectrAssure

• Remote video surveillance – “Working with Wireless Logic gives us the assurance of always having a powerful connection to our video systems. We always have our costs under control thanks to the transparent tariff structure and the SIMPro portal.’’ Marc Thurn, Founder and Managing Director, LivEye GmbH

• Asset tracking - Lightfoot wanted a system that could be adjusted, and mapping and tracking capabilities. Read Lightfoot's story

• Lone Worker devices – “We needed a connectivity partner that we could rely on for the long term, and Wireless Logic has provided exactly that. Their Conexa eSIM solution ensures our lone worker safety devices remain connected no matter where they are, offering both voice and data capabilities essential for our use case. The support from the Wireless Logic team, especially in exploring new technologies, has been invaluable in helping us future-proof our solution.” Marc Newton, Founder and CEO, Vatix

eSIM has a lot to offer the IoT, such as global connectivity without the constraints of physical SIM cards, RSP and flexibility; SGP.32 makes it easier to realise these benefits but even with the new standard, there’s more to scaling eSIM than just installing a SIM. It requires:

• Integration with device manufacturing

• Secure remote provisioning infrastructure

• Carrier agreements across multiple markets

• Ongoing lifecycle management.

To manage these things in-house would take significant investment in systems, expertise and infrastructure. An investment that is beyond most companies who, after all, don’t want to be IoT specialists but simply want the IoT to support their core business.

It is more realistic to partner with an IoT solutions provider who already does the integration, has the infrastructure and carrier agreements and can provide a management platform.

Top 5 tips on implementing eSIM

Whether you already have IoT experience, and are adding to or updating your fleet, or are aiming to develop a first-time solution, engage a trusted expert at the start of your project. There are many considerations beyond the device and application, including security and resilience that must be factored in upfront and throughout your solution, and they can advise on all those aspects. 

With that in mind, here are five tips when you’re ready to start your eSIM journey:

1. Audit - if you have existing IoT, audit what is in place. Identify where legacy devices/SIMs or older eSIM models add overhead

2. Engage - with an IoT solutions provider and discuss device choices. They will provide the secure backend RSP infrastructure

3. Source - SGP.32-ready devices. Work with the SIM provider to test and validate devices

4. Future-proof - the deployment with a five-year plan that includes migration paths as you add different device types and expand the IoT fleet

5. Manage - in life by maintaining the option of flexibility and working with providers to understand the changes in the ecosystem i.e. new permanent roaming challenges and compliance regulations. Optimise for coverage, cost or performance and don’t be locked into a single network.

Get started with eSIM

eSIM for the IoT has become a more realistic option for many with the new SGP.32 standard. And the technology has a lot to offer over and above standard SIM cards including flexibility, global reach, cost savings and simpler manufacturing processes. However, scaling eSIM requires expertise, infrastructure and the right agreements in place. An expert IoT solutions provider can steer you in the right direction, talk to Wireless Logic about your IoT solution needs and find out more about enterprise eSIM connectivity for global IoT.

(i) ABI Research – see https:>https://wirelesslogic.com/blog/why-its-time-to-look-again-at-esim-for-the-iot