What is eSIM for Consumer and IoT?

The eSIM for the next generation of connected consumer devices

eSIM is a global specification by the GSMA which enables remote SIM provisioning of any mobile device.

eSIM now allows consumers to store multiple operator profiles on a device simultaneously, and switch between them remotely, though only one can be used at a time. The specification now extends to a wider range of devices, beyond the single companion device made possible with the first release. Manufacturers and operators can now enable eSIM consumers to select the operator of their choice and then securely download that operator’s SIM application to any device.

Extending mobile connectivity

Remote provisioning means much smaller devices can be supported. The first products have already come to market, and we can expect to see many further launches. It is now easier to extend mobile connectivity to devices such as tablets, smart watches, fitness bands, portable health systems and various other devices.

eSIM is the only globally-backed remote SIM specification for consumer devices. This universal approach will grow the Internet of Things by allowing manufacturers to build a new range of products for global deployment based on this common embedded SIM architecture.

Consumer eSIM benefits

• Simpler device setup without the need to insert or replace a SIM card.
• Devices that can operate independently of a tethered smartphone, with their own subscriptions.
• A range of new, enhanced mobile-connected devices.

A hight percentage of the eUICC functionality is based on the Consumer Architecture, with the rest
coming from the new features and functionality required for the IoT ecosystem.

The eSIM is boosting IoT devices

The eSIM IoT specification is designed to be used in IoT devices that are network-constrained or user
interface constrained. This specification is based on the consumer eSIM specification with a few notable differences. In the eSIM IoT specification, the LPA component of the consumer specification is separated into two modules – the IPA (IoT Profile Assistant) and the eIM (eSIM IoT Remote Manager).

The IPA will be on the device or the eUICC. It serves as a proxy between the eSIM and SM-DP+ for direct profile download as consumer but also it serves as a proxy between the eSIM and the eIM. To remotely enable, disable, delete profiles, and trigger profile downloads, the eIM sends profile state management operations to the eSIM. The eIM, which can facilitate the management of a single device or a fleet of IoT devices, may be employed by an IoT OEM to manage its devices.

New components

The eIM (eUICC IoT Manager) is a component that triggers profile downloads, and enables, disables and deletes the profiles. It is a modified components from the LPA in Consumer Architecture that emulates the user intent feature.

The IPA is software on the device or eUICC, which is similar to the Consumer LPA, except the IPA does not need to capture the user intent as this feature has been moved to the eUICC IoT Manager

eSIM IoT benefits

This architecture is an eIM-centric architecture where there may be no device user directly link with the device and instead a remote manager component. The (eIM) has remote control of the profiles, and can enable, disable or delete profiles as required.

This architecture can be used to provide connectivity to a wide range of IoT devices that are network-constrained or user interface constrained.