M2M eSIM
What is the GSMA Embedded SIM specification?
M2M offers a huge market opportunity
Mobile networks are being used to connect all sorts of devices, enabling automated reading of utility meters, intelligent connectivity of cars and commercial vehicles to enable drivers to access navigation, infotainment or breakdown services, home security management on-the-go and assisted living support. The number of mobile connected devices is expected to reach over 30 billion by 2030, resulting in a huge new market opportunity, predominantly in the M2M)and consumer electronics sectors. All parties in the M2M ecosystem will struggle if we remain solely dependent upon the traditional SIM card, which is predicated on only associating with one network operator.
This is because changing SIM cards is problematical for many business-to-business (B2B) customers. For the industry, optimising manufacturing processes is a key challenge that GSMA Embedded SIM solves by providing a global product with a global manufacturing process with local provisioning when the product is deployed in the field. It also solves the challenge of managing those devices in the field when many M2M devices are remotely located, often hermetically sealed, their after sale location is not known during production and their product life cycles are lengthy. Many of the interfaces and processes needed to make the remote provisioning of SIMs work are virtually identical to current SIM personalisation processes and interfaces used by mobile operators today.
