{"id":2402,"date":"2013-02-17T10:44:52","date_gmt":"2013-02-17T10:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/technologies\/esim\/?page_id=2402"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T09:44:09","slug":"future-communications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/technologies\/esim\/","title":{"rendered":"eSIM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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eSIM<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The SIM for the next generation of connected devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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What is an eSim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ubiquitous SIM card has played a fundamental role in mobile telecommunications for over 25 years. It is recognised by end users and provides a secure means for authenticating devices onto networks, all inside a removable ‘Secure Element’, which is easily transferrable between mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the role of the SIM itself is not changing, the GSMA has defined a radical new way to load it into devices. Now the SIM may be securely downloaded into a ‘Secure Element’ that can be permanently embedded inside any type of device. To enable this change, an ecosystem of trusted platforms and players has been facilitated by the GSMA to create the eSIM solution. It offers an equivalent level of security and protection to that provided by the removable SIM card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is eSIM for Consumer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


eSIM 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

eSIM consumer benefits <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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eSIM for M2M<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GSMA Embedded SIM is a vital enabler for Machine to Machine (M2M) connections including the simple and seamless mobile connection of all types of connected machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

eSIM M2M benefits<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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eSIM for IoT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.
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eSIM IoT benefits<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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eSIM architecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since eSIM technology was first proposed by the GSMA, three different architectures for eSIM technology have been developed. In this video, learn about the three eSIM architectures, and how they can be applied in real-life scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n