IDEMIA Driving Innovation with eSIM IoT Specification

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The new eSIM IoT specification is developed to enable connectivity for massive IoT necessitates and a simplified integration model that also addresses the demands of low-power devices and networks. This new specification combines the finest elements of the existing specifications to support constrained devices and streamline integration between various OEMs and MNOs.

Driving innovation in this space, IDEMIA is focusing on collaborating with major MNOs and OEMs to engage for accelerated adaptation of this new specification through proofs-of-concept (PoCs).

Rahul Tandon, Senior Vice President of Mobile Operator Business, IDEMIA India interacts with Zia Askari from TelecomDrive.com about the company’s focus on the latest eSIM IoT specification and how it is driving innovation in this space.

What factors influenced the GSMA's decision to develop the new eSIM IoT specification?

Enabling connectivity for massive IoT necessitates a simplified integration model that also addresses the demands of low-power devices and networks. The new specification combines the finest elements of the existing specifications to support constrained devices and streamline integration between a multitude of OEMs and MNOs.

By leveraging the already established and widely deployed SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager – Data Preparation) and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) utilized in the eSIM Consumer market, the new specification avoids the proliferation of proprietary solutions and the creation of yet another subscription management platform.

Have standardized eSIM IoT solutions been introduced to the market?

Yes, the solution is available in India. At IDEMIA, our focus is on collaborating with major MNOs and OEMs to engage for accelerated adaptation through proofs-of-concept (PoCs).  This approach allows us to partner with the industry, in the journey supporting thorough testing and gathering insights, ensuring that all challenges are addressed and the specifications are refined based on real-world experimentation.

It also means that the evolving solution will be adaptive and future-ready with our ongoing & collaborative efforts. By building upon our existing work, we remain well poised to swiftly adapt to the specifications once released.

How can IDEMIA further support MNOs in maximizing cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness as the eSIM market expands to cater to massive IoT demands?

IDEMIA’s just-in-time profile generation service accommodates all device types and eUICCs, allowing for real-time adjustments to profile content and metadata. While this IDEMIA service is already established in the consumer market, its significance is even more pronounced within the IoT ecosystem, given the significantly larger diversity of devices.

Without the ability to customize eSIM profiles at the last minute, MNOs would be burdened with ordering profiles for each ecosystem and every device with its unique eUICC profile parameters—a costly, time-consuming, and potentially unfeasible endeavor.

In what ways does the new eSIM IoT framework improve the handling of constrained devices?

Massive IoT devices are often connected to Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks and are characterized by their low-cost nature. These devices face constraints in terms of communication protocol, battery capacity, and user interface. Presently, the existing eSIM M2M specification is unable to cater to these devices effectively, as it requires the eUICC to receive an SMS for connectivity.

Similarly, the eSIM Consumer specification is also incompatible since most IoT devices lack the necessary user interface to trigger a subscription request. Furthermore, these devices are typically deployed across wide areas, often unsupervised and challenging to access.

The eSIM IoT specification introduces a new architecture that transitions from the push model to the pull model utilized in the Consumer specification. This transition is facilitated through the introduction of a new entity known as the eSIM Remote Manager (eIM) and an IoT Profile Assistant (IPA), which can be located either in the device (IPAd) or within the eUICC (IPAe).

Could you please clarify the context in which the term "eSIM Remote Manager (eIM)" is used?

The eSIM Remote Manager (eIM) is a software that takes the place of the end-user and enables IoT devices to initiate subscription download. It can be deployed as a server-based application to manage individual devices or a fleet of devices, or it can be a straightforward app running on a laptop or smartphone. The eIM fills the interface gap that is typically absent in IoT devices, allowing for remote management of eSIM profile downloads.

It facilitates provisioning and management of eSIM profiles on the eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) using lighter communication protocols supported by these devices. This new solution ensures end-to-end security between the eUICC and the SM-DP+, similar to the security measures implemented in the eSIM Consumer model.

Will the new specification open up fresh business prospects for MNOs and OEMs?

Over the next four years, licensed LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) solutions, along with 5G, are projected to be among the fastest-growing cellular IoT technologies. In fact, by 2027, it is anticipated that 2.2 billion cellular IoT connections will utilize licensed LPWAN. This rapid growth highlights the substantial business potential associated with massive IoT.

With the introduction of the new eSIM IoT specification, integration complexity is significantly reduced, presenting MNOs with a new market opportunity in the field of massive IoT. The beauty of this approach is that MNOs can tap into these opportunities without the need to overhaul their existing infrastructure. On the other hand OEMs, who previously collaborated with a limited set of operators, now have the ability to connect with any operator effortlessly.

In the new eSIM IoT ecosystem, OEMs can easily download a new profile from a local operator, thereby avoiding roaming charges. They can even configure parameters that automatically trigger a local subscription download when their devices are in roaming mode. Essentially, the new specification greatly expands the opportunities for utilizing local connectivity providers while minimizing integration efforts. It offers enhanced flexibility and a simplified integration model, enabling them to engage with a larger network of MNO partners.

In what ways can IDEMIA assist OEMs and MNOs in maximizing the benefits provided by the new IoT specification?

Our approach is focused on reusing as much as possible from previous specifications while adapting to cater to the requirements of constrained IoT devices. We aim to simplify the transition to the new specification and provide ongoing support for existing specifications. Our primary objective is to minimize integration efforts for both MNOs and OEMs.

We are actively working on integrating the IoT Profile Assistant into the eUICC (IPAe), which will provide significant advantages for OEMs. This integration eliminates the need for OEMs to install the IPA on the device for communication with the eIM and/or SM-DP+. This streamlined approach encourages wider adoption of eSIM technology among OEMs.