IDEMIA, Microsoft partner to provide eSIM connectivity

IDEMIA, the enabler in Augmented Identity has entered into a global collaboration with Microsoft aimed at delivering next-generation eSIM and connectivity solutions for consumer and M2M/IoT devices.

The collaboration will bring together IDEMIA’s advanced connectivity solutions and longstanding industry expertise with Microsoft’s trusted cloud platform to improve support of eSIM services around the world.

IDEMIA provides connectivity solutions that enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to prepare for the exponential growth of connected services for both consumer and M2M eSIM-enabled devices. Today, the company works with over 500 MNOs worldwide to support connectivity through SIM cards, eSIM services for consumer and M2M devices (including smart meters and automobiles, as well as mobile authentication use cases. This relationship will enable the companies to broaden their support for mobile operators by delivering solutions with high levels of service availability, geo-redundancy capacities, as well as state-of the-art security technologies that improve resilience against DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.

“We are very excited to strengthen our collaboration with Microsoft,” says Ea Chaillioux, VP Strategic Alliances at IDEMIA. “The combination of the IDEMIA and Microsoft Azure expertise will enable us to deliver the best-in-class eSIM Remote Subscription Management services that secure connectivity for consumers, devices and citizens across the world.”

“Access to secure Connectivity services has never been as critical as it is today. Our collaboration with IDEMIA will enable us to equip Mobile Operators with the secure, scalable infrastructure they need to future-proof their business, while offering consumers reliable and innovative services that improve the way they connect,” says Tony Shakib, General Manager of Azure IoT at Microsoft.

Azure and IDEMIA have both been certified by the GSMA for eSIM services.

Focus on next-generation connectivity

The IDEMIA/Microsoft collaboration will accelerate development of advanced connectivity features and location-based services including:

- Hosting of eSIM Remote Subscription Management services for Consumer and M2M environments

- Global extension of the IDEMIA/Microsoft SAS-SM footprint in GSMA-certified regions

- Ongoing improvement of service levels proposed to address the criticality of eSIM business for mobile operators and IoT device manufacturers across the world

- Co-innovation of next-generation mobile operator solutions, based on Azure services

- Create synergies together to address the network slicing opportunity combining Microsoft footprint among MNOs for 5G back-end systems and IDEMIA’s eSIM expertise

The services have launched in France and in the United States, with plans to roll out in other regions over the coming months.