Spotlight on eSIM Connectivity | TelecomDrive.com
The eSIM market is experiencing rapid growth, with an increasing number of devices connected in both consumer and IoT ecosystems. This development is revolutionizing device communication and facilitating the widespread adoption of other emerging technologies such as 5G. According to the GSMA, up to 3 billion smartphones are expected to have eSIM connectivity by 2025, compared to over 500 million in 2022.
In the IoT and M2M sectors, eSIM has already become mainstream, especially in the automotive industry. The creation of a diverse range of IoT devices in fields like utilities, industry, and healthcare is accelerating. Businesses across various sectors are recognizing the potential of eSIM for future projects, with 40% planning to invest in this technology.
As the market progresses, there is a growing number of eSIM-capable devices for consumers and many new practical and strategic use cases. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) need to be ready to scale their eSIM services efficiently. This involves educating customers about eSIM, providing a seamless activation process, managing increased volumes and activity peaks, and improving customer acquisition and retention with innovative and tailored strategies.
To address the rising market demand and exponential growth of eSIM connectivity, IDEMIA has chosen to enhance its eSIM platform using a cloud-based approach. IDEMIA has partnered with Microsoft to host its eSIM platform on the Azure public cloud, achieving GSMA certification. By deploying eSIM platforms in the Microsoft Azure public cloud, companies can offer mobile operators top-tier service, supporting their current and future eSIM business needs.
The Advantages of Cloud-Based eSIM Services
Why is the public cloud considered ideal for eSIM services? It’s widely acknowledged that eSIM will become crucial for mobile operators, necessitating an always-on approach to support their business growth.
Here are the four main benefits of a cloud-based eSIM platform:
High Availability: The eSIM business demands uninterrupted service. Downtime can significantly harm user experience, causing customer churn and financial loss. A cloud-based approach ensures the highest levels of service availability, allowing operators to maximize eSIM opportunities.
Resilience: A cloud-based platform provides mobile operators with a resilient service capable of withstanding major physical and logical disasters. An architecture that replicates databases through geo-redundancy allows for traffic load balancing and ensures continuous service.
Capacity & Elasticity: Reinforcing eSIM platforms’ capacity with public cloud hosting supports the growing market. The platform can handle substantial volumes of eSIM downloads and dynamically adapt to traffic peaks triggered by events like Christmas, Black Friday, or new device launches.
Security: As eSIM grows, its visibility increases, leading to higher exposure to fraudulent attacks. The telecom industry was one of the most targeted in 2021, underscoring the need for advanced security technologies. Employing state-of-the-art protection systems mitigates DDoS attacks and other threats, ensuring robust security for cloud-hosted services.
Successfully passing the GSMA SAS_SM audits for both Consumer and M2M Remote SIM provisioning platforms, now operational in the public cloud through Microsoft Azure, highlights the readiness to support operators with secure, end-to-end eSIM connectivity solutions hosted on the cloud.
Conclusion
The future of connectivity is here, driven by eSIM and cloud technology. With ongoing advancements and increasing adoption in this space, there is a commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of mobile operators and their customers. Leveraging the power of the cloud ensures that eSIM services are always available, resilient, scalable, and secure. Alongside partners, the future of mobile connectivity is being shaped, setting new industry standards.
This article is first published inside the July 2024 issue of Disruptive Telecoms
