The Rise of Embedded eSIMs Technology and its Impact on the Connected World
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eSIM |
What are eSIMs?
An embedded SIM or eSIM is a chip integrated directly into smartphones and
other IoT devices that allows users to activate and switch mobile plans
remotely without having to insert a physical SIM card. Typically smaller than
conventional SIM cards, they can store multiple integrated mobile subscriptions
on the same chip. Rather than using a programmable UICC chip like standard SIM
cards, they have the mobile profiles directly embedded into the device's
chipset by the manufacturer.
How They Work?
With its technology, consumers can easily activate a new mobile plan or switch
carriers from the settings menu of their device. Mobile network operators
provision the eSIM
remotely over-the-air through a profile download. This allows users greater
flexibility in terms of switching plans and carriers without having to swap out
a physical SIM card. They identifies the device on mobile networks and handles
the authentication, encryption, and storage of mobile subscription details.
Multiple integrated profiles on it can each connect to separate mobile plans
simultaneously.
Advantages for Consumers
They provide several advantages for consumers over physical SIM cards:
- Remote Activation and Switching: Users can easily activate new mobile plans
or switch between carriers remotely via a simple profile download without
needing a physical SIM card swap. This lets people change plans/carriers on the
go from their device settings menu.
- Dual SIM Functionality: Some devices like smartphones and tablets can support
two integrated mobile profiles on a single eSIM, enabling true dual-SIM
functionality without needing two physical SIM card slots. This allows seamless
switching between business and personal lines.
- Travel and Roaming Benefits: Travelers can remotely activate affordable local
plans for data and calls when visiting other countries without needing physical
SIM cards from those regions. They lets users easily switch to virtual Roaming
SIMs for overseas use.
- No Physical SIM Loss: Since the SIM profile is embedded in the device
chipset, users never risk demaging or losing physical SIM cards. Their profiles
are securely stored on the device's memory.
- Support for Latest Devices: As SIM card slots disappear on thinner mobile
devices, they enable cellular connectivity for the latest slim designs like
foldable phones lacking physical SIM slots.
Advantages for Carriers and
Manufacturers
Its technology also confers advantages to mobile network operators and device
manufacturers:
- New Revenue Streams: Carriers gain the ability to remotely provision and
activate replacement or Roaming SIM profiles, creating new digital services
revenue streams beyond traditional SIM card sales.
- Lower Distribution Costs: Physical SIM cards have higher production and
distribution costs than virtual profiles which are delivered digitally. This
saves on sim cards, logistics and retail partner expenses for carriers.
- Enables New Form Factors: Device makers no longer constrained by needing a
physical SIM slot. They allows for innovative ultra-slim designs like foldable
phones while maintaining cellular connectivity.
- Reduced Supply Chain Dependence: Manufacturers don't have to rely on a
separate SIM card supply chain and can pre-load eSIM profiles during production
at their facilities.
- Flexible Upgrades: Over-the-air updates let carriers and OEMs easily deploy
new network technologies and standards without hardware changes by upgrading
the embedded SIM profile.
The Future Adoption
As the benefits of eSIM technology become more apparent, analysts expect
adoption to accelerate significantly in the coming years across both consumer
and IoT markets. Major firms like Apple are increasingly launching devices with
its support only. Global shipments are projected to exceed 1 billion annually
by 2025 according to ABI Research. On the enterprise side, they are widespread
for asset tracking and telematics in manufacturing, automotive, healthcare and
more. Looking ahead, expanded its rollout in affordable smartphones and
subsequent consumer demand will likely drive universal eSIM adoption across all
device categories before the decade is out. The embedded SIM represents a major
evolution in connectivity that will undoubtedly shape the wireless world of
tomorrow.
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About
Author:
Ravina
Pandya, Content
Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes
in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food
and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials,
etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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