SIMs are one of the favourite topics of our team of global connectivity experts and we have shared our thoughts about physical SIMs, eSIMs and iSIMs in a few earlier blogs:
IoT eSIMs, iSIMs and the need for global connectivity
Global eSIMs - why IoT devices should be shipped with them
eSIMs - The market opportunity and using Telecom26’s eSIMs on our global roaming service
In these we talked about the advantages of shipping IoT devices with in-built global connectivity from Telecom26 provided by our global IoT eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
In this week’s blog we will discuss the eSIM transition for M2M. How can your organisation benefit and how do you get there? Our team has just written a white paper about this so please Get In Touch if you’d like us to email it to you.
SIMs are ubiquitous, and as physical devices, the dispatch and delivery of SIMs to customers continues to be a major contributor to the mobile value chain. Shipping volumes remain tremendously high although impacted by the global shortage of chips.
EE Times wrote this story recently in which it quoted these stats from ABI research: Removeable SIM card shipments will decline from 4.36 billion in 2021 to 3.93 billion in 2022.
“ABI Research does not forecast a return to pre-COVID SIM card shipment levels for the removable form factor due to other market challenges, including a continued reduction in SIM card replacement rates and the forthcoming eSIM growth”.
eSIM Basics
The eSIM is a software-based replacement that can be embedded into mobile devices before they leave the factory – with remote, over-the-air programming options to configure them with the required customer settings. With eSIM, there is no need to physically send a SIM card to a customer; it’s natively on the device, so simply needs to be programmed when its activated.
eSIM is the clear choice for M2M and IoT Connectivity
Given the obvious benefit of eliminating the necessity of shipping physical SIMs to be manually inserted into user devices, any organisation that delivers sensors or equipment that requires connectivity to wireless cellular networks (which, in turn, requires the functionality provided by eSIM registration and authentication), must now consider integrating eSIMs into its mobile fleet.
For manufacturers that ship such devices in volume, there’s no viable alternative to this transition.
For users of these devices and for the providers of services which they enable, the rationale is equally compelling.
The final step in the value chain is the connectivity provider – those able to configure and activate the remote profiles which unlock access to mobile networks.
eSIMs and global connectivity
One of the issues with shipping devices to their end destination is that they must be equipped with a SIM to enable connectivity.
For users that purchase such devices and then transport them to the remote site in which they will be deployed, this has, for many years, required the manual insertion of a SIM card. Such cards could be purchased from local connectivity providers or procured from a single connectivity provider who can offer access to any of the networks to which such devices might be connected.
With eSIM, the functional capabilities for network connectivity are natively included in the device. There is no need to manage the delivery of SIMs to any of your facilities, or to handle the insertion of these into the devices prior to activation. eSIM is a game changer for managing the logistics behind the delivery and activation of the devices that are essential for the services and applications you seek to run.
eSIM in action
Car rental companies such as Alamo, Enterprise and National operator large fleets and must optimise distribution of vehicles across multiple locations. They need to meet customer demand by ensuring that there are sufficient vehicles in each location, while managing the performance of their fleet.
Increasingly, such companies are turning to specialised in-vehicle telematics solutions, using cellular IoT connectivity, for the collection of relevant data that can help them to achieve this, while also providing accurate, real-time location information.
Telecom26 has been selected as connectivity partner by GlobalmatiX, which provides in-car fleet management solutions to rental companies globally, including Alamo, Enterprise and National, among others.
Instead of using traditional, device-based SIMs to enable connectivity to different mobile networks, Telecom26 is deploying its eSIM solution, enabling the remote download of new profiles to each in-car device – and avoiding the complex task of physically replacing the previous solutions. This seamless process enables the operators of leading car rental brands to update their connectivity platforms and to benefit from the telematics insights collected.
An important consideration is national and international roaming. Car rental periods allow unrestricted mobility, so in order to ensure that data can be collected irrespective of the location of the vehicle, connectivity to any available network is required.
Telecom26 offers flexible and cost-effective plans that enable coverage everywhere and anywhere switching networks in-country and when a vehicle crosses a border.
Telecom26 – a complete range of eSIM solutions for M2M and consumers
As a global mobile connectivity service provider, Telecom26 is strongly committed to driving the transition to eSIM.
Just one of our global IoT eSIMs and physical SIM cards in an IoT device:
- Provides access to all of the networks covered by our global roaming service. That’s 1100+ cellular networks belonging to 650+ mobile operators in 200+ countries.
- Removes the need to worry about the coverage of a single MNO, or the existence of roaming alliances. Our SIMs automatically select the best performing network in the area, cross-border, while providing enterprises with the freedom to change SIM profiles and services with ease.
- Can be customised with routing profiles built for each IoT device according to a customer’s needs and budget. For example, for organisations that are more price sensitive we can ensure that our Global SIM cards automatically connect to the cheapest service in the area.
In addition, Telecom26’s global IoT eSIMs and physical SIM cards:
- Are programmable over the air - Over the Air (OTA) updates enable remote control of SIM profiles and it’s easy to add new profiles and adjust services on the fly.
- Have secure, independent architecture based on Standards-based, 3GPP-compliant infrastructure, with Tier-1, carrier-grade performance
- Use API access with a full management portal for business process integration and a comprehensive interface, for full control of IoT devices.
We support all current SIM form factors, including 2FF, 3FF and 4FF – that’s mini, micro and nano, as well as MFF2. In addition to classic SIMs, we also offer Global IoT eSIM, which provides new levels of flexibility.
We take care of the full end-to-end lifecycle, from programming to reprogramming and all necessary updates.
In a nutshell, Telecom26 enables data connectivity, anywhere - so that your IoT SIM device can connect to the best available network, regardless of location.
You can read more about our IoT eSIM service here.
And, if you’d like to find out how Telecom26 can help your organisation to embrace the benefits of IoT SIMs, IoT eSIM, IoT Networks, improve IoT connectivity and maximise IoT Security please contact us.
Later in the year Telecom26 will be attending these major international trade fairs:
SMM
6-9 September
Hamburg, Germany
https://www.smm-hamburg.com/en/
Mets Trade
15- 17 November
Amsterdam
https://www.metstrade.com/
MEDICA 2022
14–17 November 2022
Düsseldorf, Germany
https://www.medica.de/
If you, or one of your team, will be at either show and would like to discuss our global connectivity and eSIM services in-person then please get in touch so we can arrange a time to meet.
