Our IoT Guide to iSIM will teach you all you need to know about the the next-gen iSIM offering major space savings, improved security, and unmatched compatibility with more radio access types.
All eyes are on the iSIM. And it’s no surprise, really. iSIM promises big space savings, enhanced tamper resistant security, and unrivalled compatibility
with more radio access types than ever before.
Better for the environment with no plastic to be seen. Better for your device with the lowest possible physical footprint. What’s not to like?
iSIM is here to truly realise the full potential of IoT. And it promises to open up huge opportunities for expansion and innovation – once the challenges of adopting a new technology are overcome.
The IoT Guide to iSIM will teach you all you need to know about integrated SIM technology, the core benefits it brings to IoT, examples of use cases across different sectors, and challenges to be aware of.
The first SIM – introduced in the early 1990s – was the size of a credit card, had little memory and required a 5V voltage supply.
In the early 2010s, the embedded SIM was introduced to overcome issues with removeable SIMs. Issues included the space required on devices for the socket, the potential for damage or theft and the cost and complexity in managing SIMs separately to the devices.
The iSIM is the next step on this evolutionary path. It completely removes the requirement for a separate SIM (card or chip) by integrating the SIM functionality into a System-on-Chip (SoC).
Watch our IoT Uncovered video featuring Eseye’s Technical Consultant, Kamran Jehangir, to learn more:
Built within a secure enclave in the SoC to GSMA specifications, iSIMs provide the same levels of identity authentication, security and seamless connectivity as embedded SIMs.
The advantages of iSIM technology over SIMs of other form factors can also
address issues holding back IoT.
Size – Integrating the cellular modem and SIM into a SoC with iSIM technology significantly reduces the device footprint. iSIM is 98% smaller than eSIM, opening up new possibilities for compact IoT device designs, such as smart labels for tracking shipments and wearables like smart glasses for enhanced VR/XR connectivity.
Power and performance – iSIM SoCs offer significant improvements in power efficiency and device performance. The close integration reduces power consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered devices that need long-term operation. With advances in LPWA networks like LTE-M and NB-IoT, iSIM can extend battery life up to 10-15 years, making cellular connectivity viable for low-power use cases. For high-performance needs, such as robotics and autonomous vehicles, iSIM devices combined with 5G networks ensure low latency and optimal performance.
Ruggedised devices – Reducing discrete components in a device lowers the risk of damage, like water ingress. Many IoT devices operate outdoors in harsh conditions, requiring rugged design to withstand tampering and weather. iSIM offers even better protection than embedded SIMs by minimizing the number of vulnerable components.
Cost and complexity reduction- Cellular connectivity is often the best option for global IoT deployments, but it’s complex. Manufacturers need to coordinate with multiple vendors and ensure devices meet field requirements and certifications. iSIM SoCs simplify this process by reducing the need for separate supply chains, streamlining device design, validation, and certification.
Support for secure and edge applications – The security of iSIM allows it to serve as a secure Root of Trust (RoT), enhancing device security by reducing the attack surface and protecting sensitive data. This is particularly useful in edge computing, where the iSIM can secure local processing and storage, reducing bandwidth needs, improving latency, extending battery life, and safeguarding intellectual property.
Using eUICC or iSIM devices can lead to 8-13% savings in operational costs. While initial hardware may be pricier than removable SIMs, long-term connectivity management offers significant cost savings."
iSIM technology enhances eSIM by offering seamless, secure connectivity with improved size, power efficiency, and performance. This opens up new possibilities for existing applications and enables cellular connectivity for new use cases:
Introducing a new technology that must meet stringent standards for security
and operation is a huge challenge. Find out more about the key challenges to iSIM development and adoption from Eseye’s Technical Consultant, Kamran Jehangir.
Eseye and Sequans Communications, a leading provider of cellular IoT chips and modules, have joined forces to deliver the first global, secure, end-to-end iSIM connectivity solution, aligned with the GSMA eSIM M2M standard, enabling seamless integration of mobile services into IoT devices.
The Integrated eUICC (ieUICC) is built directly into the cellular chip, reducing the need for a physical SIM and simplifying IoT deployments. This design lowers the carbon footprint and cuts costs, while enhancing security, space efficiency, and power consumption.
Paired with Eseye’s AnyNet™ Connectivity Service, ieUICC offers customizable, over-the-air connectivity via Remote SIM Provisioning, ensuring IoT devices stay securely connected with consistent service quality, maximizing uptime and extending product lifespan.
If you need to connect your IoT devices today, you don’t need to wait for iSIMs to be widely available. With all our eSIMs and iSIMs, you can customise your device connectivity dynamically over-the-air with multi-profile eUICC SIM provisioning. Activated with zero touch. No need for human contact.
Our award-winning AnyNet+ IoT SIMs feature multiple IMSIs, providing reliable fallback options if network issues arise. Supported by the latest GSMA RSP M2M specifications and SG31/32 SMDP+ mechanisms, you have maximum control.
Our AnyNet Federation gives you immediate access to over 700 networks, across the world over. No need to negotiate contracts with individual carriers. Achieve near 100% global connectivity with one contract, one bill.
IoT connectivity doesn’t get easier than this.
iSIM technology expands possibilities, enhancing applications and enabling cellular connectivity for new devices."
Talk to one of our IoT experts to find out how
we can help with SIMs of any form factor.
