China Unicom, through cooperation with Telefónica, has proven a solution for remote management of embedded SIM subscriptions data based on the principles of the embedded SIM that is being developed by the GSMA. This solution allows remote management of the subscription data of M2M embedded SIMs, including remote activation on demand, subscription transfer between different M2M devices and subscription replacement.
Secure profiles from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) can be downloaded to the embedded SIMs depending on business rules and needs in scenarios such as: equipment production lines, test facilities, commercial launching environments and post-sale of M2M products. Moreover, their profiles can be revised during the lifetime of the device.
It will, allow swapping of MNOs to support scenarios like: specific roaming conditions, network changes and upgrade, service delete, and change of device ownership among other possibilities.This solution will enable China Unicom, and Telefónica together with the new operator partners to provide flexible and more managed embedded SIM services to M2M users, and adapted to local and global service provision.
With this type of remote subscription management, device makers can manufacture devices with M2M embedded SIMs ensuring connectivity support for the lifetime of the device no matter what market conditions they may face, while MNOs can customise their M2M connectivity offerings for this specific target market.
This test and platform demonstration will also provide input for the ongoing standardisation processes in the various forms.Main cornerstones of this trial are the subscription management enabled M2M embedded SIMs with remote management capabilities, a subscription management platform -hosted in a secure G&D environment- and an MNO specific portal developed for various operators (China Unicom, Telefónica, and Telstra).
This project derives from the strategic agreement signed by the two companies in October 2011 to develop M2M. This agreement covers collaboration in areas like marketing, products, sales, roaming and technologies.