Challenges to IoT use – and how they are solved

The evolution of IoT devices (such as smart metres, home appliances, in-vehicle systems and personal devices), has led to the use of eSIMs (embedded SIMs) on these devices. The use of an eSIM, which is soldered to the device during manufacturing, prevents the need to retrieve or replace the cards when activated or updated, or when switching from one operator to another, reducing operational and logistical costs and streamlining the sales process. Since the eSIM is soldered into the device during production, and in many cases is even sealed, it must be administered remotely throughout its life cycle, says Alon Roth, CEO of CALLUP.

According to a recent press release from Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global eSIM card market to expand at an impressive 13.5% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. At this rate, the market is expected to be pegged at US$14,613.1 million (€11914.06 million) by 2025, increasing from US$4,095.6 million (€3339.14 million) in 2016.

The first problem facing the user of an IoT device is replacing the mobile operator’s profile on the eSIM when the IoT device reaches its destination. Usually, a large number of devices are produced by the manufacturer in a particular country and exported to a number of countries. The eSIM card, when it exits the factory gates, usually includes an operator profile in that country, but when it reaches end customers the profile must be changed to a mobile operator in the destination country.

The IoT industry’s expected growth is based on the fact that the new eSIM standards allow users to switch between operators, cutting data and roaming costs, while having the eSIM card embedded in almost any device connected to the Internet.

How can these challenges be addressed? The solution is to use a remote management system for eSIM devices, operating over the air, that operates according to the GSMA standards and specifications, and is interoperable over different operators.

Such a system should allow the operator to encrypt its operator credentials securely for over the air installation within the eSIM card, and then download its profile on the eSIM card. This can be done with two new key network elements defined by GSMA: Subscription Manager Data Preparation (SM-DP) and Subscription Manager Secure Routing (SM-SR).

Alon Roth

Remote management of eSIM cards should also allow the operator’s executives and technical professionals to subscribe to system reports and receive them directly to their email, ensuring that all eSIM cards are managed in the best way.

Another challenge which MNOs may face is within the new supply chain which might consist of new eSIM vendors, other than the traditional ones, and eSIM owners (such as car manufacturers, appliances, etc.). This may create ownership by the end users rather than by the MNO.

The MNOs will strive to open service bureaus offering IoT services to a variety of market segments, competing to hold onto the end customer and selling IoT services such as SaaS.

The author of this blog is Alon Roth, CEO of CALLUP

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Get a US$50 Amazon voucher for sharing your IoT brand knowledge

Posted on: March 28, 2024

We want to know what you know about the IoT space. Just 3 minutes could earn you a US$50 Amazon digital gift card!

Read more

Enhance EV charging performance with cellular connectivity

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily growing their market share at the expense of internal combustion engine vehicles. The growth is fuelled by several factors. Perhaps most importantly, prices for EVs have started to drop as competition in the industry is intensifying. New players and models are emerging, prompting several established EV makers to lower their

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more