Remote SIM provisioning (RSP) is the process of remotely managing SIM profiles compatible with eUICC-capable SIMs. This includes secure storage, installation, switching, and deactivation of SIM profiles over-the-air (OTA).
In most situations, a physical update on an IoT device like a SIM swap is undesirable or impossible. By using remote SIM provisioning, an IoT device could change to a different operator for optimized connectivity or even move from one region to another. Instead of roaming on another operator network, the device could switch its profile to a local provider.
Why Do We Need Remote SIM Provisioning?
Use cases for Internet of Things (IoT) applications are countless and varied, from vehicle asset tracking and fleet management to monitoring shipping containers, livestock, machinery, and equipment.
Reliable cellular connectivity is key to unlocking the potential of IoT. But this creates a challenge in the provisioning and management of network profiles when an IoT device could be a utility meter deep underground, a shipping container moving internationally, or attached to ranging cattle.
The development of the eSIM, which removed operator lock-in, solved this problem partially by not needing an interchangeable hardware SIM to be inserted into the device. However, it wasn’t until the emergence of remote SIM provisioning (RSP) that businesses could realize total control over their IoT deployments.
A Brief History of Remote SIM Provisioning
Before RSP, the only ways to change the network operator profile associated with a SIM was by having physical access to the device to swap the hardware SIM. This was not practical for IoT deployments with tens or hundreds of thousands of connected devices in unreachable locations.
To overcome this, many providers started offering multi-IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIMs to switch between alternative pre-loaded SIM profiles. But with no standard specification, interoperability was a challenge when changing providers.
The GSMA released its first specification for eSIM, SGP.01/02, in 2016, specifically addressing RSP capabilities for machine-to-machine (M2M) devices. This was updated in 2020 with SGP.21/22 for consumer devices with the same capabilities.
While both enable eUICC SIMs to store and manage multiple network profiles, a key difference between the M2M and consumer specifications is that SGP.21 assumes a human operator to pull profile updates. SGP.01 works on pushing updates with no user intervention.
GSMA recently updated SGP.01 in mid-2023 with SGP.31/32 to address shortcomings that effectively locked out smaller players from M2M RSP. Solutions incorporating next-generation RSP likely won’t be available until at least 2025.
How IoT Remote SIM Provisioning Works
An IoT remote SIM provisioning solution like Eseye’s Infinity combines a self-owned SM-SR (Subscription Manager Secure Routing) system with SM-DP (Data Preparation). The SM-SR securely delivers encrypted operator credentials to the eUICC and remotely manages the profiles. SM-DP identifies the remote server (eIM) that is used as a proxy for managing eSIM deployments and pushing profiles.
IoT devices can localize connections to different network operators using eSIM localization. Every Eseye AnyNet+ eSIM comes with two profiles — a bootstrap and operational profile. The operational profile triggers profile delivery from the SM-SR and SM-DP repositories over-the-air when needed.
Once a change is made, the modem reloads the profiles and reconnects to the network with the new parameters. So in this sense, RSP offers a robust, secure, and scalable solution to traditional SIM challenges by enabling owners to remotely switch profiles on demand.
As eUICC and eSIM achieve widespread adoption, RSP will likely become the norm for all mobile devices needing flexible connectivity.
Key Differences Between Multi-IMSI and eUICC RSP
Multi-IMSI technology allows pre-loaded profiles from multiple operators to be stored on one SIM. Typically, multi-IMSI has a single primary operator, but the SIM can choose a profile based on predefined criteria.
An eUICC integrates the technologies of two operators to securely port a subscriber from one to the other, effectively canceling the initial contract and beginning a new one with the second carrier. Multi-IMSI enables a device to “become a different subscriber” by switching between profiles in the SIM.
Multi-IMSI setup is faster and affordable but lacks flexibility for future provisioning. eUICC RSP allows owners to remotely add or remove unlimited profiles over time. The only current method to remotely provision new SIM profiles is using an eSIM/eUICC.
The Future of eSIM and Remote SIM Provisioning
Ultimately, eSIM and RSP will likely become the standard for all devices, solving problems of regional compatibility and enabling reliable global scale IoT deployments. In fact, leading connectivity providers like emnify already offer advanced platforms combining multi-IMSI fallback with eUICC capabilities to future-proof IoT devices.
As eUICC and RSP ecosystems grow in adoption, more interoperability and innovations will undoubtedly emerge to build on the proven capabilities unlocked for owners.