远程SIM卡配置：将技术可用性转化为可扩展采用的时机

INSIGHT SPOTLIGHT February 2025 Over the last few years there has been importantprogress on remote SIM provisioning (RSP) technology(eSIM and integrated eSIM) across multiple areas,including enhanced specifications for consumer and traditional SIM to RSP takes time, but it is also fair tosay that a range of technical and operational This report examines the outlook for RSP and providesa view on future developments that could help However, adoption of RSP technology is still limitedcompared to its long-term potential. In part this is not Analysis The state of RSP cellular market by 2030 – which means a big potential for growth.The recent and upcoming enhancements on eSIM specifications(e.g. SGP.32 and further releases) should help accelerate RSPadoption. Our research shows that a range of sectors will drive thedemand for RSP solutions in the next years, including utilities and eSIM technology is now available in a growing and diverse rangeof consumer devices, connected vehicles and IoT devices. In the smartphone market, the launch of eSIM-only iPhones in theUS in September 2022 has accelerated eSIM deployments andcommercial launches globally. As of June 2024, more than 440mobile service providers (e.g. mobile network operators (MNOs),mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and providers ofinternational roaming services) had launched eSIM service for eSIM and integrated eSIM is not an either-or scenario. Both arevalid options that will coexist for years to meet the requirements ofvaried IoT use cases. Mass deployment of IoT is possible with bothand each satisfies a specific use case that may be more fit forpurpose in a specific market or business function. eSIM growth,coupled with early developments of integrated eSIM, should help In the IoT market (e.g. vertical industries),eSIM is alreadymainstream in connected vehicles, but adoption has yet to reach acritical mass outside of automotive. Meanwhile, beyond the currentfocus on developing RSP solutions using discrete form factors foreSIM, integrated form factors (i.e. integrated eSIM) are also being Challenges hindering RSP adoption The ongoing transition to RSP brings new benefits – but alsochanges and challenges – for ecosystem players throughout thevalue chain and for end users. The challenges currently hinderingadoption of RSP span technical, operational and commercial areas.We hear about such challenges when talking with ecosystem Outlook After a slow start, eSIM adoption in the smartphone market willgain momentum over the next 2–3 years. GSMA Intelligencepredicts 6.9 billion eSIM smartphone connections globally by 2030 In the IoT market today, a majority of cellular IoT devices use thetraditional removable SIM. The number of licensed cellular IoTconnections will reach 6 billion globally by 2030, up from 4 billion in2024, with RSP taking a growing share of the market. GSMAIntelligence’sGlobal Digital Transformation Survey 2024(covering While cost of implementation topped the list of challenges in oursurvey (cited by 39% of enterprises), a variety of challenges werehighlighted by 25–35% of enterprises (see chart). This means there eSIM for IoT: deployment challenges What are the challenges that your company has faced, or currently faces, when deploying eSIM technology for your IoT Implications A simplified, fully digital and end-to-end operational process is key to scaling up eSIM streamlines the process for SIM activation and subscription delivery compared to the traditional SIM. However, making the processfully digital is still a work in progress. For example, some MNOs tend to send QR codes for eSIM activation to their customers by post or A simplified and fully digital process should be the ultimate, universal goal. Related to this, there is another area where further work atthe ecosystem level is needed: establishing an end-to-end process. This involves enhancing and even transforming operations fordifferent players across a range of areas, such as shortening thelifecycle management of eSIM profiles (from profile ordering togeneration, delivery andactivation) and ensuring a faster interoperability testing lifecycle (while preserving best-in-class security Streamlining the supply chain would accelerate the time to market for services It is fair to say that many MNOs are still thinking of eSIM as a traditional SIM, purchasing eSIMs in advance based on device salesforecasts. That means that the traditional workflow used for the traditional removable SIM is still being used for RSP. However, In the IoT market it is important to make the onboarding of IoT devices faster (ideally within hours or on-demand, instead of days orweeks) at a reasonable cost for the service provider or enterprise. Faster onboarding is key regardless of the scale of IoT deployments,whether larger volumes or smaller volumes such as for private networks. For high volumes of shipments, for example, the manualloading of eSIMs can become less cost effective a