In a monumental move for the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, the GSMA has unveiled the SGP.32 eSIM IoT Technical Specification, setting the stage for transformative changes in IoT device provisioning and connectivity. With this release, the GSMA aims to simplify, standardize, and revolutionize the deployment of eSIM-enabled IoT devices, opening doors to a myriad of possibilities and benefits.
Breaking Down the SGP.32 Revelation
Standardization for IoT Devices
Last year, the GSMA introduced the SGP.31 eSIM IoT Architecture and Requirements, laying the groundwork for remote provisioning of eUICCs in Network Constrained and User Interface (UI) Constrained IoT Devices. Now, with the SGP.32 in play, the technical implementation specification of SGP.31 has been revealed, bringing uniformity to the IoT ecosystem.
Introducing the eIM
A game-changer within SGP.31/.32 is the eIM (eSIM IoT Remote Manager), a standardized eSIM provisioning tool designed to simplify the mass deployment of eSIM-enabled IoT devices, often referred to as Massive IoT. This component streamlines the process, enabling remote configuration for global operators and enhancing scalability.
Expanding Use Cases
The new standards open doors to a wealth of possibilities:
- Single SKU for OEMs: With remote configuration via eIM, mass provisioning becomes manageable across different operators worldwide for a single product variant.
- Enhanced Scalability: Reduced complexity meets the emerging needs of iSIM, fleet management, smart cities, and utilities.
- Standalone Consumer IoT Devices: Devices like trackers and smartwatches can now benefit from traditional IoT product offerings, including multi-IMSI global roaming.
Unveiling Kigen’s Insights
Kigen, a leading eSIM and iSIM solutions provider, highlights that SGP.32 simplifies the deployment of the eSIM ecosystem on the backend. It empowers remote control of eSIM download operations and broadens protocol compatibility, ensuring seamless communication between IoT devices and eIM.
eIM Flexibility and Standardization
Kigen emphasizes the flexibility of eIM configuration, which can occur at various stages—eUICC manufacturing, IoT device manufacturing, or in the field—without the need for pre-negotiation. Adding, deleting, or changing an eIM is now fully standardized, simplifying the process.
Introducing the IoT Profile Assistant (IPA)
In addition to the eIM, the new eSIM IoT specification introduces a simplified IoT profile assistant (IPA). Available in two variants, LPAe and LPAd, it facilitates local profile switching, enhancing user-friendliness.
What Lies Ahead
Jan Lattunen, CCO at Simplex Wireless, anticipates that solutions based on these specifications will hit the market by the third quarter of the year, particularly IPA.d implementations in a Linux environment. Mass adoption, however, may take until 2024 and beyond, as module makers and device manufacturers integrate SGP.32 support.
Source: RCR Wireless
