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eSIM TRANSITION

Smooth transition with OpenGate IoT SIM Management

The eSIM concept:

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a chip that functions as a communications module and virtualizes the classic plastic SIM card. This allows you to use, regardless of the operator, different subscriptions from different operators with their contracts, “profiles” and plans, while managing any changes remotely and without the need to replace any plastic cards.

Classic migration of SIM cards to eSIM:

To address the needs of the modern industry, the advantages of the eSIM transition are the following:

  • In legacy devices with “plastic” SIM, the insertion of a removable eSIM is offered, which meets GSMA standards.
  • A lot of new devices can have now an integrated eSIM module on its board as default.
  • Operators (MNOs) will provide new SIMs in an electronic format.
  • The eSIMs have a default profile, called “provisioning”.
  • The eSIM is configurable to another profile through OTA messages.
  • The possibility to change eSIM profile contribute to reduce costs
  • The hybrid model (SIM+eSIM) can live together without any problem thanks to OpenGate IoT eSIM/SIM Management

The life-cycle comparison:

As you can see in the image below, the life cycle of a traditional SIM card is linear. Although it is possible to modify the assigned subscription plan, SIM cards always belong to the same operator. If the card has a problem or the mobile service provider changes, this card must be physically replaced.

Advantages in management

Thanks to the independence of the operator and its remote management, the life cycle of an eSIM can be extended. If an operator change is needed, it is as simple as update the eSIMs remotely.

The management and operational costs and times are obviously reduced. Field deployment and work travels are reduced because is not needed to physically replace cards, and updates are able to be scheduled to be performed automatically, for only some eSIMs or masively.

Finally, remember that there are eSIM modules that can be inserted into SIM card slots, so not only modern devices with built-in eSIM modules can accomplish all of these advantages, but “legacy” devices as well.

Architecture of an eSIM solution:

OpenGate IoT eSIM/SIM Management has the necessary tools to manage SIM cards and eSIMs in a transparent, unified and homogeneous way.

Our platform has its own already integrated modules to communicate with the main mediators (eSIM service providers, mobile operators and specific IoT connectivity providers) through secure APIs.

This allows us to mitigate the current limitations of the market by being able to centralize and manage subscriptions of all of them simultaneously and transparently for our users, and even offer the necessary tools to those clients who do not need these mediators, acting themselves as a virtual operator (MVNO).

Do you want to know more?

Download now this document with specific technical information about the architecture for the use of eSIMs with OpenGate IoT eSIM/SIM Management.

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