What is an eSIM and how will it change connected devices for the better?

eSIM, on the whole, stands for the shortened version of embedded SIM. The term ‘SIM’ represents an acronym for Subscriber Identity Module. Hence, an eSIM is basically an Embedded Subscriber Identity Module. It’s quite fair to presume that everyone is more or less familiar with SIM cards—the little chip that allows your phone to connect to your cellular network provider or mobile operator. When you purchase a new phone, you get your SIM card out, insert it inside your new phone, and boom!—cellular service is on.

But with eSIM, that’s exactly going to change since the “embedded” part of the name proposes, this is essentially built into the phone’s main-board. Analogous to an NFC chip, it is rewritable and will be well-matched with all the major carriers, despite what type of the network they use.

You should know that the Pixel and Apple Watch 3 aren’t the only devices using eSIMs. Cars use eSIMs too—we all have come across a connected car by now, and it’s quite obvious for you to wonder where its SIM card may be. The best yet the short answer to this question is that it’s using an eSIM technology. Other producers and manufacturers of connected devices—generally smart-home devices—are also making use of eSIMs. eSIMs make complete sense since it’s less hassle for the customer and offers more connection options for the manufacturer.

In terms of size, eSIM cards are smaller than the SIM cards presently available in the market. Given that the eSIMs come integrated with the phone’s systems, you don’t have to concern yourself with it. In order to get it connected with a mobile network, you would simply require to scan a QR code or enter a PIN to activate the SIM card. This benefit appends to the convenience of utilizing this new technology.

How eSIM Will Change Connected Devices for the Better?

Almost all of us have already heard of the eSIM technology by now. It is basically related to a new standard which is promoted by the GSMA. eSIM is an integrated SIM chip which cannot be removed from the device. Now this is what the electronics manufacturers are adopting in terms of connected items around the house as a part of Internet of Things (IoT).

An advantage of this eSIM technology is the availability of a smaller device since there is no necessity to house a SIM card in the devices.  And so, the devices like the Apple Watch 3 are now in use. September 2017 has witnessed the release of the first eSIM smartphone. It was released by no other than Google with the Google Pixel 2, which became the very first smartphone to include eSIM when connected to the search giant’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Project Fi in the United States.

It is estimated that by the year 2022, the eSIM devices will grow by 1.2 Billion. It has been stated that the GSMA has also worked on a standard reference architecture which is working strongly with Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and handset manufacturers to boost these standards.