eSIM - Afrikan Heroes

Why eSim is the Future of Mobile Telephony

January 13, 2023

A new study by Juniper Research suggests that the market for electronic Sims, or eSims, will mushroom from US$4.7-billion in 2023 to $16.3-billion by 2027.

This comes after Apple launched a version of the iPhone 14 in the US that does not have a physical Sim card – Americans wanting an iPhone must provision an eSim to use the phone as the device does not have a tray for physical Sims. Apple is expected to expand its eSim-only iPhone models to more markets, including Europe, later this year.

But the real market driver will be Android, Juniper’s research suggests, as Google – known for its Android-powered Pixel devices — and Korea’s Samsung Electronics follow suit. The number of active eSims in use around the world will jump from 986 million to 3.5 billion by 2027, Juniper researchers predict.

The number of active eSims in use around the world will jump from 986 million to 3.5 billion by 2027

The move could put telecommunications operators under pressure — they’re worried about the disruptive effects of eSims on their business models. As technology awareness grows, service providers must support eSim connectivity to prevent subscriber attrition.

According to Juniper, the next evolution will be iSim (integrated Sim), which removes the embedded Sim entirely, allowing manufacturers to produce smaller connected devices.

An eSim (embedded Sim) is a type of Sim card that is built into a device, rather than being a removable card. The Sim, or “subscriber identity module”, is a small chip that stores information such as the subscriber’s mobile phone number, contact list and security credentials, allowing the device to connect securely with a mobile network.

Integrated

An eSim is designed to be integrated into a device during the manufacturing process. This can be in the form of a chip embedded in the device or a firmware-based version. Since eSims are not physically removable, it makes it easier, in theory, for users to switch mobile providers without having to replace the Sim card.

One other advantage of eSim technology is that it could help to reduce the environmental impact of mobile devices. Physical Sim cards are made of plastic and are often discarded when a device is replaced, adding to the problem of electronic waste. eSims, on the other hand, have no physical components, so they don’t contribute to such waste.

eSims also have limitations. For example, not all devices support eSim, and the technology might not be available in all countries yet. In addition, they may require additional technical support and may not be compatible with certain mobile network providers.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

South Africa’s Telkom Launches eSIM Support

August 26, 2021

Telkom Mobile, South Africa’s biggest and semi-private telecom group has launched eSIM support for its customers across Huawei, Samsung and Apple smartphones. The eSIM is a digital Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) that allows customers to activate a tariff plan from Telkom, or other operators, without having to use a physical SIM. It is an integrated SIM that is built into devices and cannot be removed, unlike a traditional SIM.

eSIM technology has been steadily gaining in Africa. In June, Safaricom launched its eSIM support in Kenya. MTN was amongst the first to introduce eSIM support in South Africa, debuting the tech for Apple and Samsung devices last year.

“Historically, most of our customers have used traditional card Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs). These enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to identify a user and then to authenticate that the user is serviced by that MNO,” explained Andrew Dawson, Executive: Product Portfolio Management at Telkom.

“Going forward, Telkom will support eSIM enabled handsets. We will enable eSIM provisioning; a specification which allows consumers to activate the SIM embedded in their phone.”

Telkom is set to offer customers an eSIM voucher pack which will contain a QR code with the necessary steps to install an eSIM profile on any eSIM-enabled handset. To use the eSIM, a customer needs a package from Telkom, prepaid or post-paid service, such as Telkom More or FreeMe package.

Additionally, customers will need a voucher and QR Code to install the eSIM profile. The handset will not require a physical or traditional SIM card. Customers may use their eSIM enabled handset and scan the QR code contained in the eSIM voucher pack to download Telkom’s eSIM profile and to install this profile on their handset.

eSIMs will enable customers to switch between networks more easily if they wish to temporarily change to another network. Also, eSIM-enabled devices can have up to eight different profiles installed.

An eSIM allows a customer to download a network profile with necessary network information which is normally configured on a traditional SIM. eSIM-enabled devices can have up to eight different profiles installed.

“Most customers will be able to have more than one SIM card; a dual SIM setup, as most eSIM enabled devices will still have a physical SIM slot available. Since eSIMs are embedded in devices, users can’t lose their SIMs and these eSIMs are more reliable than traditional physical SIM cards,” said Dawson.

“eSIMs are an enhancement of Telkom’s SIM offering and no changes have been made to the provisioning process of mobile services for eSIM services. When provisioning mobile services with an eSIM, one must follow the normal activation process to activate a mobile service on an eSIM.”

eSIMs are device-dependent and only devices that can have an embedded SIM can make use of the technology. For the launch phase, Telkom will only support eSIM enabled smartphones. These include devices from:

Apple (XS / XR / 11 / 12 and Apple iPad 7th generation and higher)

Huawei (40 / 40 Pro / 40 Pro+ and P40 / P40 Pro / P40 Pro+)

Samsung (Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Z Fold2).

Other devices such as wearables devices (e.g., watches) that are eSIM enabled will be supported at a later stage, the company says.