As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the physical SIM card that we all know is poised to become a thing of the past. These small plastic chips that we have all been inserting into our mobile phones for years are soon going to be replaced by new digital technology called eSIM. But what is eSIM, and more importantly, what is different about eSIM information? This article will take a look at eSIM and the technical specifications that make it the next development in mobile connectivity.
The journey from physical SIM, to digital SIM.
In a physical SIM card, there exists a tiny microchip that contains your subscriber identity, authentication keys and information about your carrier. The subscriber identity, authentication keys and carrier information identifies you to your carrier’s network and enables your device to leverage the carrier’s network and services.
A eSIM (embedded SIM), does the exact same thing as a physical SIM card. The biggest difference is with eSIMs, rather than chopping a physical card, the eSIM is a tiny chip that is soldered to the motherboard of your device at the time of manufacture. The eSIM can be programmed and reprogrammed through an over-the-air mechanism rather than having to change a physical SIM card.
eSIM Technical Architecture
At its very basic, an eSIM consists of:
1. eUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card): this is the SIM chip that you program and is physically or permanently attached to your device
2. Operating System: An eUICC operates using its own unique operating system for running carrier profiles and authentication.
3. Profile Management: The eUICC can manage multiple operator profiles enabling one to be active with other profiles in dormant states.
4. Secure Element: a defense area of the chip to protect sensitive authentication data and prevent tampering and access.
The eSIM Provisioning Process
When we consider how information can be added to an eSIM when the eSIM isn’t physically being accessed, information is sent via a provisioning process referred to as “remote provisioning.” The overall remote provisioning process is as follows:
1. Activation: When you want to set up a new carrier on your eSIM, you initiate the process through your device settings or by scanning a QR code provided by your carrier.
2. SM-DP+: Your device will connect to the carrier’s Subscription Manager Data Preparation (SM-DP+) server, which is where encrypted Carrier profiles are stored.
3. Authentication: The device and carrier will inherit each other’s authentication, registering each device on the network and establishing a secure connection between both.
4. Downloading The Profile: The carrier profile, or the information that is identified with your phone number, plan details, and authentication information, will securely download to your device.
5. Installation: The profile sends a “call log install process,” and depending on how you want to activate the new profile, you can either do it immediately or keep it dormant.
Multiple Profile Management
Perhaps the most useful feature of eSIM is the ability to store multiple carrier profiles at the same time. Here’s a breakdown of how this works:
1. Your device maintains a list of all installed profiles
2. Each profile exists in its own secure, isolated environment
3. The device’s operating system allows you to switch the active profile
4. Only one profile can typically be active at a time, though some devices support dual-active eSIM configurations
5. Dormant profiles remain securely stored but inactive until needed
Practical Considerations
The features and capabilities of eSIM are highly beneficial in the following contexts:
IoT Devices: eSIMs support IoT manufacturers to build and ship devices globally with connectivity turned on when they are deployed.
Wearable Technology: Where space may be at a premium, the small form-factor of an eSIM is very useful for smartwatches and fitness trackers.
International Travel: Travelers can easily add local carrier profiles without having to try and locate physical SIM cards in unfamiliar locations.
Enterprise Management: Organizations can remotely provision and manage connectivity for devices of employees worldwide.
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