1.

INRODUCTION
The eSIM technology has been around for quite some time. The acronym eSIM
stands for Embedded Subscribers Identity Module. Unlike conventional SIM
cards, eSIM cards do not have a physical form factor. Instead, they are
embedded in the circuitry of a smartphone. The eSIM allows a user to access
telecommunication services without the need of inserting a physical SIM card
into the SIM card slot.
In order to use eSIM, both the service provider and the smartphone of the user
shall support the functionality. Since it is relatively new communication
technology, very few smartphones support it. In India, there are limited
smartphones that support an eSIM. Entry-level smartphones manufactured by
various brands do not support an eSIM and this includes almost all the
smartphones that are priced below Rs. 30,000 in India. Flagships smartphones
such as the Apple iPhone series, Samsung Galaxy S20 and S21 series and
Google Pixel series support eSIM.
2.WHAT IS E-SIM
As the name suggests, an eSIM is an electronic form of a traditional SIM card
that is embedded into a smartphone's motherboard. In other words, an eSIM is a
digital SIM card. Traditionally, SIM Cards are small physical chip that holds
subscribers information and allows the subscribers to connect to other users on
the network by accessing the telecommunication service. While an eSIM offers
similar services, it eliminates the need for a subscriber to use a physical SIM
card. Additionally, since traditional SIM cards are made up of plastic, eSIMs
are eco-friendly.
As mentioned earlier, both the smartphone and the service provider shall
support the functionality, otherwise, a user will not be able to use eSIM. There
are certain advantages of using an eSIM over a physical SIM. For instance,
eSIM saves the space occupied by SIM card trays. For people who travel across
the world, having an eSIM can save their troubles of getting a physical SIM
every time they land into new territory. Additionally, a user can never lose an
eSIM, as it does not have a physical form.
3. SIM and eSIM?
We're all familiar with the SIM card that we have to pop out from our previous
phone and insert into our new device to get wireless service.
But things are changing.
ESIM has become a generic term used worldwide to describe a new vector of
mobile connectivity for consumers and IoT devices in just a few years.
As its name suggests, the embedded SIM card or eSIM is built into the phone's
board.
It's rewritable and compatible with all leading carriers.
In short:
• The chip and its super secure software come embedded inside the phone.
• The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) credentials, necessary to sign on
to our preferred carrier's cellphone network, are downloaded.
• The eSIM works precisely as a SIM card.
eSIM specifications (data format and security mechanisms in particular)
are standardized to allow interoperability and enable remote SIM provisioning
of any mobile device.
It sounds easy, and it is.
4. What is the size of an eSIM?
An eSIM module is very tiny.

More precisely, the eSIM size is 2,5mm by 2,3 mm, and the thickness is 0,2
mm.

OK, we know what you're thinking.

The answer is, "NO."

You won't have to plug it in. The embedded SIM secure elements come either
plugged-in or soldered.

As a reminder:

• A regular SIM or 2FF (Second Form Factor) measures 15 mm by 25 mm.

• The micro-SIM, or 3FF SIM card is 12mm by 15mm and 0,76 for
thickness.
• The nano-SIM or 4FF is 8.8 mm by 12.3 mm.
5.What are the eSIM advantages?
eSIM brings new advantages to all stakeholders.

• For the end-user, the onboarding experience is straightforward. The eSIM

allows an electronic device to be used as soon as it is switched on. As
the eSIM is rewritable, the end-user can also pick up a local pre-paid
phone number when traveling abroad, avoiding premium roaming fees.
• For service providers, logistics and support are simplified: no more SIM
cards to managed at the customer's level.
• For eSIM carriers, eSIM is extending mobile connectivity to many new
consumer-connected devices, creating new business opportunities.

• For designers, new devices can be smaller, more dust resistant, and
waterproof.
6. Which smartphones support eSIM, other
than iPhone?
The list of compatible eSIM devices is getting longer as we speak. It's only a
matter of time before many devices from phones, wearables and tablets, and
portable PCs embrace embedded SIM cards.
Why?

It's because major operating systems such as Google's Android and Wear OS,
Apple's IOS, and Windows 10 support eSIM.

These ecosystems are creating a powerful momentum for eSIMs.

• Phones: Currently, Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Motorola Razr and Next
Gen Razr, Huawei P40, and Samsung Galaxy Fold and Galaxy
Note, S20 and S21 phones support eSIM.
• Watches: The Apple Watch, Huawei Watch 2, the Samsung Gear and
Galaxy Watch, OPPO Watch are eSIM-ready.
• Other devices: Apple iPads, some HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft PC models
have adopted the eSIM format. Huawei also has eSIM-enabled models.
7. How many smartphones support eSIM?
The trend is upward.
According to an ABI Research study published in July 2020, eSIM-enabled
smartphone shipments will double in 2021 to 781 million units from 255 in
2020.
There's more.
The company forecasts a minimum of 781 million eSIM-powered phones to be
delivered in 2025.
The support of eSIM by major operating systems, the launch of Samsung's S21
and S20 devices in particular, and the increasing eSIM readiness of carriers are
three significant elements considered in the market analysis.
8. eSIM carriers
According to our company, over 200 mobile network operators plan to launch
eSIM services.

It's true that in early 2020, many carriers are not eSIM-ready yet. But it's just a
matter of time. As we said earlier, all significant networks support the eSIM
standard.
9. Where do we fit in?
Thales is working with nearly 450 MNOs globally. The company has been
awarded over 200 eSIM management platforms to mobile operators, MVNOs
but also OEMs and carmakers.

We have the largest SIM and eSIM customers and partners worldwide.

There's more.

Our team of experts for SIM and eSIM-related technologies is the largest in the
industry. It keeps coming with new ideas and products that have won critical
acclaim at innovation award ceremonies.

The result?

You can count on us now and in the future.

10. How to get an eSIM in India?
Talking about service providers that allow users to use an eSIM, the three
leading telecom operators in the country - Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and
Bharti Airtel offer eSIM functionality. If a user has a smartphone that supports
eSIM and wants to activate an eSIM, they can follow the steps on the official
website of all three telecom providers. Given below are the links to the eSIM
guide for all three companies. Keep in mind that the activation procedure differs
from company to company. Further, it also differs from the OS on a
smartphone.

• Reliance Jio: https://www.jio.com/en-in/esim

• Bharti Airtel: https://www.airtel.in/esim
• Vodafone Idea: https://www.myvi.in/esim-activation
• Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044
11.HISTORY
Since 2010, the GSMA had been discussing the possibility of a software-based
SIM.[4]

While Motorola noted that eUICC is geared at industrial devices, Apple

"disagreed that there is any statement forbidding the use of an embedded UICC
in a consumer product.". Currently the GSMA maintains two different versions
of the standard, one for consumer devices[5] and another for M2M devices.[6]

A first version of the standard was published in March 2016, followed by a

second version in November 2016.

In 2016, the Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G smartwatch was the first device to
implement an eSIM.[7]

In 2017, during Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm introduced a technical

solution, with a live demonstration, within its Snapdragon hardware chip
associated with related software (secured Java applications)
12.CONCLUSION
Rather than a physical SIM card that is manually inserted into a device an eSIM
is permanently surface mounted to a mobile device at the factory. It improves
reliability and network security, while also reducing space requirements, since a
relatively bulky connector is not needed, increasing design flexibility.

An eSIM is typically provisioned remotely; end-users can add or remove

operators without the need to physically swap a SIM from the device.[1] All
eSIMs are programmed with a permanent eSIM ID (EID) at the factory.[2] This
number is used by the provisioning service to associate the device with an
existing carrier subscription as well as to negotiate a secure channel for
programming.

eSIM is a global specification by the GSMA that enables remote SIM

provisioning of any mobile device. GSMA defines eSIM as the SIM for the next
generation of connected consumer devices. Networking solutions using eSIM
technology can be widely applied to various Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios,
including connected cars (smart rearview mirrors, on-board diagnostics (OBD),
vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots), artificial intelligence translators, MiFi devices, smart
earphones, smart metering, GPS tracking units, DTU, bike-sharing, advertising
players, video surveillance devices, etc.

eSIM uses the same electrical interface as a physical SIM as defined in ISO/IEC
7816. Once a carrier profile has been installed on an eSIM it operates the same
as a physical SIM, complete with a unique ICCID and network authentication
key generated by the carrier.

The physical form factor of an eSIM chip is commonly designated MFF2.