Satellite connectivity based on 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications to create a non-terrestrial network (NTN) ecosystem, enabling connectivity between terrestrial systems and satellite systems on the same mobile platform. NTN enables a smooth transition between cellular and satellite connectivity for IoT devices needing constant cellular connectivity.
5G is the fifth-generation 95G) wireless technology, which offers low latency and high speed connectivity reducing the time for messages to travel over the network and increasing reliability. It offers new features for IoT including increased bandwidth, supporting many more devices for massive IoT deployments which benefits Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) deployments with much longer battery life.
Cellular IoT is a means of connecting physical devices, often with sensors, to the internet. Cellular IoT enables the transmission of data packets over the air using a wireless spectrum to mobile network towers. The cellular towers provide broad coverage, allowing devices on the move or in remote areas to stay connected using LPWAN through NB-IoT or LTE-M networks. IoT devices include asset-tracking applications, smart meters, smart wearables, healthcare monitoring, security systems, and many other devices to the internet via 4G, 5G, and LTE Cat. 0, LTE Cat M, 4G LTE, LTE Advanced and 5G.
Consumer eSIM provisioning, known as the GSMA SGP.22 standard, remotely activates the embedded SIM (eSIM) in a consumer smartphone, laptop, tablet, or wearable, allowing it to connect to a mobile network or service provider without needing a physical SIM card. The eSIM, a SIM card already embedded in a device, can be activated and managed remotely by a mobile network carrier or service provider. By activating the eSIM remotely, users can quickly activate a mobile plan without physically visiting a store or waiting for a SIM card to be shipped to them.
eDRX enables developers to customize their device's idle mode in more detail than in continuous reception. For instance, eDRX allows a more precise definition of the intervals at which the device enters receive mode to maintain outside connectivity. This feature is like fine-tuning for energy conservation, ensuring that the device stays accessible for longer periods without entering power-saving mode.
The eIM is a standardized eSIM provisioning tool for large-scale deployment and management of eSIM‑enabled IoT devices. It manages the communication with Connectivity Management Platform or Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus (SM-DP+), to manages operator profiles remotely.
This term is used within the GSMA’s Remote SIM Provisioning standard to describe the manufacturer of an eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Cards) or embedded SIM. The eUICCs are sold to device manufacturers and mobile network operators (MNOs). EUMs are responsible for creating specifications and designs for eUICCs, which involve defining the hardware, software, and security features. They also manufacture the physical eUICC cards that include the embedded SIM functionality. Ensuring the security of eUICCs is crucial, so EUMs implement security measures such as encryption, authentication and secure storage.
Originally, SIM was the 2G application inside the Universal Integrated Circuit Card or UICC. People use the word SIM card to refer to UICC, which ETSI standardizes.SIM form factors relate to the physical dimensions of the SIM card, encompassing traditional sizes such as Full-Sized, Mini, Micro and Nano SIMs and have shrunk from the original plastic card 1FF. A nano-SIM can function as an eSIM, and an eSIM can exist in different form factors, such as MFF2.
SGP.32 facilatets the integration of "Consumer" eSIM profiles from any operator by through their existing SM-DP+. There is no need for user interaction as a resut of the implementation of the Local Profile Assistant (LPA) as an "IPA" (IoT Profile Assistant) – either as "IPAd" (device-based) or "IPAe" (embedded as an application within the eSIM). Also included is the eIM (eSIM IoT Remote Manager). The eIM is a standardized eSIM provisioning tool that simplifies the deployment and management of eSIM IoT devices at a scale. The eIM can be configured at the eUICC manufacturing and (IPA) allows more convenient local profile switching.
IFPP allows OEMs to securely pre-configure devices before shipping with one or more profiles. These profiles provide out-of-the-box connectivity based on geographic location.IFPP serves as an alternative to solely relying on in-field provisioning, especially for applications using Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWAN) technologies, such as NB-IoT, which are utilized in devices with limited battery life. The production lines of connected cellular devices can be dynamically updated with multiple profiles, streamlining fulfillment and enabling scalability.
Interoperability is the ability for IoT devices, applications, and platforms to exchange and interpret data seamlessly. Interoperability ensures devices from different manufacturers talk to each other effectively, enabling users to create comprehensive and interconnected systems.
IoT SAFE (IoT SIM Applet For Secure End-to-End Communication)
IoT SAFE is an interoperable, GSMA standard that uses the SIM as a miniature crypto-safe inside the device to securely establish a datagram transport layer security (D)TLS session with a corresponding application cloud or server. It provides a common application program interface (API) for the SIM to be used as a root of trust by IoT devices to ensure data is transmitted securely to and from approved devices only.
The Local Profile Assistant (LPA) is a software interface found on devices with eSIM technology. It streamlines downloading, installing, and managing eSIM profiles directly on the device. LPA serves as a bridge between your device and various mobile network operators (MNOs) without needing physical SIM cards. Whether you're changing carriers or setting up a new eSIM profile, LPA seamlessly manages these tasks in the background.
Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology facilitates direct communication between devices, resulting in an interconnected network of objects. This network enables seamless data sharing and collaboration, bolstering productivity, efficiency, and convenience across diverse industries.M2M devices utilize cellular connectivity due to the reliability and extensive coverage provided by cellular networks. This form of connectivity enables seamless communication over large geographical expanses.
Multi-IMSI (Multiple International Mobile Subscriber Identities)
Multi-IMSI is a unique set of digits that forms an important part of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) profile that lets Mobile Network Operators authenticate their subscribers for access to roaming agreement.Multi-IMSI enables the management of multiple subscriber profiles, enabling devices to effortlessly roam across different regions by dynamically selecting appropriate local carrier profiles.
IoT devices in the field use IMSI to connect to a network as part of the identification process to gain access. The network authentication relies on the IMSI and Ki values, which are shared between the SIM card and the network. During authentication, the network creates a random value for each session. The SIM card encrypts this value using a secret key Ki using the A3 algorithm as defined by the GSMA.
Applying a set of software data to an eUICC that enables it to function and makes it unique. This can include an operating system, applications, profiles and security configurations.
A combination of data and applications that enables access to a cellular network and influences some aspects of the device behavior on the cellular network.
Power Saving Mode (PSM) enables idle IoT devices to enter a low-power state, conserving a significant amount of energy during periods of inactivity when no data is being transmitted. This precise management of power consumption is crucial for reducing energy costs, easing cellular network congestion, and prolonging the operational lifespan of low-power devices. PSM is particularly well-suited to NB-IoT and LTE-M low power wide area network technologies.
Remote SIM provisioning (RSP) in IoT is made possible by eUICC technology, which is part of the eSIM standard. RSP enables the remote management of SIM profiles stored on eUICC-capable SIM cards. This includes over-the-air installation, switching, and deactivation of SIM profiles across different mobile network operators. Currently, there are two main RSP solutions: Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Consumer solutions.
The GSMA operates a Security Accreditation Scheme (SAS). This well-established scheme requires UICC and eUICC manufacturers to subject their production sites and processes to a comprehensive security audit. The GSMA has developed the auditing standards, requirements, and methodologies for SAS in collaboration with SIM suppliers and world-class auditing firms.
Companies that want to manufacture eUICCs need to obtain SAS-UP (SAS for UICC Production) accreditation for their site. On the other hand, those wanting to perform remote provisioning or download required profiles to eUICCs need to obtain SAS-SM (SAS for Subscription Management) accreditation for their site. The GSMA SAS-UP standard defines a comprehensive set of protocols and security measures for securely handling production data, including certificate management, data generation, and data personalization for Smart Cards (SC) and eUICC-sensitive products.
The Secure Enclave stands as a certified security stronghold nestled within a System-On-Chip design. It encompasses robust hardware and low-level software, forming an impenetrable defense against both hardware and software attacks. Within its secure confines, the Secure Enclave can adeptly accommodate Kigen SIM or eSIM OS and applications and their sensitive cryptographic data. This remarkable feature is also recognized as an integrated Tamper Resistant Element (iTRE).
The secure element that stores security data enabling network access. Colloquially, SIM is often used to refer to the removable physical SIM card containing a UICC with a single profile.
The server-side platform of the M2M remote SIM provisioning architecture that acts on behalf of the network operator to securely store profiles in readiness for an allocation and download request. Upon establishing a secure session with the target eUICC, it executes their download and installation.
SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus)
The central server-side platform of the consumer remote SIM provisioning architecture that securely stores profiles, makes them available for and negotiates their secure download to the target eUICC via the device LPA.
The universally available platform within the consumer remote SIM provisioning architecture that may be used to inform an eUICC that a profile has been made available for download and on which SM-DP+.
The server-side platform of the M2M remote SIM provisioning architecture that acts on behalf of the eSIM owner. The SM-SR enables remote management of the eSIM and its profiles, if permitted by the profile owner.
The SIM card stores the basic subscription information including International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), network authentication key (Ki) and subscriber-related information such as address book (ADN),Text Messages (SMS), Language Preferences (LP), Roaming preferences (PLMNsel) and Network name (SPN).
A silicon enclave within a Tamper Resistant Chip (TRC) or a System on Chip (SoC) that supports the security and tamper resistance requirements for a Primary Platform.
eUICC stands for Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card. It is a component of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card that allows users to switch Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). This technology has enhanced cellular IoT by simplifying global deployment and mobile machine-to-machine applications.
eSIM is a sealed chip soldered directly to the printed circuit board (PCB) within the device. This form factor is known as MFF2 (machine-to-machine form factor). eSIM technology combines hardware, a secure element and a software package known as a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) into a single silicon chip. This allows network access profiles to be downloaded, enabled, and securely managed by the SIM card. eSIMs are utilized in various IoT devices based on their specific use case and can be provisioned remotely over the air.
iSIM is built into a dedicated Tamper Resistant Element (TRE) on the System on Chip (SoC) and provide all the same functionality as an embedded SIM (eSIM). Unlike MFF2 embedded SIMs, which must be soldered onto the circuit board, iSIMs are a dedicated chip component. The iSIM is incredibly small, measuring just 1mm by 1mm, much smaller than the MFF2 and standard SIM card form factors.