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iSIM: The future of IoT device production?
Charlie Harrisson Meeting the Demands of Connected Device Manufacturing
Manufacturers must balance affordability and reliability when building IoT equipment while addressing the demand for smaller devices, lower power consumption and enhanced data security. These critical factors ultimately converge into a key metric: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Manufacturing and IoT deployment challenges
The complexity of IoT projects often extends production cycles, as modern connected devices integrate multiple components, including modules, sensors, network connectivity, data processing and advanced cybersecurity. To succeed in efficient Iot device production, manufacturers require:
• Seamless Integration – Ensuring compatibility with existing systems for smooth operations across various platforms.
• Scalability – A flexible device monitoring and management platform that grows with business needs, accommodating more devices and functionalities.
• Security & Data Privacy – As IoT devices increase, protecting sensitive data becomes crucial, requiring a robust security framework.
iSIM transforms how manufacturers can leverage cellular connectivity, making it possible to develop ultra-efficient devices that require minimal space and power. Integrating the iSIM into IoT devices improves the secure production of connected devices by enabling late-stage personalization. Therefore, it streamlines development paths, significantly improving inventory management for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
By 2030, nearly 70% of all cellular devices shipped will be eSIM/iSIM-capable, driven by smartphones and cellular IoT modules.
Source: Counterpoint
Optimized production time with iSIM
iSIM (Integrated SIM), or iUICC (Integrated Universal Integrated Circuit Card), provides manufacturers with a streamlined approach to cellular integration. In fact, by embedding SIM functionality directly into the cellular chipset, iSIM eliminates the need for multiple SKUs (stock-keeping units), reducing hardware costs and complexity.
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Another way to accelerate IoT product development is through Kigen’s iSIM secure package, which allows manufacturers to embed your preferred connectivity directly into the selected module or chipset. This integrated approach simplifies deployment and outpaces traditional SIM solutions, enabling a faster, more seamless path to global scalability.
Integrating iSIM technology directly into IoT hardware allows manufacturers to streamline deployment, strengthen security and enable remote device provisioning in compliance with industry standards. Consequently, the technology can enhance cost efficiency due to lower production and long-term running costs.
Benefits of iSIM-enabled IoT devices:
- Optimized Space Efficiency
- Simplified Inventory Management
- Faster Deployment with iSIM secure package
- Enhanced Device Reliability
- Choice of production-ready hardware
Compact power-efficiency
As demand for seamless and efficient IoT connectivity increases, iSIM technology transforms how devices connect to mobile networks. Yet, unlike traditional SIM cards or soldered eSIMs, iSIM is embedded directly into the device’s processor, removing the need for extra hardware. At 98% smaller than eSIM, it enables more compact and efficient device designs.
iSIM technology consolidates three chips into one by integrating the radio and SIM into a single chip, reducing complexity. Meanwhile, greater integration allows devices to leverage built-in functionalities rather than relying on external components. Combining the cellular modem and SIM within a System-on-Chip (SoC) significantly minimizes the space required for connectivity components. iSIM-enabled SoCs simplify device design while boosting power efficiency and overall performance.
Future-proofing connectivity needs
From an operational standpoint, IoT service providers and OEMs can expedite deploying their devices by integrating SIM functionality directly into the factory, eliminating the need for market-specific configurations at the deployment point. Partnering with module makers to receive iSIMs pre-configured with region-specific connectivity subscriptions improves manufacturing.
This removes the hassle of replacing SIM cards throughout a device’s lifecycle and allows seamless switching to new providers, ensuring long-term flexibility and future-proofing for evolving connectivity needs. This advancement makes cellular connectivity a sustainable and efficient choice for low-power IoT applications, enabling long-term deployments with minimal maintenance.
Enabling connectivity for low-power IoT applications
iSIM allows over-the-air (OTA) updates and remote SIM provisioning (RSP), which is compliant with the latest GSMA standards (SGP.31/32). Furthermore, the evolution of LPWA networks such as LTE-M and NB-IoT has paved the way for iSIM technology to deliver ultra-low power consumption, extending battery life up to 10-15 years. With scalable deployments across diverse geographies, iSIM reduces manual maintenance and provisioning costs, making it an optimal choice for low-power IoT applications.
Most importantly, the GSMA SGP.32 standard is set to revolutionize remote SIM provisioning, empowering enterprises by shifting business intelligence from the network to the device and SIM. This innovation streamlines profile switching and accelerates time-to-market for OEMs.
Strengthening security with iSIM
As IoT adoption expands, security remains a top priority for connected devices. iSIM technology enhances cybersecurity by integrating SIM functionality directly into the device. It’s worth noting that security is a core feature of iSIM, serving as a secure Root of Trust (RoT) to authenticate and safeguard applications.
Built with a tamper-resistant element (TRE), it ensures end-to-end security, protecting device integrity and network connections, especially as connected products increasingly incorporate mission-critical data for AI. iSIM, with its hardware-backed security, is a perfect enabler of AI device security, defending against malicious attacks while safeguarding data privacy and system integrity.
Unlocking new revenue streams with smart data
Enterprises are harnessing AI to drive data-driven decisions, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge. By integrating real-time IoT data with AI analytics, businesses unlock insights that enhance efficiency and profitability. However, robust security is crucial as AI-powered services grow, reinforcing the need for assured device identity and data integrity.
iSIM technology offers a game-changing opportunity to monetize IoT devices by seamlessly integrating device identity with secure connectivity. This built-in authentication ensures each device is trusted and verifiable, providing a solid foundation for reliable data generation. With this secure framework, businesses can capitalize on data-driven insights and explore new revenue streams, from subscription-based models to advanced IoT services, ultimately driving more excellent value from their connected devices.
A recent study by Juniper Research forecasts a significant surge in iSIM adoption, with the number of installed iSIMs in connected devices expected to skyrocket from 800,000 in 2024 to over 10 million by 2026.
Potential iSIM applications
Let’s not forget that iSIM delivers seamless, flexible connectivity with unprecedented security. With their compact design, energy efficiency, and high performance, iSIMs open up new possibilities for enhancing existing applications and expanding connectivity across a wider range of use cases.
- Smart Utilities– Utility providers use new devices to offer dynamic pricing, real-time billing and access to connected devices for remote monitoring.
- Fleet tracking – Fleet management leverages cellular-transmitted diagnostics for real-time decisions and strategic planning.
- Logistics – iSIM tracking devices safeguard perishable goods, medicines, and valuables by ensuring optimal conditions via precise, reliable monitoring.
- Smart wearables – iSIM can be designed into thin and sleek wearables for fitness and healthcare for progress monitoring via cellular IoT
Are you ready to take advantage Kigen iSIM Secure Package for enabled connectivity?
Then check out our quick development iSIM ecosystem evaluation kits here
Driving iSIM adoption: A collaborative effort across the IoT ecosystem
The adoption of iSIM technology is gaining momentum as industry leaders—including module manufacturers, OEMs, M(V)NOs, and chipmakers—drive its development and integration.
Consequently, more chipmakers are embedding iSIM hardware into their products, strengthening the foundation for widespread adoption. This, in turn, motivates module manufacturers to integrate both eSIM and iSIM into their solutions, fueling IoT ecosystem growth.
To Conclude:
iSIM technology enables a more compact, power-efficient, and secure approach to cellular connectivity, which is ideal for space-constrained IoT devices. Kigen’s iSIM offers the ultimate foundation for data to be secured and trustable from the chip to the cloud based on the GSMA IoT-SAFE standard for data security.
Cellular network coverage is available through the world’s largest MNOs and MVNOs, which have leading LPWAN network connectivity. Moreover, Kigen’s groundbreaking iSIM secure package enables manufacturers to scale device distribution effortlessly, removing the delays associated with traditional SIM provisioning. Redefining connectivity with built-in security sets a new standard for seamless and secure IoT deployment.
