SGP.32 eSIM explained from Kigen eIM

SGP.32 and eIM: Unlocking the Future of IoT eSIM

SGP.32 for IoT eSIMs explained: eIM, the Game-Changer for eSIM in Low Power Wide Area Networks, bringing ultra-efficient management suited for NB-IoT devices, and growing the reach for operators – all through standards.

Author:

Said Gharout - head of standards at Kigen

Saïd Gharout

Chair, eSIM Specifications Working Group at GSMA
Head of Standards at Kigen

The Internet of Things (IoT) is driving a massive transformation across industries, with billions of connected devices enabling smarter cities, efficient transportation, optimized energy management, and more. As IoT continues to grow, Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) have become critical in supporting a large number of resource-constrained devices. However, security and business continuity challenges have arisen in the past due to limitations in existing Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity standards, particularly in the context of eSIM (eUICC) management.

In this article, I’ll explore how the GSMA SGP.32 specification and the introduction of the eIM (eSIM IoT Manager) represent a breakthrough for eSIM in the IoT ecosystem. These advancements optimize operations for resource-constrained devices and deliver significant benefits to manufacturers, operators, and enterprises alike.

The Growth of IoT and LPWAN: A Focus on Resource-Constrained Devices

Today, IoT is expanding at an unprecedented rate. According to industry research, over 50% of IoT devices are now classified as resource- and network-constrained, operating in environments where power, memory, and connectivity are limited. The demand for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is surging due to their ability to support these devices in cost-effective and energy-efficient ways.


Why does this matter?

Overall, the global NB-IoT market is projected to reach over USD 31 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 31.82% from 2024 to 2029. This growth is underpinned by the increasing demand for low-power, wide-area connectivity solutions in various industries​ (IoT M2M Council).

By 2030, the global smart metering market is forecasted to double to 3.4 billion devices, driven in part by NB-IoT technology. The low power consumption and cost-effectiveness of NB-IoT modules are key factors for this growth in residential and commercial buildings​. (IoT Business News)


LPWAN technologies such as NB-IoT are increasingly becoming the backbone of IoT networks, particularly in sectors like smart metering, asset tracking, agriculture, and industrial automation. These technologies allow devices to operate on minimal power, sometimes lasting years on a single battery charge, and can connect in remote areas where traditional cellular networks may not reach. The growth of these networks reflects the broader need to support devices that must remain operational for extended periods under limited resource conditions.

The Security and Continuity Challenges for M2M eSIM Management

With the rapid expansion of IoT, security and business continuity have become paramount considerations. IoT devices often manage sensitive data, such as utility consumption in smart meters or location data in fleet management systems. Maintaining secure, reliable connections is critical for ensuring the integrity of these devices.

However, the limitations of the M2M eSIM standard, known as SGP.02, have hindered the ability of connectivity providers to fully support resource-constrained devices. One significant limitation is the standard’s reliance on SMS messaging for eSIM profile management. While SMS is effective in traditional mobile networks, NB-IoT devices cannot handle SMS due to their memory constraints and limited network capability. As a result, the eSIM profile management processes for these devices can become inefficient or even fail, leaving critical devices vulnerable to connectivity disruptions.

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The Need for Efficient eSIM Operations in High-Growth IoT Markets

In sectors such as smart metering, automotive, and tracking, efficient eSIM profile download and management operations are critical. For example, smart meters, which are typically powered by single-charge batteries designed to last many years, require minimal power consumption for all their operations, including connectivity management. Optimizing the entire lifecycle of eSIM management for these devices— from activation to deactivation and updates— is a key concern for manufacturers and connectivity providers alike.

The growing number of IoT devices in fleet management, where multiple devices must be remotely controlled and updated, has heightened the need for efficient eSIM operations. Whether tracking vehicles, managing smart meters, or overseeing industrial equipment, ensuring that eSIM operations consume as little power as possible while maintaining continuous, secure connectivity is essential for business continuity.

Enter SGP.32: Simplifying IoT Fleet Management with eIM

To address these challenges, the GSMA introduced SGP.32, which brings a new level of architectural optimization to eSIM management for IoT devices. Central to this specification is the eIM, or eSIM IoT Manager. This key innovation represents a simplification of the Local Profile Assistant (LPA) found in prior standards. The eIM is designed to streamline the complex processes involved in managing fleets of IoT devices, offering a more efficient, scalable solution for connectivity providers.

The eIM introduces four essential functions that greatly improve the cost-efficiency and performance of managing IoT devices:

  1. Profile Download Optimization: The eIM enables streamlined profile downloads, reducing the bandwidth and energy consumption required for IoT devices. This is particularly important for NB-IoT and LPWAN devices where resources are extremely constrained. The eIM particularly comes to the fore when it orchestrates and authenticates profile downloads directly from the SM-DP+ to ensure that the device is dealing with the right SM-DP+ – a function called, indirect profile download.
  2. Lifecycle Management: With the eIM, managing the entire lifecycle of an eSIM— from activation to updates and deactivation— becomes simpler and more automated. This is crucial in markets like smart metering, where devices need to last for years without requiring frequent manual interventions.
  3. Bulk Device Management: The eIM supports large-scale fleet management, allowing connectivity providers to manage thousands or even millions of devices more efficiently. This reduces operational costs and ensures smoother performance across a wide array of IoT devices.
  4. Security Enhancements: By centralizing eSIM management under the eIM, the new standard introduces stronger security mechanisms, ensuring that IoT devices maintain secure, reliable connectivity throughout their lifecycle.

Maximizing Interoperability and Efficiency with eIM

One of the critical considerations when implementing the eIM is its ability to maximize interoperability between different server solutions that profiles are downloaded from. In the diverse and fragmented world of IoT, ensuring seamless communication between eSIM profiles and server platforms is key to reducing downtime and operational inefficiencies.

The eIM supports both HTTPS and CoAP with UDP for communication with the IPA. It also supports binding protocols like ASN (Abstract Syntax Notation) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), which play a crucial role here enabling interoperability with legacy SM-DP+ where ASN.1 binding may not be supported. By using efficient and lightweight protocols, the eIM minimizes the strain on device resources while ensuring fast, reliable data transfer between devices and eSIM servers. This efficiency is particularly important for devices on LPWAN and NB-IoT networks, where bandwidth and power consumption must be kept to a minimum.

Notable!
The eIM enables streamlined profile downloads, reducing the bandwidth and energy consumption required for IoT devices. This is particularly important for NB-IoT and LPWAN devices where resources are extremely constrained. The eIM particularly comes to the fore when it orchestrates and authenticates profile downloads directly from the SM-DP+ to ensure that the device is dealing with the right SM-DP+ – a function called, indirect profile download.

Supporting Transition and Co-Management with eIM

Beyond enhancing current eSIM management processes, the eIM also plays a pivotal role in supporting manufacturers and operators in their transition between different eSIM standards. As the IoT ecosystem evolves, enterprises will increasingly need to manage devices that operate on a mix of eSIM standards, including legacy SGP.02 and the more advanced SGP.32.

The eIM facilitates this transition by allowing for co-management of devices operating on different standards. This flexibility ensures that manufacturers and operators can maintain business continuity as they move towards adopting the latest technologies.

Choosing the Right Partner for SGP.32 v1.2 Compliance

For enterprises, manufacturers, and operators, navigating the transition to SGP.32 can seem daunting. However, there’s no need to wait— the benefits of SGP.32 v1.2 are available today, and with the right partner, you can start reaping the rewards of optimized eSIM management immediately.

When selecting a partner, look for those who understand the intricacies of the latest specifications and have a proven track record in the IoT space. At Kigen, we have been at the forefront of eSIM collaborative standardization, helping our customers deploy secure, scalable, and efficient IoT solutions. We believe security can open up new possibilities for both connectivity players and manufacturers to reach a wider device range, and design more efficient and cost-effective eSIM management at scale.

In conclusion, the introduction of SGP.32 and the eIM marks a significant step forward in the evolution of IoT connectivity. By simplifying eSIM management and optimizing operations for resource-constrained devices, these advancements will drive greater efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness for businesses across the globe. Now is the time to embrace these changes and unlock the full potential of IoT with trusted partners who understand the future of connectivity.

About the author

Said Gharout is head of standards at Kigen. He is the chair of GSMA eSIM IoT working group and the chair of the TCA IoT Remote SIM Provisioning working group. He has been involved in developing many standards related to IoT, eSIM, and iSIM, and security in various organizations.