The global mobile connectivity ecosystem is in the midst of a transformative phase. As traditional removable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are increasingly replaced by Embedded SIM (eSIM) and Integrated SIM (iSIM) technologies, technology providers across the value chain must rethink their long-held strategies, supply chains, and product offerings.
ABI Research’s new eSIM & SIM Solutions research service is designed to help SIM/eSIM hardware and solution providers, cellular connectivity providers, and device makers navigate this new terrain. Our body of content helps stakeholders adapt to a fast-changing market defined by digital-first, remote-provisioned connectivity.
A New Era of Connectivity: From Plastic to Embedded
Historically, removable SIM cards provided the flexibility to switch carriers and manage connectivity. Today, eSIM and iSIM technologies are redefining that experience. By being remotely programmable and space-efficient, these new SIM models reduce physical complexity and streamline device provisioning.
This evolution is driven not only by consumer demand for simpler device setup, but also by enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) needs. Devices like smart meters, wearables, and asset trackers benefit from quick provisioning, smaller form factors, reduced power consumption, and tamper-resistant security that eSIM and iSIM provide. Furthermore, eSIM is beneficial for automatic carrier switching, which can be essential when a device crosses borders (e.g., transport).
A New Research Lens for the Mobile Industry
ABI Research’s new eSIM & SIM Solutions research service provides a market intelligence framework that addresses the SIM-to-eSIM/iSIM implications across every corner of the industry:
- Hardware Form Factors & Vendor Shifts: As physical SIM card sales slow down, secure Integrated Circuit (IC) vendors and SIM solution providers must rapidly adapt or risk irrelevance.
- New Standards & Timelines: Emerging specifications like SGP.32 for IoT and SGP.22 for consumer applications are reshaping the timeline of global SIM deployment strategies.
- Ecosystem Complexity: The rise of Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), entitlement, and orchestration platforms introduces new layers of industry complexity. It’s vital now for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and platform providers to work together.
Strategic Guidance for Every Mobile Industry Player
ABI Research’s eSIM & SIM Solutions research service was created to support companies at every link of the mobile industry. Our body of research—encompassing market forecasts/shares, application analysis reports, ABI Insights, presentations, webinars, and vendor analyses—supports the following three company types in Table 1.
Table 1: How ABI Research’s eSIM & SIM Solutions Research Service Supports the Mobile Ecosystem
|
Company Type/ Category |
Business Problems Addressed |
Key Questions Answered |
|
SIM/eSIM Hardware and Solution Providers |
Optimize product/solution positioning and go-to-market strategies Benchmark vendor performance versus competitors Support product and solution development for differentiation |
What is the current timeline expectation for the transition from removable SIMs to eSIM? How can companies differentiate in a market defined by stringent standards? Who are the market-leading vendors and what capabilities define their leadership? |
|
Cellular Connectivity Providers and Supporting Ecosystem |
Understand standards evolution and migration/adoption timelines (e.g., SGP.32) Identify IoT end markets with the highest short-, mid-, and long-term potential Prepare for Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) and onboarding requirements |
How will adoption of SGP.32 progress over the next 5 years? Which IoT end markets will grow the most, and how can providers position to maximize business potential? What capabilities are needed to deliver seamless customer experiences? |
|
Device OEMs and ODMs |
Understand how cellular technologies create business value beyond connectivity Navigate the ecosystem and supply chain to identify the right partners Determine best-fit SIM/eSIM form factors for technology adoption |
Which device types are the best fit for SIM/eSIM technologies? Who should OEMs/Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) partner with from a hardware perspective? Which SIM/eSIM form factor is optimal, and how might future developments shift that choice? |
Partner with ABI Research’s eSIM & SIM Solutions Analyst Team Today
The mobile ecosystem is increasingly shaped by global standards, making your success contingent on precise timing, agility, and alignment with specifications. ABI Research’s eSIM & SIM Solutions Research Service helps decode these shifts, offering deep analysis to optimize product portfolios, invest in the right areas, and align your strategic priorities with the most significant megatrends in the industry.
Visit our service page for our latest coverage on the eSIM & SIM technology landscape.
Phil Sealy
Georgia Cooke