For about six years now, I have paid attention to connectivity management systems. There have been a lot of interesting deployments; some of them have been innovative, but proprietary and not certifiable from the GSMA perspective. However, we are now at the point where SGP.32 deployments can be tested and certified. As a matter of fact, a few companies have claimed to be the first, and they probably are, by their definition of what it means to be first.
Take, for example, Idemia’s recent announcement that its Idemia Secure Transactions [IST] is the “first and only” platform to offer a fully GSMA certified eSIM IoT solution for SGP.32. If I’m reading this correctly, this means they are not only doing connectivity management, but also device management. This certification confirms that IST’s eSIM IoT solution aligns with the latest industry standards for IoT, ensuring full interoperability and reinforcing the company’s leadership in secure digital transactions to mark a major milestone in IoT connectivity.
The problem, for me, is that I need an FAQ to sift through the exact message here. So, as I went through the announcement, here are a number of questions I’d like to have answered (along with some elaboration on why the questions matter).
FAQ #1: Does this mean you are competing with connectivity management solutions from Cisco Nokia and Aeris (Ericsson), etc.?
Designed to overcome the limitations and challenges of previous specifications (M2M and Consumer), the GSMA SGP.32 specification represents the next-generation standard for IoT connectivity. It simplifies large-scale IoT deployments with standardized remote SIM provisioning, reduces operational complexity and costs for enterprises deploying IoT solutions, and enables massive IoT connectivity. This specification also paves the way for new use cases for constrained IoT devices such as smart meters, industrial IoT, and asset tracking.
FAQ #2: These constrained devices are out in the field, so you are talking about going forward, correct? You can’t retroactively turn on eSIM on a remote device that has an existing SIM, correct?
Previously our eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM), a key component of our Smart Connect IoT suite, received GSMA SAS-SM certification, which followed the successful certification of our eUICC and cloud infrastructure. With this, IDEMIA delivers the first end-to-end, SGP.32-certified solution on the market.
FAQ #3: When I read about identity or device management, it often sounds exactly like connectivity management, so exactly how much or how little of each configuration manager is in your scope of services?
Here are the key points on why it matters,
- Security-first architecture, backed by global standards.
- Interoperability by design – freeing mobile operators and enterprises from vendor lock-in and the risk of proprietary limitations.
- Global scalability to match your ambitions.
- A single trusted partner offering the complete solution.
FAQ #4: So is interoperability a two-way street? Will your systems work with any other connectivity management platform and eSIM solution?
To date, a dozen industry players have selected our all-in-one SGP.32 solutions for their commercial deployments. And they have more than 40 Proofs of Concept with key players & partners.
FAQ #5: Is the “dozen” part of the 40 or separate and, if they are separate, how far along are those deployments?
Philippe De Oliveira, SVP Automotive & IoT Business Line, IDEMIA Secure Transaction explains: “Our achievement of GSMA SGP.32 certification is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation in IoT connectivity. We are enabling mobile operators and IoT service providers to future-proof their IoT deployments with a more secure, scalable, and standards-certified eSIM IoT than ever before.
FAQ #6: The companies with proprietary solutions often have dynamic configuration strategies based on performance. Do you have an API that enables them to use that input and, if yes, is that a possible attack point for hackers?
Between the deployment of 5G and the growth of IoT, an incredible amount of information is exchanged on cellular networks via smartphones, connected cars and a vast array of IoT devices. While the telecom industry innovates to provide higher throughput, reduced latency, lower power consumption, flexibility, and increased coverage for all these communications, heightened protection of our digital identities and privacy is required more than ever. Idemia is focused on securing mobile user connectivity anywhere, anytime.
FAQ#7: Are all these features being managed on a Single Pane of Glass (SPOG) and can you elaborate on the response to an attack and how does it get resolved?
- 500 mobile operators trust us (including leading mobile operators worldwide)
- 45M+ cars connected worldwide for 6 major carmakers, including Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis
- 210 eSIM platforms, live or qualified by major MNOs.
FAQ #8: Are you saying you have deployed 210 eSIM platforms? Are they being used to manage your eSIMs and not other solutions from the likes of Thales, G&D, Valid, etc.?
Mobile phones put an incredible amount of information in the palm of our hands: our schedules, our emails, the news, the internet, access to services —and this increased connectivity also comes with a need for higher levels of privacy protection. As a leading actor in the telecom field, IDEMIA supports mobile operators in the deployment of SIM/eSIM technologies to guarantee simple connectivity, and to provide access to value-added mobile services to end-users anywhere, anytime. All of our eSIM solutions are Cloud native and have been certified by the GSMA.
FAQ #9: So, is everyone on one system and partitioned or can they have their own image on a different cloud platform?
Idemia leverages their secure elements to ensure device identity and data integrity can be trusted at all times. Their complete set of digital platforms and services provides mobile operators and their partners with actionable insights and the means to remotely manage connectivity throughout a device’s lifecycle.
IDEMIA’s remote SIM provisioning solutions get, in real-time, the best connectivity service depending on location, cost, and coverage, wherever the device is deployed in the world. Devices can be manufactured locally and shipped globally, with connectivity swapping whenever it’s needed, when the device arrives at its destination or enters a new country or region, for instance.
FAQ #10: How does manufacturing locally not cause security risks?
A root of trust for every IoT security need. The IoT connectivity evolution in the 5G era opens up new use cases and business opportunities, such as private networks, network slicing, enhanced IoT security and better subscriber privacy protection.
FAQ #11: Are you treating these as feature sets as connectivity parameters?
As a trusted global partner for connectivity solutions, security, and digital services, IDEMIA provides MNOs and OEMs with products, solutions and services tailored to the IoT ecosystem needs for seamless credential distribution, physically and digitally. Our dedicated digital platforms enable them to load credentials over-the-air, and facilitate the configuration and maintenance of secure elements, whether they are removable or soldered. They also enable remote management of subscriptions and accurately measure network quality and availability of the IoT connectivity at the object level.
FAQ #12: Is there an AI component in your solution?
I will try to get some answers to my questions answered and update you when it happens. I also invite other companies to share their firsts with me.
Edited by
Erik Linask
