Global IoT eSIM and iSIM Connections to Grow by '208% by 2028,' per Juniper Research

As we well know, the global market for eSIMs and iSIMs has been experiencing exceptional growth, to say the least. Recent developments for both eSIM and iSIM-related technologies have been representative of legitimate transformations in the realm of mobile connectivity, offering individual users and global corporations alike (and all the in-betweens, of course) unprecedented levels of scalability, flexibility and – really, what everyone relies upon – simplicity, pure and simple.

The long-story-short of it? Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, embedded and integrated SIMs, respectively, are built directly into devices, thus enabling simpler carrier-switching opportunities without physical swaps or undue vendor lock-hurdles, as well as plenty of convenient cross-industry use cases in smart devices, satellite systems, and overall less cumbersome operations.

In this vein of eSIM/iSIM market growth, the specialist forecasters and strategic analysts at Juniper Research have reported new eSIM and iSIM market data relevant for IoT developers, telcos and more. (Side note: I wrote about a similar topic recently, in terms of grand-scale eSIM platform performance; read here for that full story.)

So, Juniper Research (News - Alert). The firm has shared new data regarding which countries are leading when it comes to established eSIM IoT connections, plus a few other key takeaways I’ve compiled for y’all below:

• The top countries include the U.S. (72 million eSIM IoT connections), Japan (10 million), Germany (6.8 million), the U.K. (5.5. million) and Canada (5.4 million). Italy, France, China, India and Russia followed, in addition to Brazil, South Korea, and Spain.

• In total, Juniper Research noted 165 million eSIM IoT connections globally in 2024 (and we’re just barely halfway through March). That’s an impressive stat.

• Forecast-wise, Juniper Research calculated that these numbers may grow large enough to equal 1.1 billion total active eSIM devices and sensors this year, representing 208% market growth

• The report also assessed how the release of eSIM-only smartphones and the GSMA’s (News - Alert) SGP.32 specifications will “provide enhanced flexibility and supplemental capabilities that complement the growth of the cellular IoT market,” as well.

Furthermore, Juniper stated that major trends and factors driving this eSIM/iSIM adoption have continued including requirements for scalable automation, demand for remote service provisioning, in-factory provisioning, the transition to cloud connectivity, and how increases in 5G deployments will keep impacting the scope of these “of Things”-related use cases.

Report author Elisha Sudlow-Poole remarked: “Stakeholders must begin preparing for SGP.42 immediately, as iSIM standards become finalized. Standard-agnostic platforms that are flexible to upcoming form factors, certifications and use-case demands must be developed to capitalize on eSIM and iSIM market growth.”