A Sit-Down with Kristan McDonald:Exploring the New GSMA Standard, SGP.32

At OV, we pride ourselves on staying ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cellular telecommunications and IoT connectivity. Recently, we caught up with our CTO and industry expert, Kristan McDonald, to explore the implications of the GSMA's latest eSIM standard—SGP.32. This ground-breaking specification promises enhanced standardisation, heightened security, and operational efficiency, making it a central talking point at MWC25 in Barcelona.

What is the GSMA SGP.32 Standard?

SGP.32 is the GSMA's newest eSIM standard, building upon previous eSIM architectures to offer streamlined, fully automated provisioning and robust management capabilities. While maintaining proven security architectures, SGP.32 introduces critical advancements tailored specifically for large-scale IoT applications, significantly improving device lifecycle management from initial provisioning through to secure decommissioning.

Key Advantages of SGP.32

Kristan highlighted several core advantages that clearly position SGP.32 ahead of earlier eSIM frameworks:

• Simplified and Scalable Provisioning: Remote provisioning is significantly streamlined, moving away from complex legacy M2M eSIM solutions. The standard eliminates reliance on cumbersome SMS-based provisioning, hugely reducing manual overhead and enhancing efficiency.

• Advanced Device Lifecycle Automation: SGP.32 automates processes throughout the entire device lifecycle—manufacturing, provisioning, management, and eventual decommissioning—allowing enterprises greater operational control and transparency.

• Enhanced IoT Scalability: Specifically designed for IoT, SGP.32 accommodates extensive device deployments, making large-scale management simpler and more cost-effective without compromising security or reliability.

• Increased Flexibility and Operator Independence: Unlike earlier standards, SGP.32 reduces the dependency on initial operators for profile switching and puts the power in the device owner. This standardised framework enables enterprises and operators to easily and securely manage and change network profiles globally.

Why It Matters for Connectivity & Security

Kristan emphasised that seamless and efficient switching between network profiles is critical for global IoT deployments. Previous M2M eSIM implementations relied heavily on SMS interactions, restricting flexibility and efficiency due to strict operator-controlled permissions. SGP.32 eliminates these barriers through automation, enhancing global connectivity management and making the deployment of connected devices more agile and resilient.

From a security standpoint, SGP.32 preserves the robustness of existing eSIM security measures while providing greater standardisation. This means businesses can deploy IoT solutions with enhanced confidence, knowing they are backed by universally recognised and rigorous security protocols.

"SGP.32 represents a transformative step forward in eSIM technology," Kristan notes. "It is specifically crafted to streamline and simplify the complex processes traditionally associated with IoT connectivity and device management. This standard will empower end customers by providing scalable, secure, and operator-independent connectivity solutions—essentially making eSIM work smarter, not harder."

Interested in discovering how SGP.32 could enhance your IoT connectivity strategy? Keep following OV for the latest insights and detailed updates.

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