SGP.32 and What It Means for Your Business

The upcoming GSMA SGP.32 standard is set to transform the eSIM landscape, enhancing device interoperability and management on a global scale. This development promises significant improvements for businesses looking to leverage cellular IoT, unlocking new possibilities in industries such as manufacturing, smart agriculture, healthcare, and beyond.

At the heart of these innovations is the Embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM), a powerful tool for managing seamless global connectivity in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Let’s explore the evolution of eSIM technology and how SGP.32 will redefine cellular IoT connectivity solutions.

Setting the Stage with eSIMs

Before diving into SGP.32, it’s important to understand how eSIMs have revolutionised connectivity and why they’re valuable to businesses. The term "eSIM" can be somewhat confusing, as it refers to both embedded SIMs and their virtualised profiles. Initially, eSIM referred to soldered, embedded SIMs with limited connectivity flexibility. However, with the introduction of the Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC), eSIMs evolved into reprogrammable, profile-based solutions that offer greater adaptability.

Today, eSIMs refer to eUICC’s that are removable and can change profiles as needed, offering businesses several advantages, including:

• The ability to adapt connectivity while using embedded SIMs

• Support for deploying devices across multiple regions with varying coverage needs

• Increased reliability through multi-profile SIMs, offering both primary and backup profiles

• Future-proofing devices, allowing for profile changes as connectivity requirements evolve

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The Value of SGP.32 for Your Business

The cellular connectivity powering eSIMs is built on technical standards, and the upcoming SGP.32 represents a major advancement in this area. Developed to meet the growing demands of modern IoT ecosystems, SGP.32 is designed to streamline the provisioning, management, and operation of IoT devices on a global scale.

M2M eSIM + Consumer eSIM = IoT eSIM (SGP.31/.32)

The SGP.31 and SGP.32 standards combine the strengths of M2M and consumer eSIM technologies to create an optimised solution for IoT. Here are some key benefits of SGP.32 for the IoT ecosystem:

Improved Operational Efficiency: SGP.32 simplifies the management of IoT devices, reducing the operational overhead for device manufacturers and service providers by streamlining network subscription processes.

Remote Management: SGP.32 introduces remote management capabilities for IoT eSIM profiles. Unlike the consumer eSIM standard (SGP.22), which only supports local management, SGP.32 combines the remote profile management of SGP.02 (M2M eSIM) with new capabilities to provide greater control and flexibility.

Interoperability and Flexibility: One of the major challenges in the IoT space is ensuring seamless device operation across diverse platforms and networks. SGP.32 addresses this by merging the SM-DP+ (profile management server from SGP.22) with functionalities from SGP.02 to enhance interoperability across various IoT applications.

When Should You Prepare for SGP.32?

While the SGP.32 standard is still under development, with certification and availability expected in 2025, now is the time to align your connectivity goals with the long-term vision for your products. Businesses in the IoT sector should evaluate their current needs and future-proof their solutions to take full advantage of SGP.32’s benefits once it’s fully released.

Preparing your IoT strategy for this standard will ensure you stay ahead of the curve, ready to unlock new efficiencies and capabilities in the connected world? Talk to a member of our team today! 

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