Question 1

What is an eUICC SIM card and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Basically, there is no such thing as "the one eUICC SIM card". eUICC is a software component that is provided on an M2M SIM card. It allows users to manage a network operator profile remotely. This includes activating, deactivating or deleting it. This software can theoretically be provided on any type of M2M SIM - both on physical SIM cards and on an eSIM, a SIM chip permanently soldered into the end device, which makes the physical SIM on plastic superfluous. However, it cannot be retrofitted to an M2M SIM card. The further development of eUICC is particularly interesting for IoT applications with permanently installed SIM chips / eSIMs.

Question 2

When will eUICC be fully available?

Accepted Answer

It will be some time before eUICC is fully usable and rolled out for IoT end devices. The new standard is due to be adopted by the GSMA in 2024. Before that, it must be extensively tested. It is not expected to be ready for mass use until 2025 at the earliest. So far, we are assuming that this new eUICC IoT standard will establish itself quickly and in the long term due to its many advantages for IoT applications.

Question 3

How do I manage my SIM profile(s) on the eUICC?

Accepted Answer

To manage the eUICC profiles on a SIM card, users need an online portal or an API. In the past, every mobile network operator from which SIM profiles were to be used had to be connected and integrated into this. Due to this great effort, the costs for eUICC SIM cards were very high in the past. It is not yet entirely clear how exactly this will work with the new eUICC IoT standard. A portal will inevitably be needed to manage the profiles. It remains to be seen what costs will be incurred for connection, administration and the profiles themselves.

Question 4

What costs are associated with eUICC SIM cards?

Accepted Answer

The costs for using eUICC M2M SIM cards are higher than for "normal" M2M or IoT SIM cards. This is because the eUICC SIMs themselves are somewhat more expensive than IoT SIMs without eUICC technology. Another cost factor: the SIM profiles that can be used on the eUICC SIMs. To change the profiles on a SIM card, users have to purchase them from network operators in advance. These usually incur one-off costs and monthly fees. The exact amount depends on the respective network operator.

Question 5

How can I change the operator profile at eUICC?

Accepted Answer

The SIM profile on an eUICC SIM can be changed remotely. This means that the SIM card itself is not physically replaced, but the existing profile on the SIM chip is overwritten via an OTA (over the air) update. The change is triggered by the user from the management platform, which is used to manage the eUICC SIMs and profiles.

eUICC SIM: Change SIM profiles remotely

What is an eUICC SIM card?

Advantages of eUICC SIM cards

Change profile remotely

Extended storage capacity

No physical SIM exchange

Freedom to Leave

Optimize prices

Local SIM profiles

eUICC compatibility

The three eUICC standards at a glance

loT Standard
GSMA SGP.32

Consumer Standard GSMA SGP.22

m2m (automotive) Standard
GSMA SGP.02

eSIM, embedded SIM and eUICC

Frequently Asked Questions

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