eSIM provisioning is pivotal in ensuring IoT devices have seamless connectivity from the onset.
As the demand for cellular IoT intensifies, understanding the nuances of eSIM deployment becomes crucial for enterprises to streamline their processes.
Thales Instant Connect
More and more consumer and IoT devices are eSIM-compliant. To date, these devices have to rely on some form of primary connectivity (e.g. WiFi, smartphone tethering via Bluetooth, bootstrap...) before activating a full mobile subscription.
eSIM for IoT connectivity
With the demand for cellular IoT growing fast, enterprises need to scale up their capabilities by leveraging eSIM technology to streamline IoT deployment.
Currently, there are two main channels for deploying eSIM devices into the market:
#1. Consumer devices deployed without a mobile subscription loaded inside the eSIM.
When the end user purchases and powers up the device, it will not be connected to a network. The end user needs to connect the device to Wi-Fi or another device using Bluetooth and then download a mobile subscription to the eSIM.
#2. IoT devices with a mobile subscription preloaded.
In contrast, many IoT devices need cellular IoT connectivity from their first boot without human intervention.
For this reason, these devices are usually deployed with a mobile subscription preloaded (sometimes known as bootstrap) in the IoT eSIM. When the device is powered up, it will be connected to the cellular network and ready for use.
The main problem with the bootstrap solution is that the concerned IoT enterprise will likely end up managing multiple eSIM SKUs (Stock Keeping Units), one for each mobile network operator it uses.
There's more.
At the point of manufacture, the enterprise operating the IoT device needs to know where it will be deployed and preload the corresponding mobile subscription. This limits flexibility and introduces delays to the manufacturing process. Management of multiple SKUs also makes logistics more complex.
The solution: eSIM provisioning with Thales Instant Connect.
Introducing Thales Instant Connect
Thales Instant Connect (TIC) is a versatile solution built by Thales, specifically for eSIM devices. It's beneficial to both Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and device manufacturers in Consumer and IoT markets.
For manufacturers, TIC minimizes the eSIM stock-keeping units (SKUs) during device production. Consequently, they can produce globally compatible devices, vital for quickly responding to business opportunities wherever they appear.
For MNOs, TIC is a cost-effective method to manage connectivity use cases, particularly as a large number of devices require long-term connectivity with minimal data usage. Through TIC, MNOs are well-positioned to become the preferred connectivity providers for such devices.
Thales Instant Connect for IOT OEMs and Service Providers
Creating devices with varying eSIM SKUs based on the end MNO or customer can complicate manufacturing and logistics processes, making the commercialization of devices slow and dependent on the MNO.
This issue is now addressed with Thales eSIM equipped with TIC - a unified eSIM SKU solution. In essence, the eSIM includes an initial cellular connectivity service that activates immediately out-of-the-box, offering global coverage. This service is initial because it facilitates the download of the final MNO chosen for the device.
With this, device makers enjoy the simplicity of a single eSIM SKU and the flexibility to defer the selection of the final connectivity provider until after the device's manufacture, extending through the deployment process.
Thales Instant Connect for Consumer OEMs
Generally, smartphones and other consumer devices equipped with eSIM lack cellular connectivity upon their initial power on. These devices require an MNO profile download via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to establish a cellular connection.
The introduction of Thales' TIC changes this scenario. With TIC, the devices gain immediate out-of-the-box cellular connectivity, without end-user involvement. TIC provisions this initial cellular connection post device power-on, eliminating the initial need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Owing to this immediate connectivity, devices can swiftly download the MNO profile post power-on, enabling the end-user to start utilizing their connected device instantly.
This process ensures a smooth eSIM connectivity activation journey for the end-user and enables device manufacturers to deliver a superior user experience to their customers.
Thales Instant Connect for Mobile Network Operators
![Thales Instant Connect for Mobile Network Operators](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/database/assets/images/2024-02/tic-for-mnos.jpg )
eSIM technology is catalyzing cellular connectivity for millions of IoT devices. This trend presents an excellent opportunity for MNOs to deliver connectivity services for new use cases.
With the introduction of the TIC solution, Thales offers an inventive method for MNOs to seize this opportunity. The solution significantly cuts down on the network resources required to provide cellular connectivity to millions of devices. The resulting savings in resources allows MNOs to present competitive propositions to IoT service providers, keeping them prepared with adequate resources to support future business ventures.
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A multi-awarded mobile connectivity solution
Thales Instant Connect won several industry awards in the past years.
2020
![Image](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/gemalto/Shortlisted-31200x627.jpg)
In January 2020, Thales Instant Connect was nominated at the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards 2020, the most prestigious award in the mobile industry, among the five finalists in the category "Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough".
![IOT breakthrough](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/database/assets/images/2024-02/IOT-award-tic-2020.jpg)
Besides, Thales earned the prestigious "Global IoT Innovation Vendor of the Year" award in 2020 from the IoT Breakthrough Award program for its entire eSIM Management offer, including Thales Instant Connect.
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Juniper Research has been awarded the Future Digital Award 2019 for our solution.
- Thales Instant Connect has won the IoT Global Award 2019 for Connected Health or Wearable Technology.
The IoT Global Awards reward the most innovative IoT applications, or the apps that are most valuable or beneficial (to both user & provider) and which advance the cause of the Internet of Things.
![tel_report_becham_connecting_wireless_data_thumbnail tel_report_becham_connecting_wireless_data_thumbnail](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/database/assets/images/2022-10/tel_report_becham_connecting_wireless_data_thumbnail.png)
Connecting Wireless Data Deploying IoT Everywhere
Don’t miss the latest report of Beecham on the acceptance of eSIM in the IoT Market, based on survey of 412 IoT Suppliers and Solution Providers.
Download the reportDossier
4 ways to activate eSIM-capable consumer IoT Devices
i. QR code / ii. By-default SM-DP+ address / iii. Root Discovery Service / iv. Initial connectivity.
Industry Analyst Recognition
![Future Digital Awards 2022](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/database/assets/images/2022-10/DIS-MCS-SmartCities-IoTInnovation-Juniper-Award-thumbnail.png)
Thales DIS has been awarded Platinum Winner of the eSIM Innovation of the Year Award by Juniper Research for our Smart Profile Matcher
Find out about our smart approach for maximising the successful download of profiles for all eSIM capable devices on the market, from the moment they are launched.
Read more on Thales Smart Profile Matcher
Providing flexible connectivity by design, eSIM Management is a key component of the digital customer journey and the cellular IoT.
Read the report
Thales Instant Connect, a patented client-server solution, brings simplicity and costs optimization with an ‘out of the box’ experience for eSIM enabled devices. As a result, OEMs and service providers in the IoT market segments will be able to manufacture and deploy eSIM devices more quickly and cost-effectively.
Juniper Research grants Thales Instant Connect a Future Digital Award for Technology and Innovation 2019
![Future Digital Awards 2022](/https/www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/database/assets/images/2022-10/DIS-MCS-SmartCities-IoTInnovation-Juniper-Award-thumbnail.png)
Thales DIS has been awarded Platinum Winner of the eSIM Innovation of the Year Award by Juniper Research for our Smart Profile Matcher
Find out about our smart approach for maximising the successful download of profiles for all eSIM capable devices on the market, from the moment they are launched.
Read more on Thales Smart Profile Matcher