“We’ve highlighted this concept of eSIM orchestration as one of the top ten issues in IoT for 2025.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
In our recent Global IoT, Simplified webinar, Marcus Lindblom-Tornqvist of Aeris and Matt Hatton of Transforma Insights explored how unified eSIM deployments are transforming enterprise connectivity strategies and why enterprises can’t afford to wait to adapt.
Global IoT deployments have long been hampered by hidden costs, operational delays, and fragmented connectivity strategies. New GSMA standards, SGP.31 and SGP.32, address these barriers head-on, unlocking new flexibility for large-scale IoT rollouts and improving operational agility.
“Connectivity has always been one of the trickiest components of global IoT deployments—and SGP.31/.32 directly address that pain point.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
At Aeris, we see firsthand how SGP.32 is already reshaping enterprise deployments, giving businesses the tools to scale globally while maintaining local control and compliance.
What are SGP.31/.32?
Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM (embedded SIMs) are built directly into devices and can be provisioned remotely. The new SGP.31/.32 standards expands these capabilities, streamlining remote provisioning and enabling localized connections tailored to IoT use cases.
- SGP.31 applies to consumer devices, streamlining remote SIM provisioning for personal electronics.
- SGP.32 focuses on IoT and enterprise devices, providing flexible, localized connectivity tailored to IoT deployments across industries.
“SGP.32 makes remote SIM provisioning more usable across more devices—and it democratizes access to local connectivity.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
Here are some examples of how eSIM technology offers advantages for IoT deployments:
- Simplified manufacturing: A single SKU can serve global markets, eliminating the complexity of regional SIM variants.
- Regulatory flexibility: Remote provisioning supports compliance with local telecom requirements.
- Reduced latency: Connecting to local networks enables faster response times, critical for many business applications.
- Dynamic connectivity management: Enterprises can switch carriers remotely to optimize performance and costs.
Why Enterprises are Shifting to eSIM
Enterprises face rising connectivity costs, growing regulatory pressures, and the need to rapidly scale devices globally. ESIM provides clear operational advantages:
- Simplified manufacturing: One SKU serves global markets, reducing supply chain complexity
- Regulatory flexibility: Remote provisioning ensures local compliance without physical SIM swaps
- Lower latency: Local connections enable faster, more reliable performance
- Cost optimization: Enterprises can dynamically switch carriers to reduce costs and improve uptime
These pressures are now influencing enterprise RFPs, with eSIM capabilities quickly becoming a standard requirement.
The Rise of eSIM Orchestration
To manage the rise in complexity of IoT connectivity, especially for large-scale eSIM deployments, a new provider role has emerged: the eSIM Orchestrator. These platforms centralize the key features of eSIM deployments, making it easier to manage multiple profiles and connectivity across multiple operators, ensuring seamless device operation regardless of geographical location.
To support this shift, connectivity management platforms are evolving to provide shared visibility into network usage and streamlining profile handoffs across networks and borders. This collaborative approach enables more efficient operations and more agile connectivity solutions across the IoT ecosystem.
At Aeris, we go beyond traditional connectivity by providing eSIM Orchestration built into our connectivity management platform, giving enterprises access to the tools needed to simplify global deployments.
Shifting Dynamics in the IoT Ecosystem
The introduction of eSIM is driving significant change in the roles of traditional connectivity providers and MVNOs, who may need to adapt their business models to remain competitive. At the same time, eSIM demands greater cooperation among carriers, potentially opening the door to new partnerships, integrated offerings, and emerging market segments.
“eSIM orchestration introduces a new and separate role in the ecosystem—and with it, new opportunities for innovation.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
This evolution is also giving rise to specialized players who focus on orchestration, provisioning, and lifecycle management. As the market matures, new business models and niche services are expected to flourish.
Enterprise Adoption and Strategic Considerations
Enterprises are beginning to prioritize eSIM capabilities in RFPs, a clear signal that flexible, future-ready connectivity is now a business imperative. With eSIMs, large-scale global rollouts become easier to manage, and device fleets can remain adaptable to shifting regulatory and operational needs.
“We’re seeing more and more need to localize connectivity within a market—not just for performance, but to meet new compliance and critical infrastructure requirements.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
However, eSIMs may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. Enterprises should assess their specific use cases, considering factors such as connectivity duration, regional variability, and the frequency with which they may need to update or change device carrier profiles, before committing to a full deployment strategy.
Looking Ahead: The Future of IoT Connectivity
The potential of eSIMs extends even further when paired with technologies like 5G, enabling innovations such as network slicing and edge computing. As SGP.31/.32 standards-based systems are deployed by carriers over the next few years, adoption in IoT markets is expected to accelerate, positioning eSIMs as the dominant mode of IoT connectivity.
Still, challenges remain. These include up-front implementation costs, infrastructure readiness, and inertia among traditional telecom stakeholders. Enterprises should prepare now to navigate this transition smoothly.
“We expect SGP.32 to become the dominant remote SIM provisioning standard, and for eSIM to account for about 40% of all cellular IoT connections in the next few years.”
—Matt Hatton, Co-founder, Transforma Insights
Final Thoughts
The eSIM revolution marks a pivotal moment in the IoT landscape. It offers a smarter, more scalable way to manage connectivity. SGP.31/.32 further unlocks global deployments, reduces complexity, and lays the groundwork for future innovation.
Now is the time for enterprises to definitely explore eSIM options and partnerships. Staying informed about evolving standards, orchestration tools, and market dynamics will ensure your IoT strategy is ready for what’s next.
This was one of the key takeaways from the webinar: choosing the right eSIM partner matters as much as leveraging the technology itself. Aeris proudly partners with businesses to build critical IoT services. We offer innovative IoT solutions for both eSIM global connectivity and revolutionary new cybersecurity tailored to IoT deployments. Interested? Schedule a meeting with one of our IoT experts.
Watch the full webinar here.
