Introduction
As India advances into the digital age, technologies like eSIM (Embedded SIM or eUICC) are gaining significant attention. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and rapid internet penetration, the demand for eSIMs is surging nationwide. However, stringent security and regulatory requirements imposed by the Indian government pose challenges for manufacturers and OEMs looking to adopt this innovative technology. One company I came across is Kigen, which has been at the forefront of supporting India’s eSIM ecosystem. Kigen is a UK-based global leader in eSIM security, operating out of Noida since 2017.
Their mission?
To fuel India’s digital manufacturing growth by offering flexible and secure eSIM solutions for developers and manufacturers of smart embedded devices. Kigen’s recent expansion in India, especially its GSMA SAS-UP certification, is a major step toward accelerating local production and supporting manufacturers in overcoming regulatory hurdles.
What is an eSIM?
eSIM technology is revolutionizing connectivity in India and beyond. Unlike traditional SIM cards, manufacturers embed eSIMs directly into the device hardware, eliminating the need for a physical SIM slot. These smaller, more efficient SIMs can be remotely provisioned and managed, allowing users to switch carriers seamlessly without swapping SIM cards. This cuts down on plastic use, making it a greener alternative and simplifies device design for manufacturability by freeing up space for more features or larger batteries.
In India, eSIMs promise to reshape how consumers and businesses experience connectivity, offering new opportunities for telecom operators and manufacturers alike. With the ease of carrier switching and improved security, eSIMs are poised to play a key role in India’s push towards greater digitalization.
In a recent interview with Counterpoint, Kigen’s VP of Marketing, Bee Hayes-Thakore, gives her view that “eSIM is something that will have a tremendous impact on India’s economy and the way nationwide digitalization can show impact in the next few years.”
Enhanced Security: A Game-Changer for Industrial IoT
One of the key advantages of eSIMs is their enhanced security. Traditional SIM cards can be physically removed or tampered with, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access, SIM cloning, and data breaches. In contrast, eSIMs are embedded deeply into devices, providing a much higher level of physical security. They use advanced cryptographic encryption protocols to ensure secure data transmission and subscriber authentication, which is essential for industries relying on IoT, such as smart meters, industrial machinery, and connected appliances.
By leveraging these cryptographic protocols, eSIMs significantly reduce the risk of tampering and unauthorized access. This makes them the ideal choice for high-security environments, especially in India’s rapidly growing IoT sector.
Easy Configuration and Flexibility
eSIMs offer remarkable convenience for both consumers and businesses. A single eSIM can hold multiple telecom operator profiles, allowing users to switch carriers easily. For international travelers, this means bypassing expensive roaming charges by quickly switching to local telecom providers via their eSIM, all without needing to visit a store or buy a new SIM card.
For manufacturers, this flexibility extends to device design. Without the need for a physical SIM slot, manufacturers can produce sleeker, more compact devices, or utilize the extra space for additional features or larger batteries. This benefit spans across industries, from consumer electronics to industrial IoT applications like wearables, drones, and smart sensors.
The eSIM Manufacturing Opportunity in India
The shift toward eSIM is not just beneficial for consumers—it presents a massive opportunity for manufacturers, operators, and developers in India. By adopting eSIM-based designs, manufacturers can optimize device space, reduce costs, and create more efficient products. This shift goes beyond smartphones, extending into a wide range of IoT devices such as smart locks, cameras, medical equipment, and even vehicles.
For telecom operators, eSIM technology lowers logistical costs and enhances the customer experience. Consumers can switch carriers without the need for new SIM cards, boosting user experience and creating new revenue streams for operators offering eSIM-based services.
India’s eSIM Growth: The Current Landscape
India stands as one of the largest consumers of SIM cards globally. With the nationwide rollout of 5G and the growing demand for connected devices in urban, rural, and remote areas, the eSIM market is set to explode. According to Grand View Research, India’s eSIM market, which generated USD 113.1 million in 2023, is expected to reach USD 195.4 million by 2030. This growth is being driven by several factors, including government initiatives like Digital India and Make in India, which encourage the domestic production of semiconductor chips and related technologies. Kigen’s data center in Noida plays a critical role in this ecosystem, providing local manufacturers access to GSMA-certified infrastructure. Regulatory bodies like the Telecom Regulatory Authorities of India (TRAI), Telecom Engineering Center (TEC), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) define some eSIM adoption guidelines, directives, and recommendations for hardware manufacturers. However, despite this promising growth, India faces a supply bottleneck when it comes to GSMA-certified eSIM manufacturers, limiting the scale at which eSIM technology can be adopted.
Kigen: A Catalyst for India’s eSIM Ecosystem
In response to this supply gap, Kigen has made significant strides to support India’s eSIM ecosystem. Their Noida-based data center recently received GSMA Security Accreditation Scheme-UICC Production (SAS-UP) certification, a crucial accreditation that allows Indian manufacturers to scale eSIM production securely and efficiently. By offering this certification locally, Kigen is helping Indian manufacturers, telecom operators, and start-ups reduce their time to market and accelerate eSIM adoption.
Kigen’s commitment to India extends beyond manufacturing. They provide full lifecycle support, from secure on-site production to remote provisioning and subscriber management. This allows Indian manufacturers to produce high-quality eSIM modules that comply with stringent security protocols, giving them a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.
Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
While eSIM technology offers numerous advantages, it comes with its own set of challenges. Indian manufacturers must navigate complex regulatory requirements, ensure device compatibility, and implement secure remote provisioning protocols. Adhering to standards set by global authorities such as the GSMA, ETSI, and the Trusted Connectivity Alliance is essential for staying competitive in the global market.
Kigen’s expansion in India aims to help manufacturers overcome these hurdles. Kigen’s Noida data center provides end-to-end solutions for eSIM production, ensuring that manufacturers meet the highest security standards. By partnering with Kigen, manufacturers can fast-track their certification process, allowing them to focus on innovation rather than compliance.
Leveraging the data center
International companies operating in India, as well as many local players manufacture eSIM-compatible flagship devices. Instead of opting for complex certification procedures, manufacturers can partner with Kigen for quick product launches.
In India, EUMs (eUICC Manufacturers) and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) cater to eSIM demands for telecommunications and IoT industries.
EUMs manufacture, personalize, and deliver eSIM with firmware and software. They are responsible for managing cryptographic configuration, security architecture, data generation, and provisioning. On the other hand, OEMs manufacture devices like smartphones, laptops, watches, and other IoT devices. These devices incorporate SIM cards or eSIMs for connectivity.
India has only five major operators: Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, BSNL, and MTNL. Out of these four of them offer eSIM-based services, making India a unique market ripe for a vibrant ecosystem.
Customer benefits
Kigen’s SAS-UP accreditation and concurrent OS enhancements on eSIM offer unique benefits to the customers, such as:
- 6x faster data generation timelines speed up operations, enhance capacity, and reduce overall carbon emissions.
- The system’s architecture is fine-tuned to handle interruptions caused by power or connection loss. It ensures that sessions can seamlessly resume, even when multiple triggers are at play.
- Enhanced integration with logistics, manufacturing, and commercial departments of major Indian telecom operators. This not only adds to compatibility but also streamlines the process of profile downloading and management, making operations smoother for businesses.
Despite variations in product inventory or telecom circles, the processing time remains remarkably short to boost efficiency across different manufacturing setups.
The Future of eSIM in India: A Booming Market
India’s telecommunications and IoT industries are set for explosive growth, and eSIM technology will be at the heart of this transformation. By 2027, 95% of all eSIM deployments will be in consumer electronics, fueled by the introduction of eSIM-compatible smartphones, laptops, and wearables.
Moreover, with 3.7 million IoT connections powered by eSIM, India is currently ranked ninth globally in eSIM adoption. The rise of smart metering, logistics tracking, wearables, and other IoT applications will only drive this number higher, positioning India as a major player in the global eSIM landscape.
Conclusion
As India looks to unlock its digital potential, eSIM technology presents a tremendous opportunity for growth. The benefits of eSIM extend beyond consumer convenience, offering manufacturers the ability to produce more compact, secure, and efficient devices. With the support of global leaders like Kigen and the backing of government initiatives, India is well-positioned to become a global hub for eSIM production and IoT innovation.
For manufacturers and operators, partnering with Kigen offers a direct pathway to certification and market readiness, helping to streamline production and accelerate growth. The future of connectivity in India is bright, and eSIM is headed to play a pivotal role in shaping that future.
