What Is an eUICC SIM?
An eUICC SIM for smart devices is a physical chip embedded in a device that allows for the remote, over-the-air (OTA) management of multiple cellular network profiles. It allows users to switch between network providers without physically changing the SIM card.
This technology offers flexibility for IoT and other connected devices by providing seamless, remote management, global connectivity, and the ability to adapt to different network conditions.
Key features:
- Remote profile management: Network operator profiles can be downloaded, updated, enabled, or disabled remotely via software, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards.
- Multi-carrier support: A single eUICC can store multiple network profiles from different carriers, allowing for easy switching based on location or other needs.
- Global connectivity: eUICC technology simplifies global deployments by allowing devices to switch to local networks when they move to a different country.
- Enhanced security: eUICC solutions provide strong encryption and authentication to protect sensitive data transmitted between devices and networks.
- Long-term flexibility: For long-lasting devices, eUICC provides the ability to adapt to changing business needs or network conditions over the device’s lifespan without requiring physical intervention.
- Single SKU: Instead of producing and managing different SIM configurations for each market or carrier, manufacturers can ship the same device worldwide.
Evolution of SIM Technology for Smart Devices
Traditional SIM cards originated as removable chips linked to a single carrier, requiring physical replacement to switch providers or update connectivity options. These physical SIMs evolved into smaller formats (mini, micro, and nano) reflecting device miniaturization, but their underlying limitations remained.
The advent of eSIM and, subsequently, eUICC SIM technology directly addresses these constraints. Based on global standards defined by the GSMA, eUICC SIMs now offer profile switching, remote provisioning, and long-term adaptability. This evolution supports the smart device industry’s need for continuous network access, especially for devices deployed in remote, mobile, or hard-to-access environments, such as asset trackers, connected cars, and industrial sensors.
Key Features of eUICC for Smart Devices
Remote Profile Management
eUICC SIMs introduce the capability for over-the-air remote profile management, an advantage over traditional alternatives. Users and device operators can remotely download, activate, deactivate, and delete carrier profiles on the SIM without physical intervention. This capability reduces downtime, eliminates the need for device recalls, and streamlines the onboarding process for large device fleets.
With remote profile management, businesses achieve greater operational efficiency when deploying smart devices at scale. Configuration changes, carrier migrations, and troubleshooting can all be performed centrally. This remote flexibility is particularly valuable in industries requiring dynamic updates or devices deployed in locations that are physically difficult to access for maintenance or SIM swaps.
Multi-Carrier Support
Another key feature of eUICC SIMs is multi-carrier support. Instead of locking a device to a single network, eUICC SIMs allow for multiple carrier profiles to be stored and used as needed. This enables smart devices to switch between network operators, optimizing connectivity and often reducing costs by leveraging the most appropriate carrier for a given location or use case.
Multi-carrier support is vital for maintaining reliable connectivity across regions or in applications where network performance varies significantly. For device manufacturers and enterprises, this removes negotiation and logistics barriers associated with regional SIMs, supporting rapid expansion into new markets and ensuring optimal network coverage regardless of geography.
Global Connectivity
eUICC SIMs are designed for global connectivity, effectively ending the constraints of country-specific or region-locked SIM cards. Devices equipped with eUICC can operate worldwide by provisioning local carrier profiles on demand. This is crucial for industries like logistics, travel, automotive, and consumer electronics, where devices routinely cross borders and need uninterrupted access to local networks.
By enabling smart devices to dynamically select and switch to the best available network anywhere in the world, eUICC SIMs reduce roaming charges and improve service quality. Enterprises managing international fleets or services benefit from single-SKU logistics, and simplified profile management for users or IoT assets globally.
Enhanced Security
Enhanced security is built into the eUICC SIM architecture. These SIMs use hardware-level security protocols, cryptographic authentication, and secure profile management techniques to prevent tampering or unauthorized access. Each carrier profile downloaded or managed on the SIM follows strict GSMA standards for data integrity and encryption.
Security enhancements extend to remote management operations, where only authorized entities can make changes to SIM profiles. This approach mitigates the risk of SIM cloning, fraud, and other common threats associated with legacy SIM cards. For enterprises deploying devices for sensitive applications—such as financial services, healthcare, or critical infrastructure—these security upgrades are indispensable.
Long-Term Flexibility
Long-term flexibility is inherent in the eUICC SIM’s design. Devices can continue adapting their connectivity well after deployment, extending the useful life of the hardware. As network operators merge, upgrade technologies, or alter terms, eUICC-equipped devices can switch networks or profiles accordingly, without the cost or complexity of physical SIM swaps.
For smart device manufacturers, this translates into future-proofing products, reducing support burdens, and ensuring continued compliance with evolving connectivity regulations or customer requirements. Over the lifecycle of a device, eUICC SIMs significantly lower total cost of ownership by simplifying updates, migrations, and end-of-life management.
Single SKU
eUICC SIMs enable a single SKU (stock keeping unit) strategy for global device distribution. Instead of producing and managing different SIM configurations for each market or carrier, manufacturers can ship the same device worldwide. Local network profiles can then be provisioned over-the-air based on region, customer, or deployment needs.
This significantly simplifies supply chains, reduces inventory complexity, and lowers logistics costs. A single SKU approach also accelerates time to market by removing the need for market-specific variants, making it easier to scale IoT deployments and manage global product lifecycles with uniform hardware.
Related content: Read our guide to eUICC vs eSIM
Notable eUICC SIM Providers for Smart Devices
1. floLive

floLIVE delivers a standards-based eUICC connectivity solution built for large-scale, global IoT deployments that need flexibility, resilience, and centralized control across the full device lifecycle.
Key features include:
- eUICC approach supporting the major SIM form factors: From removable (plastic) SIMs to embedded (MFF2) eUICCs and iSIMs (subject to module and chipset compatibility). This lets OEMs and enterprises standardize on a single connectivity architecture across different device designs and product lines.
- Alignment with SIM Provisioning (RSP): To ensure interoperability and long-term readiness, floLIVE aligns with GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) across deployment models, including M2M, consumer, and IoT use cases, supporting specifications such as SGP.01/02, SGP.21/22, and SGP.31/32.
- CMP aggregator: Managing multiple eUICC profiles, operators, and platforms can add operational overhead—so floLIVE offers a CMP Aggregator that provides a single pane of glass to manage connectivity profiles across regions, operators, and SIM management platforms. This simplifies day-to-day lifecycle operations, monitoring, and policy enforcement at scale.
- Patented technology to encapsulate multi-IMSI capabilities within an eUICC profile, combining the reach and redundancy of multi-IMSI connectivity with the lifecycle flexibility and standards-based control of eUICC. The result is optimized coverage and resilience—without compromising a GSMA-aligned eUICC management model.

2. Hologram

Hologram provides eUICC-enabled SIM cards designed for global IoT deployments. These SIMs support remote profile updates and offer access to carriers across most countries. Hologram’s architecture includes dual independent mobile cores for improved network reliability, minimizing downtime through automatic failover.
Key features:
- Global multi-network access: Supports connectivity across over 550 carriers in 190 countries with automatic signal optimization.
- Remote profile management: Allows over-the-air switching of cellular profiles, eliminating the need for physical SIM replacements.
- Outage protection: Dual mobile cores enable fallback during outages, restoring connectivity within minutes.
- Broad network compatibility: Offers support for 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, LTE-M, and NB-IoT networks.
- Device-agnostic design: Compatible with any device not locked to a single carrier.
- Industrial-grade options: Available in embedded and ruggedized SIM variants for use in harsh environments.
3. 1NCE

1NCE offers eUICC-capable SIMs through its “Freedom to Switch” feature, allowing remote operator profile management to avoid vendor lock-in. Its SIMs are designed for long-term IoT deployments with a one-time 10-year plan.
Key features:
- Remote profile switching: eUICC-enabled SIMs allow for changing operator profiles over-the-air to maintain flexibility.
- Long-term subscription model: 10-year connectivity with a one-time payment, including 500 MB of data and 250 SMS.
- Global network access: Operates in over 170 countries across all major cellular standards, including 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE-M, NB-IoT, and is 5G-ready.
- Device and network management tools: Includes a REST API, customer portal, OpenVPN support, and the 1NCE OS for AWS-based device integration.
- Ruggedized SIM options: Industrial and embedded SIM formats available with enhanced durability and solderable versions for high-reliability use cases.
4. Wireless Logic

Wireless Logic delivers eSIM solutions for global IoT deployments, offering compatibility with a range of cellular technologies and form factors. Their platform supports remote SIM provisioning using major GSMA standards (SGP.02, SGP.22, SGP.32) and integrates with embedded and integrated SIMs (eSIM, iSIM).
Key features:
- Remote SIM provisioning: Supports GSMA-compliant RSP standards, enabling secure, over-the-air profile management
- Multi-profile and multi-IMSI support: Allows devices to switch between multiple network identities for improved resilience and broader coverage.
- Global coverage compliance: Provides access even in regions with permanent roaming restrictions through local profile provisioning.
- Flexible form factor support: Works with removable SIMs (2FF, 3FF, 4FF), embedded eSIMs, and integrated iSIMs.
- Centralized management tools: Offers APIs and automation capabilities for scalable deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle control.
5. Tele2 IoT

Tele2 IoT offers eUICC-enabled SIM solutions to support global deployments across diverse industries. Their SIM platform supports automated, rule-based profile downloads, operator switching, and compliance with GSMA’s latest remote SIM provisioning standards (SGP.02, SGP.22, SGP.32).
Key features:
- Remote operator switching: Enables over-the-air profile changes without replacing the SIM, reducing lock-in and manual intervention.
- Support for SGP.32: Uses the latest GSMA standard for dynamic, scalable SIM behavior and enhanced automation.
- Territory-based profile management: Automatically configures SIMs based on geography for compliance and performance optimization.
- Flexible SIM types: Offers commercial, industrial, automotive, and embedded SIMs tested for global activation.
- Partner ecosystem: Sources SIMs from top-tier suppliers like IDEMIA, ensuring high security and provisioning reliability.
Use Cases for eUICC in Smart Devices
eUICC SIM technology supports a broad range of smart device applications that benefit from remote management, flexible connectivity, and reduced physical intervention. Below are some of the most relevant use cases across industries:
- IoT device fleets: eUICC allows centralized control over thousands of deployed IoT devices, such as smart meters, industrial sensors, and asset trackers, without on-site SIM replacement. Operators can update network profiles over the air to maintain connectivity as coverage or business requirements change.
- Connected vehicles: Automotive OEMs use eUICC to manage global connectivity for telematics, navigation, diagnostics, and infotainment systems. Vehicles can switch to local carriers when crossing borders to maintain service continuity and regulatory compliance.
- Wearables and consumer electronics: eUICC enables smaller device designs in smartwatches, tablets, and fitness trackers by removing the physical SIM slot. Users can activate service and change carriers without visiting service centers.
- Logistics and asset tracking: Logistics devices frequently operate across countries. eUICC supports local connectivity in multiple regions, enabling continuous tracking and communication without roaming-related gaps.
- Smart cities and infrastructure: Traffic sensors, surveillance systems, and public kiosks require long-term connectivity with minimal maintenance. eUICC allows devices to stay connected throughout their lifecycle without manual SIM replacement.
- Healthcare and medical devices: Remote patient monitors and emergency alert systems rely on continuous and secure connectivity. eUICC supports carrier flexibility and network control aligned with healthcare compliance requirements.
- Manufacturing and Industry 4.0: Connected machinery and monitoring systems in smart factories depend on stable network access. eUICC allows remote
Conclusion
eUICC SIM technology is a foundational enabler for the next generation of smart, connected devices. Its ability to support remote provisioning, global carrier switching, and long-term operational flexibility aligns with the growing demands of IoT, automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics applications. By decoupling connectivity from physical infrastructure and enabling centralized control, eUICC reduces operational complexity, improves uptime, and future-proofs deployments.
The primary difference is that eSIM is the hardware form factor, while eUICC is the software technology that enables remote management. An eSIM is a non-removable chip soldered into a device. In contrast, eUICC is the operating system on that chip that allows enterprises to store, delete, and switch multiple carrier profiles over-the-air.
The most critical GSMA standards for IoT are SGP.02 for legacy M2M and the newer SGP.32 for modern IoT deployments. While SGP.02 relies on complex operator integrations and SMS, the SGP.32 standard simplifies the process by using a server-driven “push” model. This allows for bulk provisioning without the need for manual user intervention or complex backend coordination.
Enterprises choose eUICC because it enables a “single-SKU” strategy and eliminates the need for physical SIM swaps. By supporting over-the-air (OTA) profile updates, eUICC allows a single hardware build to comply with local roaming regulations globally. This significantly reduces operational friction, prevents vendor lock-in, and ensures long-term connectivity resilience for devices deployed in remote locations.
When comparing eUICC providers, evaluate their support for the SGP.32 standard, their global roaming footprint, and their management API capabilities. Ensure the provider offers a carrier-agnostic platform to avoid long-term lock-in. You should also verify their ability to handle automated failover and “bootstrap” profiles, which are essential for maintaining connectivity during initial device deployment in international markets.