What is eUICC, how it works, and 8 amazing use cases 

The Need of eUICC

Traditional SIM cards were permanently tied to a single mobile network operator (MNO). When a SIM was manufactured, it was preloaded with a fixed subscription profile that included credentials specific to the chosen operator. This binding made it difficult to switch operators or adjust connectivity as needs changed.

Traditional SIMs were inconvenient for consumers, but even more challenging for businesses. Particularly in the IoT sector, being tied to a single operator posed significant challenges. Devices deployed globally required region-specific SIMs, leading to logistical complications in managing stock and ensuring proper connectivity. If the operator’s service deteriorated or no longer met requirements, businesses had to replace the physical SIM card, a costly and time-intensive process.

Additionally, traditional SIMs lacked flexibility for dynamic environments. Enterprises couldn’t optimize connectivity based on local coverage, cost, or service quality, leading to inefficiencies in long-term IoT deployments. The inability to make remote updates or adjustments further limited their utility in scalable and future-proof IoT solutions.

In recent years, multi-IMSI technology evolved to address the above challenges, but while multi-IMSI enables remote provisioning, it is not a GMSA standard. eUICC was introduced as a standardized way to address the inflexibility and inefficiency of traditional SIMs while enabling seamless global connectivity and adaptability.

How does eUICC technology work?

There are three main elements of a Remote SIM Provisioning platform within the eUICC standard.

1. SM-DP: This stands for Subscription Management Data Preparation. It prepares, stores and protects the operator profiles, including keeping any credentials secure. It will also download and install profiles onto the eUICC when necessary.
2. SM-SR: This is the Subscription Management Secure Routing. It will make changes to the profiles on the eUICC where necessary, such as enabling or disabling profiles and deleting them if called for, and will also secure the communications between the SM-DP and the eUICC when profiles are downloaded and installed.
3. The eUICC itself: This is the SIM that contains the subscription profiles. It can be any form factor – including removable, embedded or integrated. Each profile can be considered standalone with all the SIM functionality of a traditional operator SIM.

eUICC vs. eSIM vs. embedded SIM vs. iSIM: What’s the difference?

Although the terms eUICC, eSIM, and iSIM are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Essentially, eUICC is just the technology that enables remote provisioning, while both eSIM and iSIM are SIM systems that can incorporate eUICC.

eUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card)

The eUICC refers to the software functionality embedded in a SIM that allows it to manage multiple subscription profiles remotely. It is the standard defined by GSMA for remote SIM provisioning, enabling enterprises to switch between network operators OTA. Importantly, eUICC is a capability that can be present in different SIM form factors, including traditional removable SIMs, embedded SIMs (eSIMs), or integrated SIMs (iSIMs).

Key characteristics:

• Remote profile management: Supports downloading, activating, and switching profiles over the air.
• Flexibility: Works across various SIM hardware types.
• Standardized: Adheres to GSMA specifications for global interoperability.

eSIM

According to the official GSMA definition, an eSIM is any SIM card capable of being reprogrammed remotely using eUICC technology. An eSIM can have any form factor—traditional plastic SIM, embedded SIM, or iSIM.

Unlike traditional SIM cards, which are fixed to a single operator, an eSIM allows multiple operator profiles to be stored on a device and switched remotely. While only one profile can be active at a time, users can change operators without needing to replace a physical SIM. 

Key characteristics:

• Remote SIM provisioning: Enables downloading and switching operator profiles over the air.
• Supports multiple profiles: Stores multiple operator subscriptions on a single device.
• Universal standard: The only globally recognized specification for remote SIM provisioning.
• Enables smaller devices: Supports compact form factors for wearables, tablets, and IoT devices.

Embedded SIM

Embedded SIMs come in various form factors, including MFF2 (soldered directly onto the device) and integrated chip designs. MFF2, the most common embedded format, is widely used in industrial and IoT applications due to its durability and security. Unlike traditional SIMs, embedded SIMs are permanently attached to the device and not removable.

Key characteristics:

• Multiple form factors: Available as MFF2 or integrated SIMs.
• Enhanced durability: More resistant to environmental factors like heat and vibration.
• Improved security: Harder to remove or tamper with compared to traditional SIM cards.
• Optimized for IoT: Designed for long-term deployments in connected devices. 

iSIM (Integrated SIM)

The iSIM embeds SIM functionality directly into the device’s main chipset. This eliminates the need for a separate SIM card or module altogether, offering even greater space and cost efficiency. Modern iSIMs are equipped with eUICC technology, allowing them to be remotely provisioned. But in principle an iSIM might use traditional UICC technology and be tied to a single operator.

Key characteristics:

• Chip-level integration: Combines SIM capabilities with other processing functions on a single chip.
• Improved efficiency: Reduces power consumption and manufacturing complexity.
• Suited for constrained devices: Ideal for small IoT devices, such as sensors and wearables, where size and energy constraints are critical.

Summary of Differences

Top business uses of eUICC SIM cards

eUICC is commonly used in consumer mobile devices, and has made cellular service provision more convenient and flexible for consumers. However, perhaps its biggest impact has been in business settings. eUICC SIM cards are widely adopted in industries and use cases that demand flexibility, scalability, and remote management of connectivity:

1. IoT deployments: IoT devices, such as smart meters, industrial sensors, and connected appliances, often operate in diverse locations with varying network requirements. eUICC SIMs allow enterprises to switch operators remotely, ensuring reliable connectivity and optimizing costs without needing physical access to devices.
2. Automotive industry: Connected cars rely on eUICC technology to support services like telematics, infotainment, emergency calling (eCall), and over-the-air updates. With eUICC, automakers can preinstall a single SIM in vehicles and activate operator profiles specific to a country or region as needed, simplifying global logistics and enhancing user experience.
3. Smart cities: Infrastructures like smart lighting, traffic management systems, and connected waste bins require robust and adaptable connectivity. eUICC SIMs enable these systems to switch between networks for better coverage, service reliability, and cost efficiency.
4. Logistics and asset tracking: For businesses that manage fleets or track assets across international borders, eUICC SIMs eliminate the need to swap SIM cards manually. They ensure uninterrupted tracking and communication regardless of geographic location by enabling automatic operator switching.
5. Healthcare: Connected healthcare devices, such as remote monitoring equipment and wearable medical devices, benefit from eUICC SIMs by maintaining consistent and secure connectivity. This ensures reliable data transmission even when patients travel or relocate to areas with different network operators.
6. Consumer electronics: Devices like smartwatches, tablets, and laptops increasingly incorporate eUICC technology. This allows manufacturers to deliver global connectivity out of the box, with users able to activate and switch between operator plans without needing to visit a store or change physical SIMs.
7. Energy and utilities: Smart grid systems and energy meters deployed in remote locations use eUICC SIMs to maintain reliable network connections. The ability to provision connectivity profiles over the air ensures uninterrupted service and simplifies network management.
8. Retail and payment terminals: Point-of-sale (POS) systems, kiosks, and ATMs equipped with eUICC SIMs can switch to the best available network for secure and consistent operation. This is particularly useful in remote or mobile retail environments.

What are the benefits of using an eUICC SIM?

Benefits for consumers

eSIM offers the following benefits for consumers:

• Seamless carrier switching: Consumers can switch mobile network operators (MNOs) without needing to replace a physical SIM card. This makes it easier to take advantage of better plans or coverage.
• Global roaming convenience: Travelers benefit from eUICC-enabled devices by downloading a local operator’s profile instead of relying on expensive roaming charges.
• Device compatibility and flexibility: Users can store multiple operator profiles on a single device and activate them as needed, simplifying connectivity management across regions.
• Faster setup and activation: New devices can be activated instantly over the air (OTA), eliminating the need to visit a carrier store or wait for SIM card shipments.

Benefits for IoT and business use cases

For businesses and IoT use cases, benefits include:

• Scalability for global deployments: Businesses with IoT devices in multiple countries can manage connectivity remotely, eliminating the need for region-specific SIM cards.
• Regulatory compliance: Some countries, such as Brazil, impose limits on how long a device can roam before requiring a local profile. With eUICC, enterprises can provision a local profile remotely, ensuring uninterrupted service.
• Cost optimization: Enterprises can negotiate better pricing by switching operators when needed, avoiding expensive roaming charges and benefiting from competitive rates.
• Operational efficiency: Remote SIM provisioning simplifies logistics by eliminating the need to physically swap SIMs, reducing truck rolls and maintenance costs.
• Network resilience: Devices can automatically switch to a stronger network when coverage issues arise, improving service reliability for mission-critical applications.
• Security: eUICC SIMs support encryption and secure OTA updates, ensuring compliance with industry standards for data protection and cybersecurity.
• Future-proof connectivity: As network technologies evolve (e.g., 5G, LPWAN), businesses can update connectivity profiles without replacing hardware, extending device lifespans.

What challenges are there with eUICC SIMs?

Although eUICC SIMs solve some problems that come with using an eSIM, they also open up additional challenges, in particular adding complexity. Most eUICCs are registered to a specific SM-SR platform which has existing relationships, and new profiles might not be easily integrated without heavy costs. Additionally, every time you want to add mobile network operators and their profiles to your eUICC, you’ll need to partner with them individually, creating multiple contracts, SLA, management services and agreements, and stay on top of each of these individually moving forward.

There are also license fees associated with using an eUICC SIM, and the data charges can be pretty heavy when you consider that you need to download complete profiles every time you want to make a change. In particular for LPWAN devices, the one-time cost of downloading the data profile can be more than the devices generate in a year. When you multiply this by thousands of devices, the costs can become tough to swallow.

floLIVE: Using a multi-IMSI SIM approach with eUICC

One way to reduce the costs and complexity of using eUICC, is to work with a multi-IMSI provider for connectivity services in the first profile of your eUICC-compliant eSIM. Within a single profile, you can access dozens of profiles, each of which works like a single MNO profile. Switching IMSIs can be done OTA, but without the heavy data costs of downloading an entire profile, as you only download the IMSI.  

floLIVE offers a complete connectivity management platform for any SIM form factor, and you can view and manage all of your IMSIs from a single portal, without the complexity of making agreements with multiple vendors. You can switch IMSIs whenever you choose – without needing to reach out to the operators.

Learn more about Flolive