eSIM deployments for cellular IoT: A complete guide

The hardware eSIM, along with eUICC software, is changing the way organizations approach device deployments. Rather than a removable component, the eSIM is embedded in the device and the eUICC allows network operators to send SIM profiles over the air (OTA) without needing physical access to the device. Manufacturers and IoTproviders are making big claims about the efficacy of eSIM and its myriad possibilities for IoT. But practically, what does an IoT deployment with eSIM look like?

First, let's take a closer look at the benefits the eSIM can offer to IoT deployments.

Recommended reading: eUICC: What it is and how it works

Key takeaways

• eSIM with eUICC enables over-the-air provisioning, allowing devices to ship without knowing their final destination and receive network profiles remotely after deployment.
• eSIM devices offer lower power consumption, compact sealed designs, and better durability for outdoor, underground, or underwater IoT applications compared to traditional removable SIMs.
• Smart agriculture, micromobility, and fleet management deployments benefit from eSIM because devices can be manufactured in single batches and reconfigured remotely as they move between regions.
• Carrier-agnostic eSIM providers like Hologram allow enterprises to switch networks globally and download new carrier profiles without physical device access or time-consuming negotiations.

What are the advantages of eSIM for IoT?

The key advantages of eSIM for IoT include remote over-the-air provisioning, better scalability without physical SIM swaps, increased device flexibility with lower power consumption, and a streamlined supply chain that eliminates sourcing bottlenecks.

Remote (OTA) provisioning flow

The ability to send devices into the field first and provision them with the needed SIM profile later is one of the biggest advantages of eUICC-enabled eSIMs. When you don't know where your devices will end up, provisioning them prior to deployment becomes tricky.

Connected cars illustrate this well. When a vehicle rolls off the assembly line, it's difficult to predict whether it will ship across the state or around the globe. OTA provisioning eliminates that manufacturing bottleneck.

Better scalability

With eUICC-enabled eSIMs, companies can scale their IoT projects more easily because they no longer have to plan for SIM card trade-outs, which can be costly. Every device contains the same hardware and software combination, yet it's adaptable to the network environment where it ends up operating.

More flexibility

eSIM delivers flexibility advantages over traditional SIMs:

• Lower power consumption: eSIM devices typically enable extended battery life, especially on LTE Cat-M or NB-IoT protocols
• Compact form factor: Devices are typically smaller without a SIM tray
• Better durability: Sealed designs make eSIM devices ideal for outdoor, underground, or underwater deployments

Streamlined supply chain

Using eSIMs can greatly simplify your supply chain. Sourcing and incorporating traditional SIMs is a physical step in the process that can be eliminated with the addition of eUICC-enabled eSIMs. Because you can send out the needed SIM profile to the devices after they're deployed, your global supply chain can flow without interruption.

Recommended reading: What is an eSIM and how is it used?

Examples of IoT enterprise deployment with eSIM/eUICC

To see these benefits in action, let's take a closer look at what IoT deployments with eUICC-enabled eSIMs might look like with Hologram in a couple of different use cases.

Deployment in smart agriculture

Smart agriculture deployments have a unique set of challenges. In our example, the smart agriculture company needs to connect thousands of devices in regions around the world with widely varied network availability. These devices are deployed, in some cases, many miles from the nearest cellular tower and need to be distributed on a large scale to enable the best quality data collection. They also need to withstand all kinds of weather events and temperatures, from rain and snow to heat and humidity.

The devices also need to be manufactured in a single batch, without knowing where in the world they will be shipped. After deployment, devices must sometimes be removed from the field and shifted to different regions, so to make the best use of the hardware, they must be easy to reconfigure.

For this smart agriculture deployment, eSIM meets the challenges. The process unfolds in clear phases:

• Manufacturing: eSIMs ship to the manufacturing partner and are incorporated into sensor devices
• Assembly and QA: Manufacturers install eSIMs, activate sensors in test mode, verify connectivity via local carriers, and hibernate SIMs for shipment
• Monitoring: Project leaders track the testing process (from the Dashboard for Hologram customers

Once sensors reach farms around the world, project managers use OTA provisioning with eUICC to customize carrier and network access based on local availability. A single profile can access multiple carriers in a network. With Hologram, that access continuously expands as new carriers and networks are added.

eSIM also supports ongoing operational needs:

• Rebalancing: When sensors move between locations due to growing seasons, project managers remotely provision new profiles to match network requirements
• Firmware updates: OTA delivery keeps devices improving over time
• Durability: Sealed eSIM hardware withstands extreme weather and temperatures common in agriculture

Deployment in mobility

Similar to the smart agriculture deployment, devices installed in micromobility vehicles (e-bikes and scooters) need to be provisioned after they are manufactured as they will be deployed in different urban areas around the world. eSIM provides a flexible solution, allowing managers to deploy carrier settings and firmware updates OTA once the vehicles are in place.

Later, if some vehicles need to be transferred from one fleet to another urban area, the onboard devices can be reconfigured with new settings to match their location and available carrier networks. The flexibility and durability of eUICC-enabled eSIMs make them a great fit for micromobility applications.

Deployment in fleet management

Fleet management is another strong use case for eUICC-enabled eSIM. A global trucking company deploying telematicsacross multiple continents can manufacture all devices simultaneously, then provision them after installation in specific locations. Vehicles that later move to different areas can be remotely updated and reset without physical access.

3 steps in eSIM deployment

Now that you've seen how eSIM works in real-world scenarios, let's consider how your enterprise eSIM deployment might unfold.

Step 1: Refine your eSIM approach

First, it's important to evaluate your goals and the needs of the specific use case. For example, consider these variables:

• Will you need to access and remove SIMs, or will they be embedded in the device?
• What is the total expected lifespan of your devices? Will they be deployed outdoors and/or in adverse temperature and weather conditions?
• Will the devices be static (deployed in one place for their entire lifecycle) or mobile (moving from place to place on a connected vehicle, for example)?

Taking the time to answer these questions and build an eSIM strategy that matches your needs will help you future-proof your connected devices against network and location changes and ensure that the technology you choose will last throughout the devices' lifecycle.

Step 2: Consider eSIM variables

Once you've defined the needs of your use case, you can look more closely at your options and determine which approach and provider work best for you. No matter what, you'll want to choose an eSIM that's designed for IoT applications and includes OTA programming capabilities up-to-date with GSMA standards. Beyond those basics, here are some options to consider:

• Ruggedized eSIMs: Essential for outdoor deployments or adverse conditions
• Long-lasting eSIMs: For deployments spanning a decade or more, ensure hardware durability
• Carrier-agnostic provider: Hologram lets you switch networks globally without time-consuming negotiations
• Multi-technology access: Support for 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and LPWAN options like Cat-M1, Cat-1, and NB-IoT (/blog/nb-iot-vs-cat-m1-vs-cat-1/)

Step 3: Deploy and manage your devices with eSIM

Once you've matched your use case needs with the right eSIM hardware and service options, move forward with production. Before deploying, confirm compliance with government and carrier regulations and ask your providers about their compliance policies. After launch, gather feedback from managers and users to refine your approach.

With a carrier-agnostic provider like Hologram, you'll retain the ability to manage devices in the field and receive instant alerts when a problem is detected. For example, if a device loses connectivity, appears outside its expected geographical boundaries, or experiences hardware or software glitches. When you use Hologram Hyper SIMs, our eUICC SIM platform, you can easily download new carriers and SIM profiles to your devices, optimizing coverage and costs even after your devices are in the field.

Frequently asked questions

What is an eSIM in IoT?

An eSIM is a SIM card embedded directly in a device rather than removable, and when paired with eUICC software, it allows network operators to send SIM profiles over the air without physical access to the device.

How does eSIM provisioning work for IoT devices?

Devices ship with embedded eSIMs and receive their network profiles remotely after deployment, eliminating the need to know final destinations during manufacturing and allowing companies to provision connectivity based on where devices actually end up.

Can eSIM profiles be changed after deployment?

Yes, eUICC-enabled eSIMs allow project managers to remotely download new carrier profiles and update network settings after devices are deployed in the field.

What industries benefit most from eSIM deployments?

Smart agriculture, micromobility, fleet management, and connected vehicles benefit significantly because these applications require devices to operate across multiple regions with varying network availability and often need reconfiguration as devices move between locations.

Do eSIM devices last longer than traditional SIM devices?

eSIM devices typically consume less power (especially on LTE-M or NB-IoT protocols) and feature sealed designs that withstand outdoor, underground, or underwater conditions better than devices with removable SIM trays.

What should I look for when choosing an eSIM provider?

Choose a provider that offers IoT-specific eSIMs with OTA programming compliant with GSMA standards, carrier-agnostic network access, support for multiple cellular technologies (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, Cat-M1, Cat-1, NB-IoT), and ruggedized hardware if deploying in harsh environments.