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The future of IoT connectivity management: introducing eUICC

Bell IoT connectivity management with eUICC

Imagine your business decides to redeploy hundreds of IoT devices to its new regional headquarters, but your current communications service provider doesn’t operate in the new region. That means someone must go and physically swap out all the device SIMs so each device can connect to a new service provider’s network.

All that hassle could have been avoided with embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) technology. This software runs on top of SIMs, unlocking new capabilities that make deploying and managing IoT devices simpler and more cost effective than ever before. 


eUICC explained

Traditional SIM cards restrict a device to a single mobile network provider. Using multiple carriers for global connectivity requires physically replacing the SIM card – a minor inconvenience for individual users but a significant cost and logistical challenge for large-scale IoT deployments. Sending technicians to remote locations to swap SIMs is expensive and time-consuming, especially as the number of connected devices increases. eUICC offers a solution that facilitates remote provisioning and management of multiple operator profiles per SIM, no matter the location. 

eUICC is compatible with various SIM formats: mini-SIM/2FF, micro-SIM/3FF, nano-SIM/4FF and eSIM/MFF2 (i.e., embedded SIM). While some use “eSIM” and “eUICC” interchangeably, it's crucial to understand the difference: an eSIM is simply a SIM embedded in a device, popularly known as MFF2 SIM; it may or may not include eUICC software. Only eUICC-enabled SIMs offer remote SIM provisioning and management capabilities.

SIM form factors and eUICC software enabled SIMs 

How eUICC benefits businesses 

The future of IoT connectivity, eUICC provides a superior experience for SIM provisioning and management, offering a host of benefits: 

      • Simplification and optimized ROI: Some IoT applications benefit from having multiple operator profiles for a single device. For example, if a service provider’s network goes down or if there are gaps in coverage, the device can switch to a different service provider’s network to maintain connectivity. A single eUICC SIM's ability to hold multiple operator profiles eliminates the need for multiple physical SIM cards. This significantly lowers costs and simplifies deployments. 
      • Seamless global coverage: Mobile IoT devices, such as drones and connected vehicles, often cross borders or move beyond a single provider's coverage area. Because they are capable of switching between multiple operator profiles, eUICC SIMs enable a seamless experience, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and extending operational reach beyond the limitations of an individual cellular network. 
      • Scalability and futureproofing: While your current IoT deployment might be manageable with traditional SIMs, expanding your fleet will become more expensive and complex over time. eUICC's remote provisioning and management capabilities offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for scaling your IoT devices. 
      • Single pane of glass: Simplify things even further with a single-pane-of-glass experience for billing and management for all of your global SIMs. Service providers will make this possible behind the scenes to offer you the simplest possible experience.  


Bring the benefits of eUICC to your business 

Accelerate your IoT deployments and reduce costs with eUICC. Their ability to seamlessly switch between mobile network operators allows devices to remain connected while moving across different coverage areas and dispersed locations. This makes eUICC ideal for businesses looking to expand their IoT capabilities and unlock the full potential of connected devices. 

Bell’s IoT experts are here to help you every step of the way. Visit our IoT connectivity page to learn more and read our network technology article to understand which type of connectivity best suits your business needs.