As embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs) and embedded subscriber
identification modules (eSIMs) begin to be rolled out enterprises and mobile network operators
are being freed from the constraints of having to manage contracts with multiple providers in
different countries in order to support IoT deployments. Mohsen Shakoor, who leads strategic
partnerships at Stream Technologies, and his colleague Robert Shah, a product manager at the
company, tell IoT Now how eUICC is transforming the IoT connectivity landscape
IoT Now: How can Stream Technologies help global enterprises take advantage of eUICC?
Mohsen Shakoor: As a global M2M/IoT connectivity provider and enabler since 2000, Stream has historically simplified global connectivity for enterprise customers, providing a single platform to orchestrate connectivity whilst also providing competitive global wholesale connectivity across multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) and geographies. eUICC is an innovative and cutting-edge technology presenting and promising tremendous benefits for enterprises, and is a natural evolution and fit with the functionality of the Stream IoT-X platform.
As global enterprises enter the fragmented eUICC and connectivity arena, they are rapidly realising the complexity of the overall solution which requires orchestration of a multitude of interrelated elements, which includes the inherent restrictions of underlying platforms such as legacy connectivity management platforms.
The true opportunity that eUICC presents for global enterprises is to simplify logistics and reduce costs. There are many ways that Stream provides these benefits to the enterprises to enable them to truly take advantage of the opportunity presented by eUICC. Stream provides a managed end-to-end eUICC connectivity service, eliminating the need for the enterprise to sign contracts with multiple parties and develop infrastructure and systems to orchestrate the underlying systems. In short, we enable the global enterprise to insert, or integrate eUICC SIMs into their devices anywhere, and deploy anywhere; ensuring that devices have access to the appropriate eSIM profiles and wholesale rates – drastically simplifying supply chain processes and reducing costs.
Proprietary multi-international mobile subscriber identities (IMSI) and traditional roaming solutions would still result in the enterprise establishing and maintaining separate processes for devices that would eventually be deployed in different regions and inevitably have contact with multiple CSPs and require managed connectivity across multiple platforms. Stream’s eUICC solution streamlines the enterprise’s logistics resulting in significant cost savings. Furthermore, Stream unlocks new revenue streams through IoT-X’s ability to enable global enterprises to re-sell connectivity to the market with competitive rates that Stream has established to date and continues to strengthen through its global commercial reach.
IoT Now: How does Stream simplify this process for large scale enterprises connecting globally?
Robert Shah: Whilst the market is fast realising that the adoption of eSIMs is inescapable, it was not foreseeable. As a result, many platforms provided by traditional vendors have limited support for eSIM and will continue to be restricted by their heavy technical approach. Naturally, this impacts the capabilities of the individual MNOs that subscribe to their services, leaving the enterprise with multiple providers and systems to maintain their connectivity. In contrast, IoT-X’s agile network, infrastructure and integration methodology truly simplifies the process for enterprises to adopt and scale with eSIM.
Since its inception, Stream has provided standards based multi-MNO approach, coupled with cutting edge IoT network infrastructure and management technologies via IoT-X. This has historically simplified connectivity at any scale for enterprises. eUICC truly lends itself to the existing capabilities provided by Stream which, coupled with recent enhancements, distinguishes Stream as a leading player. Through a single contractual relationship with Stream, enterprises can access multiple eSIM profiles to meet different needs, ranging from local in-country profile/connectivity to regional and global roaming profiles.
Stream continues to invest in the development of its footprint, which can be utilised by enterprises even if the new profile is on-boarded a year after the device has been deployed. This flexibility removes the historic vendor lock-in issue that has prevented enterprises from deploying effectively at a global scale. Through a single platform and underlying network infrastructure, enterprises can orchestrate and monetise their connectivity whether it is or not eSIM based, across multiple MNOs, geographies and technologies. From a commercial perspective, Stream eliminates the need for enterprises to agree contracts directly with multiple MNOs, instead Stream acts as the single vendor for global connectivity with competitive rates that enterprises would not typically have access to directly with MNOs.
IoT Now: What are the unique features that help drive this and what are the benefits of managing eSIM with IoT-X?
MS: IoT-X simplifies the fragmented eSIM and IoT connectivity ecosystem, resulting in several benefits for anyone seeking to adopt IoT-X, be it a global enterprise, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), MNO or mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). The approach enables zero touch provisioning and automation to meet sophisticated needs per individual user. From an internet protocol (IP) infrastructure perspective, all networks that are integrated to IoT-X are done so in a unified manner whereby the traffic is routed over Stream’s global access point name (APN), a gateway that ensures secure data transit for any connection.
This approach results in the APN setting remaining consistent even when the eSIM profile changes from MNO A to B, enabling a hassle free and seamless swap in MNO service. Users of IoT-X can manage eSIM profiles manually via a graphical user interface (GUI) and application programme interfaces (APIs); as well as automating the profile swap based on business rules such as location. As a result, if a device goes from country A to B, the eSIM profile can dynamically swap per the predefined rules.
The automation extends to the rate plan on the subscription. Users do not need to manage their connectivity via the platform but can be assured that their subscriptions automate as per the specific rules configured on the platform. Regardless of which eSIM profile the subscriber connects to, IoT-X users have a unified experience both via UI and API, gaining access to deep analytics, billing, monitoring and lifecycle administration. Furthermore, IoT-X’s capabilities are not just restricted to cellular connectivity, but any type of network, including satellite and low power wider area networks (LPWANs).
IoT Now: Why don’t the enterprises do this themselves?
RS: The reality is that it is not so simple! The overall solution requires orchestration of various elements, that are core to the functionality of the solution. The global enterprise has a choice to either procure a managed service by a partner like Stream or invest in the development of their own systems. The latter would require significant up-front and ongoing investment, not to mention the slow time to market irrespective of the investment made.
A high level overview of the technical hurdles to overcome in order for the enterprise to do it themselves includes the need for the system that they develop to integrate with different types of network infrastructures from different MNOs and different platforms for connectivity management – that is, of course, if that MNO is one of the few who has a communication management platform (CMP), be it proprietary or such as that provided by Cisco Jasper or Ericsson. In addition, they will need an integration to multiple underlying remote SIM provisioning (RSP) systems such as those provided by IDEMIA, G+D and Gemalto. It becomes further complicated if the global enterprise is seeking to on-bill its own customers, which would result in the procurement or development of yet another system for IoT/M2M traffic rating and billing.
Stream acts as a single provider of global eUICC connectivity and orchestration for the global enterprise. Stream’s unique infrastructure and IoTX platform provides users with deep insight into their connectivity regardless of whether it is eUICC or non-eUICC based, regardless of operator type, regardless of underlying systems – CMPs and RSPs – and regardless of geography. Our unique infrastructure allows us to on-board and integrate new network operator partners in weeks.
In addition, Stream has a strategic footprint that has been developed since launching Europe’s first cellular M2M tariff in 2002. This means the enterprise does not need to contract with multiple MNOs, but simply enter a single agreement with Stream to access a global footprint and competitive rates. Stream’s commercial and technical agility also allows the enterprise to bring its own connectivity to be integrated to IoT-X.
IoT Now: What opportunity does eSIM present for MNOs and how does Stream help MNOs capture this?
MS: MNOs traditionally service their domestic customers by providing connectivity on their own network or roaming options for international connectivity which comes with several restrictions recognised widely by the market. MNOs are unable to service global enterprises, as they have a multi-geography multi-MNO requirement which is something typically offered by managed connectivity service providers – or IoT MVNOs; as a result they have and continue to win significant global contracts.
There are two ways that the MNO can capture business from global enterprises via eUICC: directly and indirectly. For the indirect approach, the MNO can make its eSIM profile available to the rare types of managed connectivity service providers like Stream which possess technology to orchestrate connectivity and eSIM profiles from multiple MNOs and provide an end-to-end managed service to the enterprise client. This is something that traditional MNOs resist, but local competing MNOs are capturing.
For the direct approach, MNOs have an opportunity to challenge the status quo for connectivity by truly taking advantage of eSIM and enabling themselves as a hybrid of an MNO and MVNO. This means that the local MNO partners use their international counterparts to resell their profiles and wholesale connectivity. This approach is different from existing agreements between MNOs, which are centred around traditional roaming. As described previously, the commercial aspect is not the only barrier that exists, it is largely the technology.
Consider an MNO which is one of the few that has a CMP. It is extremely likely that their existing CMP will at best only allow them to provide their customers with visibility of connections on the MNOs who also subscribe the that CMP. That is also assuming that the CMP has eUICC capabilities. Stream not only provides the MNOs with the technology to overlay underlying CMPs and orchestrate eSIM profiles from multiple MNOs, but also the wholesale rates meaning the MNO does not need to establish individual agreements with MNOs.
