eSIM - Development history of eSIM
type: channel
link: https://esim.ltd/tag/Development-history-of-eSIM/
items: Development history of eSIM

Development history of eSIM
type: item
date: 2023-03-14T17:20:00+08:00
description: eSIM, also known as embedded SIM or electronic SIM, is a new technology that enables cellular devices to have a SIM card built into their hardware, which cannot be removed or replaced. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the mobile industry by providing more flexibility and convenience to consumers. In this article, we will explore the history of eSIM technology, its evolution, and its current state.Early DevelopmentThe concept of embedded SIM technology dates back to the late 1990s when researchers began exploring the possibility of integrating SIM cards into mobile devices. In 1999, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) started developing a specification for an embedded SIM. This specification was intended to provide a standard interface for a programmable SIM that could be integrated into a wide range of devices.In 2004, ETSI released the first version of the specification, which was called the Remote SIM Provisioning Architecture for Embedded UICC. This specification defined the architecture and the protocols required to enable over-the-air (OTA) provisioning of the embedded SIM, without the need for a physical SIM card.In the following years, ETSI continued to refine the specification and released several updates, including version 2.1.1 in 2016, which introduced the concept of a "subscription manager" that could manage multiple profiles on a single eSIM. This version also introduced support for remote SIM provisioning in machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, which opened up new opportunities for the technology.CommercializationThe first commercial implementation of eSIM technology was in 2014, when Samsung launched its Gear S smartwatch with an embedded SIM. This device allowed users to make calls and send texts without the need for a smartphone. However, at the time, eSIM technology was still in its infancy, and there were only a few devices that supported it.In 2016, Apple introduced eSIM technology in its iPad Pro lineup, whi…