As businesses across Southeast Asia accelerate their digital transformation, the need for smarter, more scalable, and flexible connectivity solutions is becoming mission-critical, especially for industries deploying fleets of IoT-connected devices. In response to this growing demand, Globe Telecom, a leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Thales, a global leader in digital identity and eSIM technologies, and Bridge Alliance, a regional telecom consortium, to pilot the GSMA SGP.32 eSIM standard for enterprise IoT.

This trial marks a significant step in the evolution of enterprise connectivity, positioning the Philippines at the forefront of IoT innovation in Asia. The GSMA SGP.32 specification was designed specifically to tackle the complex requirements of IoT deployments at scale—think thousands of devices requiring seamless provisioning, secure lifecycle management, and the ability to switch between mobile network operators without physical SIM swaps.

What’s the GSMA SGP.32 Standard?

• SGP.32 is a cutting-edge eSIM specification developed by the GSM Association (GSMA) to better support enterprise IoT.
• It enables bulk remote provisioning of SIM profiles, seamless switching between operators, and secure lifecycle management of IoT devices.

The Partners & Their Roles

1. Globe Telecom:

   • First in the Philippines to pilot the SGP.32 standard.

   • Integrates Thales’ Adaptive Connect Services, featuring an IoT Remote Manager (EIM) and Fleet Manager suited for local and regional enterprise needs

   • Carl Cruz, Globe’s President & CEO, emphasizes that this PoC aims to simplify device connectivity, unlocking efficiency, flexibility, and scalability for enterprise users

2. Thales:

   • A leader in eSIM technology, supplying Adaptive Connect to enable bulk SIM provisioning, remote activation, profile switching, and lifecycle management

   • Jon Cahilig, Thales Asia Head of Sales, highlights how this helps fleet-based companies introduce SGP.32 devices on a large scale within a regional market

3. Bridge Alliance:

• • A consortium comprising major telcos like Singtel (SG), Optus (AU), and AIS (TH).

  • As a project manager, it simulates cross-border deployments among Bridge member networks, ensuring multi-market readiness

  • Dr. Ong Geok Chwee, Bridge Alliance CEO, notes that the PoC brings the region closer to unified, scalable IoT connectivity

Timeline & Scope

• Start Date: Q3 2025, pending completion of integration development
• Goal: Demonstrate remote bulk SIM provisioning, seamless operator switching, and secure activation using SGP.32.
• Future Phase: After successful testing and once SGP.32-certified devices are available, and Globe will open the platform to OEMs and enterprise clients

Market Context & Opportunities

• The global IoT device count is projected to surpass 4.9 billion by the end of 2025.
• The Philippine IoT market, currently in its early stages, is estimated to grow to ₱ 410 billion by 2029, spurred by smart city initiatives, modern manufacturing, and EV adoption
• Globe’s SGP.32 rollout aligns with regional digital transformation trends, positioning them as a leader in enterprise IoT infrastructure.

Why This Is a Big Deal

• For Businesses: Simplifies enabling and managing fleets of connected devices across borders—ideal for logistics, transportation, utilities, etc.
• For Telcos: Establishes Globe and other Bridge Alliance members as early adopters in the region, boosting competitiveness in IoT solutions.
• For IoT Vendors: Provides an interoperable and secure platform to deploy devices across multiple countries effortlessly.

Bottom Line

By launching the Philippines’ first GSMA SGP.32 enterprise IoT trial, Globe, Thales, and Bridge Alliance are setting a high bar for scalable, secure, and efficient IoT connectivity across Southeast Asia. This strategic move not only boosts Globe’s credentials but also paves the way for faster, smarter digital workplaces and cities.