NTT Communications Corporation announced that it has started conducting an embedded SIMs (eSIMs) PoC to confirm the connection and remote SIM provisioning for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in July 2017. Find out more about NTT eSIM below.

NTT Com has built an environment for remote SIM provisioning on NTT Com’s MVNE platform in Hong Kong, and the environment is compliant with the GSMA architecture and supports both M2M and consumer models.

The GSMA is promoting the standardization of M2M and consumer models for eSIMs. NTT Com, aiming at the early implementation of its own M2M and consumer models, decided to launch its verification tests before any other MVNO in Japan.

Traditional SIM cards used up until now have a fixed SIM profile that the operator or consumer cannot rewrite or change while they are using. eSIM technology, however, can be remotely rewritten or changed for specific purposes without having to replace the SIM card. The advantages include:

• Access to preferred mobile networks when users travel overseas
• OEMs can optimize logistics and stocking by manufacturing connected devices independent of the country of destination
• Reduce the influence of overseas communication restrictions, such as permanent roaming prohibitions

M2M model verification:
With the eSIM-equipped IoT device or modem, the operator issues a command to the subscription manager server to control the eSIM remotely. OTA (Over-The-Air) is used to download, change, activate, deactivate, and remove a profile on eSIM. The test is to confirm the significant benefit that eSIM on the device can provide in any country after it has been shipped and sold.

Consumer Model verification:
With the eSIM-equipped consumer device, the consumer selects the mobile service or plan for the device to download the specific SIM profile and then confirms if communication is successful. In actual use case, the consumer device could be a smart watch, mobile computer, etc.

Embedded Technology Verification:
NTT Com is conducting joint research with partners that offer embedded technologies which could be combined with eSIMs, for example, to realize secure communication.

Going forward, NTT Com will leverage the know-how attained with the verification test to consider developing highly convenient mobile services that support the global businesses of customers.