eSIM brings together the global operators, SIMs vendors and OEMS

Barcelona, Spain / MWC 2015 — A group of global operators, OEMs and SIM vendors have been working since September 2014 to implement a fully interoperable eSIM. This is bound to benefit the end consumers since it gives them freedom of choice in both operators and devices. Currently the eSIM development group consists of following global operators: Telefónica, China Unicom and América Móvil. The OEMs in the group include Sony Mobile, Samsung, LG, and Huawei. The SIM vendors involved in the development are STMicrolectronics, Valid, Oberthur Technologies, Morpho, Gemalto and Giesecke & Devrient. These companies are greatly involved in developing a technical definition which will provide interoperability of the devices that are powered by eSIM with any platform, SIM vendor and operator.

As a direct result of this development effort, the community was able to release the first technical definition of operator IPP i.e., Interoperable Profile Package on 5th Feb of this year. the industry representatives to whom the definition was released consisted of SIM Alliance and the GSMA members. This was done so as to enable every player in the industry to join this initiative in a manner that is both transparent and open. According to the definition everyone can enjoy this interoperable implementation of eSIM. This is expected to further drive the development and innovation in VAS over SIM that match business principles of GSMA.

It also allows us to make use of the network equipment and infrastructure that already exist in adopting the coming scenario. Use – cases that are consumer oriented have been defined and as announced will be tested in near time both in global and local environments so as to ensure that every region and customer is covered without considering which device and operating they are using. The initiative “GSMA Consumer Remote SIM Provisioning” aims at coordinating various activities in the industry with many complementary streams to make contribution to the making of an end – to – end solution for Remote SIM. The delivery of the solution is expected by 2016.

About OOREDOO Group

Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in South East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.  As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. The company was named “Best Mobile Operator of the Year” at the World Communication Awards 2013. The company reported revenues of US$9.3 billion in 2013 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 95 million people as of 31 December 2013. www.ooredoo.com