Telecoms giant BT, specifically their awkwardly named UK digital incubation team, Etc., has today “powered up” their first Electric Vehicle (EV) charger under a 2-year pilot, which is one of potentially tens of thousands that could be established by repurposing Openreach’s old fixed broadband street cabinets.

The operator has been planning the pilot since mid-2023 (here), although the process of actually getting it underway didn’t officially start until January 2024 (here) – a few months later than the original plan. The core idea is for BT and Openreach to “convert or upgrade” up to 60,000 street cabinets (from a potential pool of 90,000). BT previously clarified to ISPreview that the focus here is on their FTTC (VDSL2) / DSLAM broadband cabinets, rather than older Primary Connection Points (PCP).

The charging solution works by retrofitting the cabinets with a device that enables renewable energy to be shared to a charge point alongside the existing broadband service, with no need to create a new power connection. EV charging can be deployed to cabinets that are in-use for current copper broadband services, or in those due for retirement, depending on the space and power available to the unit.

Once the cabinet is no longer needed for broadband, as the nationwide deployment of full fibre (FTTP) lines progresses, the broadband equipment can then be recycled, and additional EV charge points added to replace what went before. Naturally, this isn’t going to work in every location, since not all cabinets are suitably positioned and there may be other obstacles too (e.g. issues of council approval, road access, physical location etc.).

Likewise, street side chargers need to be kept as small as possible, which means that they’ll only be able to support slower charging speeds (up to 7.8kW). We should point out that a lot of Openreach’s existing cabinets typically use no more than a few hundred watts, but that power supply can be upgraded and often without needing major works.

First BT Trial EV Charger Goes Live

Fast-forward to today and the first EV charging point has, as previously expected, just gone live at an unspecified location in East Lothian, Scotland. The charger has been installed for use by local residents, who will be able to charge their EVs “at no cost” until 31st May 2024 as part of the pilot. The pilot will focus next on West Yorkshire, with ambitions to scale up to 600 trial sites across the UK.

EV drivers can use the charge point by downloading a trial app from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store (no links for these were provided). Customers who download the app at the location as part of the trial will naturally need to ensure they have a 4G or 5G (mobile broadband) capable handset and an active data plan or pay-as-you-go data services.

The app was developed by Etc. in conjunction with EV drivers and includes various features, such as visibility of EV chargers across the UK, alongside real-time pricing, availability and charge speed, the ability to start, stop and monitor charge sessions via the app and to filter by connector type, kW speed and charging network. EV owners can connect their car to the app to get live updates on battery levels, smart estimated costs and charge times, and access their charging history.

Throughout the pilots Etc. at BT will test elements ranging from the digital customer experience to engineering and technology choices, planning and local engagement, operational and commercial options. Interestingly, the project claims to have “identified up to” 4,800 street cabinets that could be used for potential upgrade in Scotland, which is almost double the 5,052 public EV chargers that already exist in Scotland (Zapmap’s data).

Tom Guy, MD of Etc. at BT Group, said:

“With our research showing that 78% of petrol and diesel drivers see not being able to conveniently charge an EV as a key a barrier to purchasing one, and the UK behind government-set sustainability targets, it’s critical that we start looking at existing infrastructure to drive innovation at speed. These trials present a unique opportunity to tap into existing assets to drive the important transition to electrification in the UK, and we’re proud to be working with local councils in East Lothian and more widely across the UK at this critical stage to play our part.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport at Scottish Government, said:

“This is an exciting and innovative development in the provision of electric vehicle charging so I’m really pleased that the first trial in the UK is taking place in East Lothian.

This government is committed to supporting people to make the switch from petrol and diesel vehicles, and our vision for Scotland’s future public EV charging network highlights the need for private sector finance and delivery to build on our significant investment in the network to date.

I’m really looking forward to seeing more partnership working like this as we continue to help people in Scotland to make greener transport choices.”

The move supports the UK Government’s ambitions to increase the number of EV charge points from almost 60,000 today (Zapmap data) to 300,000 by 2030. Access to charging is currently creating a significant barrier to EV purchase for many. BT Group’s recent research found that 60% of people think the UK’s EV charging infrastructure is inadequate, with 78% of petrol and diesel drivers saying not being able to conveniently charge an EV is a barrier to adoption.

At the same time BT and Openreach’s own staff, particularly their engineers, may also benefit from being given preferential access to the chargers in the future, although it remains unclear precisely how this will be handled. Openreach is currently in the process of upgrading all of their c. 30,000 strong fleet of UK diesel vans and cars to EVs by March 2031 (4,000 have already been done).

However, at the time of writing it remains unclear how much BT will charge consumers to fill up their EVs, which is somewhat of a contentious issue given the high price of electricity and the tendency of some EV charging networks to charge astronomical sums (this does vary, some are much more affordable). The number of chargers they end up deploying may also depend, at least in part, on how much public subsidy they can access from key government schemes (around £1.6bn of public funding has been committed up to 2030).

Welsh internet provider Ogi, which is deploying a gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network to homes and businesses across South Wales, has developed a new bespoke and in-house 8-week fibre engineer training programme and the first recruits have just completed the course.

The new training programme is said to be made up of a mix of regulatory e-learning modules, peer-led training and a ‘last mile’ practical assessment pilot facilitated by Future Networks Training (FNT). All new engineers are also being equipped with customer service skills.

All new engineers start with a ‘buddy’, learning on the job as they progress through the Ogi-led induction programme. From classroom-style training covering regulatory modules and the health and safety principles to on-site practical training, all new engineers undertake the programme before a planned final five day ‘last mile’ validation course at FNT’s bespoke training facility outside Bristol.

During the final assessment, engineers are tasked with a series of real-world scenarios including block paving, soft verge and asphalt reinstatement, work at height, accessing aerial subscriber nodes (ASNs), and the connection of an optical network terminal (ONT) to a property.

Ogi’s Director of Service Operations, Louise Healey, said:

“This peer-led approach makes sure we equip new recruits with not only the necessary regulatory practices from day one, but with an understanding of our company culture and approach to excellent customer service too – something that’s really important to us at Ogi.

It’s all about teamwork and trusting each other out in the field, and back at base. By encouraging people to share knowledge, we’re not only continuously upskilling existing engineers, but creating a collaborative and supportive team environment across the business too. It’s really unique, I think – and is helping us embed engineers with the skills and confidence they need much quicker than before.”

Ogi states that an average of 3 new employees join them every week, although it’s unclear how many engineers will ultimately benefit from the new programme.

Ogi’s Rollout Locations:

➤ Bridgend: Caerau, Cwmfelin, Garth, Llangynwyd, Maesteg^, Nantyffyllon, Pencoed^, Porthcawl^

➤ Caerphilly: Blackwood^, Cefn Fforest, Cefn Hengoed, Fleur-de-lis, Hengoed^, Pengam, Ystrad Mynach, Maesycymmer, Pontllanfraith, Tir-y-Berth, Woodfieldside.

➤ Cardiff^

➤ Monmouthshire: Abergavenny^, Caerwent, Caldicot^, Chepstow, Crick, Monmouth^, Portskewett, Rogiet, Sudbrook, Undy.

➤ Newport: Langstone, Llanvaches^, Underwood^.

➤ Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest^, Johnston, Milford Haven^, Neyland^, Pembroke^, Pembroke Dock^. Tenby^.

➤ Rhondda Cynon Taf: Cymmer, Dinas, Llwyncelyn, Mount Pleasant, Porth^, Tonyrefail^*, Tonypandy^*, Trebanog, Trehafod, Ynyshir.

➤ Torfaen: Griffithstown, New Inn, Pantymoile, Penygarn, Pontypool^, Sebastopol, Trosnant, Wainfelin.

➤ Vale of Glamorgan: Dinas Powys^, Llantwit Major^, Rhoose^, St Athan.

^Local Network Exchange

Some of our readers have spotted that low-cost UK mobile operator iD Mobile (Currys), which uses Three UK’s national 4G and 5G network via a virtual operator (MVNO) agreement, has recently introduced eSIM (Electronic SIM) support to their mobile service.

The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which works by essentially embedding an electronic SIM into your device (Smartphone) that could – once fully implemented – make it easier and quicker to switch between operators (e.g. not having to wait for a SIM card to arrive), as well as to use additional networks alongside your main mobile plan (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).

The good news, as recently spotted via ISPreview’s community forum (credits to meritez), is that iD Mobile have finally introduced eSIM support to their service (here). But you’ll need to double-check if your mobile phone is eSIM compatible first (dial *#06# into your keypad and if you see a pop-up which includes an EID number on the screen, then your device should be compatible).

One other possible catch is that iD Mobile’s related Q&A page appears to be indicating that they don’t currently support eSIM on the Apple Watch (here).

Meanwhile, one of Three UK’s other MVNO providers, Smarty, still has yet to add any eSIM support and would only say (here) “it is something we may look to have in future.”

News 

The deal comes less than a year after the two companies broke off merger talks 

Luxemburg-based satellite company SES has signed a deal to buy Intelsat Holdings for $3.1 billion. 

A joint press release from the two companies explained the combination as creating “a stronger multi-orbit operator with greater coverage, improved resiliency, expanded suite of solutions, enhanced resources to profitably invest in innovation, and benefit from the collective talent, expertise, and track record of both companies.”  

Once combined, SES’s orbital assets will include 100 Geostationary Earth Orbit and 26 Medium Earth Orbit satellites. 

The deal gives Intelsat an enterprise value stands of $5 billion, with SES suggesting the deal will deliver synergies worth €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion). 

“Going forward, customers will benefit from a more competitive portfolio of solutions with end-to-end offerings in valuable Government and Mobility segments, combined with value-added, efficient, and reliable offerings for Fixed Data and Media customers,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh. 

Rumours related to a potential acquisition had first began to swirl last year, with SES confirming talks were taking place in a statement. However, these discussions appeared to fizzle out, leaving it unclear if discussions were ongoing. 

Now, the deal has been unanimously approved by both company boards and is expected to close in the latter half of next year, pending regulatory approval.   

The deal represents the latest stage in consolidation of the global satellite industry, as European companies attempt to compete against newer rivals such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, which launched in 2019 and has come to dominate in terms of sheer scale. 

However, in terms of financials and with its well-established customer base, this newly combined SES–Intelsat could become an even more significant player in the satellite communications industry.  

Indeed, some industry onlookers suggest that this combination could itself create a dominant market leader.   

“The combined entity is poised to be the world’s largest satellite company in terms of revenue, and could dominate the market, leveraging its extensive resources and expertise to shape the future of satellite communications and deliver on new use cases,” commented Christof Kern, Business Development Lead in Satellite & Space at satellite consultancy TTP.  

In related news, this week Intelsat announced that it will install and operate ruggedised multi-orbit satellite terminals on farm equipment from CNH in remote areas of Brazil. This will enable farmers to effectively implement precision farming, the practice of using technology to use precise amounts of water, fertiliser, and pesticides to maximise crop yield. The satellites will provide the connectivity allowing farmers to implement the practice. 

Keep up to date with all the latest developments from the global telecoms industry with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
T-Mobile and EQT form JV to buy Lumos
Korean Air shows off comprehensive urban air mobility system backed by 5G
Virgin Media O2 reaches plastic waste milestone

WALTHAM, MA — April 30, 2024 — Netcracker Technology announced today that it will continue to deliver mission-critical IT functions, applications and services to altafiber, the leading supplier of fiber-based services in Greater Cincinnati.

altafiber’s long-standing relationship with Netcracker includes managed and professional services for components of Netcracker Digital BSS and Digital OSS solutions, which support its B2C and B2B customers across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, as well as its subsidiary operations at Hawaiian Telcom.

altafiber has invested more than $1.5 billion into its Midwestern fiber network to date, reaching approximately 760,000 business and consumer addresses through its cutting-edge 10-Gig XGS-PON fiber network. With IT support from Netcracker, altafiber can deliver advanced residential and business services, including high-speed Internet, voice, television and whole home and managed Wi-Fi.

“Netcracker has been a strategic partner for many years,” said Kevin Murray, CIO at altafiber. “The strong partnership between our two companies has allowed us to focus on building out new lines of business, including our fiber-based Internet, voice and video services, which gives us new opportunities without worrying about our network operations and support.”

“altafiber’s trust in Netcracker to provide a broad range of BSS and OSS functions along with managed and professional services is truly gratifying,” said Rohit Aggarwal, GM at Netcracker. “We are proud to be altafiber’s partner of choice to support its cutting-edge infrastructure and services over an extensive fiber network footprint that continues to expand into new geographic markets.”

About Netcracker Technology

Rapid digitization is disrupting the status quo of today’s communications markets. Constantly evolving customer needs and behaviors require service providers to adapt quickly and diversify their businesses to deliver the outcomes that their customers expect. Building digital ecosystems, anticipating customer requirements and delivering a digital-first experience are essential for service providers to accelerate innovation, expand into new markets and become the disruptors in the 5G era.

Netcracker Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, has the expertise, culture and resources to help service providers around the world transform their businesses to thrive in a digital economy. Our innovative solutions – including our flagship cloud-native Netcracker Digital Platform – value-driven services and unbroken delivery track record of three decades help service providers to achieve their digital transformation goals, drive the telco to techco evolution within their organizations and realize business growth and profitability. For more information, visit www.netcracker.com.

Media Contact

Anita Karvé
Netcracker Technology
MediaGroup@Netcracker.com   

LATRO is pleased to announce the appointment of Uffe Jes Hansen as Vice-President of Sales. Mr. Hansen is a senior sales leader in the telecommunications industry with twenty years of experience supporting CPaaS and cloud software and platform solutions. Most recently, he held senior roles with Sinch, SAP, and Syniverse/MACH. Based in LATRO’s Dubai, UAE office, he will lead the company’s global sales team which provides data-driven analytics solutions that empower LATRO’s customers to protect and increase their bottom-line results. 

“We are thrilled to have Uffe join our senior leadership team at LATRO. His track record of customer success and delivering high-value, cloud-based software platforms to leading telecom companies across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia will help our customers realize business value from LATRO’s products and services. We are honored to have him on the team,” commented LATRO CEO, Donald Reinhart. 

“I am pleased to join LATRO and lead the sales division during this exciting phase of growth,” said Hansen. “I am committed to driving sales excellence, building strategic partnerships, and delivering value to our clients and stakeholders.” 

LATRO is a leading provider of AI/ML technology solutions in the Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management sector. In addition, the company enables telecommunications operators to leverage their data assets into business value while also optimizing return on investment of BSS, VAS, and Enterprise platforms through consolidated Telecom Application Managed Services. For more information about LATRO, visit http://www.latro.com. 

Date of release: April 30th 2024

Multi-award-winning broadband provider, brsk, has announced a new milestone today – providing half a million homes in the UK with access to full fibre.

This achievement marks their relentless pursuit of providing the best connectivity to otherwise overlooked communities, empowering residents with access to full fibre broadband and world-class customer service, the likes of which they have never experienced before. By surpassing the half-million mark, brsk has reaffirmed its position as one of the leading new full fibre broadband providers in the UK. 

After just three years, brsk has grown from strength to strength; their build engine currently passes an impressive 30,000 homes per month, with continuous growth month-on-month, and places them as the as one of the top 10 full fibre networks in the UK, playing their part to support Government’s 2030 national gigabit broadband target.

Amassing an impressive array of awards since inception, ranging from having a top-quality network (ISPA 2023 Best Infrastructure under 250k Homes, and Connected Britain 2023 Broadband Provider of the Year) to offering the best customer experience, brsk is proving that an alternative network can be a better choice for customers than the incumbents who have dominated the market for so many years. Brsk has seen exponential growth in 2023 and 2024, not just in network coverage, but also in growing their customer base.

On reaching this milestone, brsk’s Chief Operating Officer, Ian Kock, said, “We are extremely proud of what our team has achieved in such a short period of time. Our focus has been on reaching scale and building a high-quality network as efficiently as possible. Our build engine is producing 30k plus homes per month across four regions, and we are well on our way to achieving our ambition of providing better broadband to one million homes.”

Demonstrating that industry-leading customer service is a core part of their DNA, evident in winning ‘Best Customer Experience’ at the ISPA Awards 2023, the company has achieved a Trustpilot score of 4.7, backed by almost 8,000 reviews.

“It’s about being absolutely customer-obsessed”, continues Kock. “We’ve put a great deal of effort into implementing tools and innovations to create a seamless experience – meeting our customers’ needs on their terms. For instance, our order and installation scheduling processes can be as simple as a few taps. Managing accounts is just as easy, thanks to our recently-overhauled online customer portal. And if customers have a burning question, we have a comprehensive online help centre. Of course, if customers want to speak to us, they can rest assured that there’s a substantial and passionate support team, ready to guide.”

Brsk is focused on connecting underserved towns and villages in the West Midlands and North West of the UK, across Bradford, Calderdale, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside, The Black Country and Birmingham, with further areas to be announced later this year.

Check your postcode at brsk.co.uk to see if you can get connected. 

 Notes to editor:

Brsk Limited is an FTTP broadband operator installing a new full-fibre broadband network to homes and businesses across underserviced areas of the UK. Brsk installs, operates, and maintains the fibre network. It also provides best-in-class consumer ISP services with flexible packages and affordable pricing. The UK has one of the lowest rates of access to full-fibre Internet in Europe, primarily due to a reliance on part-copper cabling rather than high-speed fibre optic. As a result, the UK suffers from lower-than-average speeds and fares worse in terms of value for money.

Joined by Voltserver and EasyStreet systems, they collectively exhibited working advances to out-dated network infrastructure solutions. From showcasing next-generation multifunction columns, that have up to 70% install savings, to powering the stand with Voltserver’s innovative power distribution solution.

A digital electricity solution that solely powered Constant Group’s unique active broadband cabinet, converted to serve coffee and draft beer which perfectly demonstrates the advanced design opportunities available for streetside furniture – tailored size, customisable racking, mix and match door options and key-free access solutions. Constant’s cabinet cooling system kept the draft beer at the perfect temperature too.

The Voltserver system also delivered fault managed power to the new range of EasyStreet fast deployment smart poles. Coupled with Constant Group’s innovative equipment housing cabinets. These were used to deliver actual FWA, CCTV and WIFI at Connected North. All using a hybrid fibre and power cable. Thus showcasing the versatility and innovation of the partnership.

Andrew Murphy, Head of Technical Operations for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport commented, “This week saw BDUK (Building Digital UK) spend some time at Connected North in Manchester – a great opportunity to engage with the wider telecoms sector, including our suppliers, service providers and infrastructure manufacturers.

He continued, “It was particularly interesting to engage with Constant Group and Swann Engineering Group Ltd both with a strong history of manufacturing within the North, it demonstrates the positive impact that a growing telecoms and technology sector can have on the wider economy.”

The last mile of connectivity is an ongoing technical and logistical problem for small and major network providers alike. The demonstrated turn-key solution offered by the partnership of Constant Group, Voltserver and EasyStreet Systems allows for any network provider to pick up and install an already integrated product into rural applications swifty and sustainably.

As a supplier to the big four major mobile networks and suite of fibre suppliers alike, Constant Group’s cabinets could also be seen across the expo floor on client’s stands.

Notably visitors will have seen an active cabinet complete with a cabinet management system on System in Technology’s stand which demonstrated how engineers can effortlessly access Constant Group’s enclosures without a key, all while maintaining a comprehensive audit trail through iLOQ technology. Constant Group had integrated SIT’s CMS system that can trace all aspects of the cabinets operation and its environmental status, both within and external.

David Gilligan, Constant Group’s Chief Technology Officer, commented “What a tremendous couple of days at Connected North where we made many new connections in the industry while also showcasing new products and solutions to existing customers.

David added, “We were excited to demonstrate our long-known belief that our products are innovative and forward thinking, which have been proven correct with conversations and bookings we had at the show – we’re excited to enable better connectivity throughout the UK through true partnerships.”

Connected North remains the best Northern exhibition to showcase the capabilities of Constant Group’s abilities to provide fit-for-purpose solutions to the telecom sector.

Andrew Murphy from Building Digital UK, concluded “There is a wealth of expertise and knowledge in and around The North along with some great opportunities to improve connectivity to the benefit of local communities, both rural and urban.”

BROOMFIELD, Colo.–April 30, 2024—As the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented speed, organizations are racing to keep pace with revamped cybersecurity strategies. Today, LogRhythm, the company helping security teams stop breaches by turning disconnected data and signals into trustworthy insights, announced the release of its report, “2024 State of the Security Team: Navigating Constant Change” based on research conducted by Dimensional Research. The report dives deep into the evolving digital landscape, unveiling 95% percent of companies reported they’ve altered their cybersecurity strategies within the last twelve months. As businesses worldwide grapple with ever-changing cyberthreats and regulatory mandates, this report stands as a testament to the resilience of security teams, providing insights into the challenging terrain of modern cybersecurity.

The research examined several facets of cybersecurity, drawing on insights from a global survey of 1,176 security executives and professionals across five continents. It explored the resources available to security teams, budget allocation, confidence in handling breaches, accountability for breaches, reporting capabilities, and the effectiveness of security communication within businesses.

Industry Headwinds Driving Changes Can’t Be Ignored by Executive Leadership

At the heart of these strategic shifts is the pivotal role of leadership within organizations. The perception of cybersecurity has changed from a purely technical issue to a central pillar of business strategy and corporate governance, with 78% stating that the cybersecurity leader or CEO—or both—are responsible for protecting against and responding to cyber incidents.

“The evolving role of cybersecurity leadership reflects a fundamental shift in how organizations view and manage cyber risk,” said Andrew Hollister, Chief Information Security Officer at LogRhythm. “Today’s threat environment demands a collaborative approach, with senior executives working hand-in-hand with security professionals to understand the risks, make well-informed, strategic decisions, and allocate the necessary resources to safeguard the organization and its clients.”

The top factors driving changes to security strategy include:

Keeping pace with the shifting regulatory landscape (98%)
The need to meet customer expectations for data protection and privacy (89%)
The rise of AI-driven threats and solutions (65%)

However, amid the shifting tides, effective communication between security teams and non-security executives remains a significant gap. Almost half (44%) of non-security executives don’t understand the regulatory requirements that the company must adhere to. Additionally, 59% report difficulties explaining the necessity of specific security solutions to non-security stakeholders, indicating a pressing need for enhanced reporting mechanisms to navigate the complexities of decision-making in the modern security landscape.

Budgets are Increasing, But Metrics to Measure Impact are Lacking

Amid the security evolution, 76% percent say they have experienced increases to their budget to better manage emerging threats and nearly 8 in 10 say they now have the right resources to defend their company from cyberattacks. Continuing positive news, 79% percent of security professionals now rate their security defense as either good or excellent.

It remains to be seen whether this is overconfidence, especially since security teams aren’t reporting on key operational metrics that define whether their security investments and strategy changes have a measurable impact. The research found that less than half of security teams are reporting on time to respond (49%), time to detect (48%), and time to recover (45%).

Even more concerning, the majority (61%) of security teams are still using manual and time-intensive approaches to share security status information. Security teams need to be armed with enhanced case management metrics and advanced analytics to make informed decisions quickly.

To download the full report or learn more about LogRhythm, please visit here.

Methodology

Executives and security professionals at medium to enterprise companies representing all seniority levels were invited to participate in a survey on their company’s security practices. The survey was administered electronically, and participants were offered a token compensation for their participation. 1,176 qualified participants completed the survey. All participants had enterprise security responsibilities. Participants were from over 20 countries across five continents. 

About LogRhythm

LogRhythm helps security teams stop breaches by turning disconnected data and signals into trustworthy insights. From connecting the dots across diverse log and threat intelligence sources to using sophisticated machine learning that spots suspicious anomalies in network traffic and user behavior, LogRhythm accurately pinpoints cyberthreats and empowers professionals to respond with speed and efficiency.

With cloud-native and self-hosted deployment flexibility, out-of-the-box integrations, and advisory services, LogRhythm makes it easy to realize value quickly and adapt to an ever-evolving threat landscape. Together, LogRhythm and our customers confidently monitor, detect, investigate, and respond to cyberattacks. Learn more at logrhythm.com.

Consumer adoption of eSIM technology continues to grow rapidly, according to exclusive market monitoring figures released today by Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA). The latest data shows that consumer eSIM profile downloads* more than doubled in 2023, increasing 109% year-on-year.

Growth was predominantly driven by accelerating adoption within the North American market, where the wide availability and demand for eSIM-only smartphone models has seen leading mobile operators transition to ‘digital-first’ strategies. Adoption rates also doubled across Asia and Western Europe.

Future growth in consumer eSIM adoption is expected to be boosted by the launch of eSIM-only smartphones across more regions, coupled with the broader availability of eSIM-enabled devices.  Rebounding levels of international travel —anticipated to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024—also stand to support increased uptake as consumers turn to eSIM for greater choice and convenience when roaming.

The overall upswing in consumer adoption was supported by significant ongoing investment in eSIM Subscription Manager (SM) platforms, which enable the remote provisioning and lifecycle management of eSIMs. The number of deployed consumer eSIM SM platforms rose by 25% in 2023 as mobile operators continued to bolster their digital capabilities.

“For technologies to be widely adopted, they must be safe and reliable, provide a great experience and, most importantly, deliver real value,” comments Bertrand Moussel, Chair of the TCA Board. “Our latest data makes it clear that wider eSIM availability is translating into strong adoption, with consumers across the world now realising the benefits of flexible and seamless connectivity.”

TCA provides exclusive statistical insight into the global SIM and eSIM ecosystem based on members’ market data, offering authoritative insight which is trusted by stakeholders across the mobile industry. Other key industry trends in 2023 included:

Strong Foundation for Growing eSIM Adoption Across Automotive and IoT Verticals

M2M eSIM adoption—predominantly focused across automotive use-cases—was also supported by a 12% increase in the deployment of M2M eSIM SM platforms.

Looking ahead, global standardisation efforts such as GSMA’s eSIM for IoT Specifications (SGP.31 and SGP.32) will play an important role in promoting increased eSIM adoption across IoT verticals. The specifications introduce new, dedicated features to meet specific IoT requirements, simplifying deployments at massive scale and addressing the challenges associated with remotely provisioning and managing constrained IoT devices. 

eSIM Volumes Resilient Despite Significant Economic Uncertainty

TCA is also the only organisation to offer a quantitative global view of eSIM shipment volumes, providing both actual and forecast data. eSIM shipments collectively reported by TCA members decreased marginally by 2% to 374 million units, with TCA estimating that the total available market for eSIM was 390 million units in 2023.

Notably, volumes remained stable in the face of strong macro-economic headwinds. Global inflationary pressures and the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis reduced overall consumer demand for smartphones and mobile subscriptions in 2023, though easing inflation towards the end of the year points towards a more positive outlook for 2024. The ongoing impact of the global chip shortage—which saw operators overstock in 2022 to mitigate potential supply chain pressures—also tempered demand but is anticipated to rebalance towards normal levels in 2024.

Digitalisation of the SIM Market Accelerates

The market for ‘traditional’ SIM was similarly shaped by broader macro-economic factors, with TCA estimating the total available market for SIM (excluding eSIM) reduced by 7% to 3.8 billion units in 2023. There was also a clear trend signalling the increasing digitalisation of the overall SIM market amid accelerating eSIM adoption in key regions such as North America.

Moussel adds: “As the evolution of the SIM ecosystem gathers pace, TCA is committed to bringing together stakeholders to address emerging opportunities and challenges. By collaborating on initiatives that increase interoperability, promote trust and support sustainable innovation across the secure connectivity ecosystem, the full promise of the global digital economy can be realised.” 

A breakdown of data collected through TCA’s member monitoring process is available via an annual subscription. For more information, please contact info@trustedconnectivityalliance.org.

For an ‘at-a-glance’ overview of the 2023 market data, view TCA’s Industry Insights infographic.

Notes to Editors

* eSIM profile downloads, also known as eSIM profile transactions, refers to the number of times a mobile operator profile was downloaded.