The Surge of eSIM, iSIM, and RedCap Device Deployments in IoT Applications

One of the greatest challenges that providers and operators of IoT devices have faced for many years has been the technological limitations that required manual configuration of SIM cards embedded in devices before they could be connected to the operators’ network. The resulting logistics hurdles and need for manual intervention generated substantial costs and made large-scale deployments difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, this is quickly changing with the introduction of new GSMA standards and leaner, more affordable hardware architectures. How will those specifications influence the IoT landscape in the near future?

Goodbye user interface – welcome zero-touch provisioning

Earlier this year, we witnessed the commercial adoption of the GSMA SGP.32 standard, which serves as a catalyst for achieving true zero-touch provisioning at a massive global scale. The new standard significantly simplifies the configuration and transfer of operational profiles for remote devices, without relying on the SMS protocol or user interfaces, regardless of whether they use LTE-M or NB-IoT. Thanks to this breakthrough, the large-scale deployment and management of millions of connected devices is possible without expensive, time-consuming field interventions.

Industry analysts explicitly project that by 2027, over 50 million globally managed devices will be fully compliant with this standard, meaningfully lowering adoption barriers in critical sectors such as smart metering and extensive maritime logistics. Rigorous long-term projections further indicate that by 2030, at least one-third of all cellular-connected networks will rely heavily on this embedded technology, pushing the total volume of these intelligent connections well beyond 2 billion worldwide.

In-Factory Profile Provisioning and Discovery

Beyond remote provisioning, the SGP.42 (Technical Specification) and its related SGP.41 (Architecture and Requirements) standards aim to enable the secure loading of an operator profile directly onto the device on the production line in the form of eSIM or iSIM. This process is often referred to as IFPP (In-Factory Profile Provisioning). Consequently, such implementation eliminates the need to load
a so-called bootstrap profile onto the SIM and removes the requirement for in-field eSIM activation,
which is an energy-intensive process. The specification for architecture and requirements (SGP.41) has
already been published. The finalization of the full SGP.42 technical specification (which enables
commercial deployments) is anticipated for the third quarter of 2026.

For utility operators and logistics commanders managing remote infrastructure across harsh environments, these protocols represent a massive operational leap in streamlining complex global supply chains while perfectly preserving the critical battery capacity of deployed remote sensors well before they ever leave their designated manufacturing facilities.

Autonomous operations driven by software logic

The new standards allow for swift scaling from managing individual physical SIM cards to operating entire connected device fleets as a comprehensive service, meaning network operations are becoming 99% software-driven. To accommodate this shift, the Connectivity Management Platform market is transforming into a deeply autonomous ecosystem designed for maximum efficiency. Modern management platforms, such as Comarch Communications IoT Connect platform, are being engineered to automatically (and in some cases fully autonomously) make operational decisions: when and why to switch a profile to reduce costs, improve coverage, or ensure compliance with local regulations (e.g., permanent roaming regulations in a given country).

This unprecedented level of autonomy uncovers hidden efficiencies across global networks, effectively elevating the connectivity management platform from a passive monitoring tool into a proactive strategic asset that autonomously safeguards uptime and profitability.

Smaller, more affordable IoT hardware

The dynamics and scale of IoT market growth are also influenced by the new iSIM and RedCap technologies. Integrated SIM (iSIM), built directly into the System-on-Chip, ensures a drastic size reduction by eliminating the need for a separate eSIM chip and also lowers the energy consumption. As a result, we can expect the rise of ultra-compact, more affordable devices: small sensors, advanced GPS trackers, and medical wearables. This technology will displace traditional, soldered eSIMs (MFF2), especially in devices where size and energy are critical considerations.

Furthermore, in the near future, 5G Standalone (SA) networks will increasingly support RedCap (Reduced Capabilitity) technology that provides the reliability and most benefits offered by 5G (such as immediate readiness for advanced network slicing), but uses less complex and energy-demanding devices. Module manufacturers will massively introduce affordable RedCap chipsets to the market, eventually taking over the role currently held by LTE Cat-1 and Cat-4. It will thus become the default standard for most new IoT deployments requiring mobility.

A vision for autonomous IoT infrastructure

As enterprise leaders reflect on the ongoing evolution of industrial networks, it becomes evident that the true discovery lies in seamlessly blending advanced hardware miniaturization with profound software autonomy. The transition toward embedded and integrated protocols alongside the rapid adoption of Reduced Capability chipsets marks the definitive end of manual physical interventions in vast operational fleets. Sophisticated Connectivity Management Platforms are crucial for scaling deployments in a controlled, secure manner, enabling decision-makers to confidently deploy large numbers of intelligent sensors worldwide without sacrificing security or regulatory compliance.

Ultimately, the organizations that recognize and harness these software-defined zero-touch ecosystems will dramatically outpace their competitors by transforming raw global connectivity into a silent and fully autonomous engine of continuous operational excellence.