eSIMs are major disruptors in the communication industry. Their ability to simplify changing networks is an absolute game-changer. Now, people can enjoy seamless connectivity in the most remote places.
With a record number of compatible devices, it’s an exciting time to adopt the technology. It’s estimated that there are well over 72 million eSIM Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the US alone. It’s an unprecedented growth, fuelled by new innovations in the IoT space.
As such, businesses must keep an open mind on how eSIMs can help them. You can then seize new opportunities in this innovative tech space.
But aren’t eSIMs used for smartphones? Can a business adopt them in a meaningful way? And just how can an IoT device adopt an eSIM card?
Let’s explore some of the benefits eSIMs can bring to your IoT devices. Using real-life examples will help you better understand their potential.
Five benefits of eSIM technology in IoT devices
Below are the five main areas where eSIMs are already proving to be a fantastic asset to businesses:
1. eSIMs are a flexible, convenient answer to connectivity
eSIMs have surged in popularity because of their flexibility and convenience. These digital SIM cards simplify changing network operators while on the move. That alone is a huge boon to workers.
With smartphones, travelers can connect overseas and use data with no obstacles. If, for instance, you found the best eSIM for the UK, you could enjoy data across the entire United Kingdom. From London to Belfast, Edinburgh to Cardiff, the eSIM will do all the heavy lifting to connect you to the best local networks.
Like smartphones, eSIMs can support how and where you can use IoT devices. Businesses can manage the connectivity of devices in bulk. And because eSIMs don’t need a physical SIM, all the installation, management, and network changes can be done remotely.
2. eSIMs are already compatible with a range of devices
When adopting something new, one thing businesses must address is compatibility. With eSIMs, you’ll no doubt wonder if they are easy to install. Can current and future IoT devices benefit from them? Are they a safe investment? How futureproof is the technology?
You’ll be glad to know that the future is bright with eSIMs. Juniper Research estimates that by 2028, there will be over 1.3 billion eSIM IoT connections worldwide. As such, if you invest in an eSIM device, trust that it can and will be useful well into the future. By adopting them now, you are setting yourself up for future success.
3. eSIMs are cost-effective
Another benefit of using an eSIM is that it is cost-effective. Before their introduction, businesses were at the mercy of buying local SIM cards for their connectivity needs. Think about it – that’s a brand new card for every device you want to connect.
eSIMs help eliminate overpaying for your connections. You no longer have to buy single-use SIMs for each device. Instead, you can connect them to local networks with the click of a button.
No long-term contracts mean you can always scale your eSIM spending as and when you need it. Data is charged at local rates, meaning you’re getting a fair price for your service. And as plans are prepaid, you are still in total control over your spending.
But what if you need more data? Or change location? An eSIM does not penalize you for switching networks. You can change your plan, including topping it up with extra data, at any moment.
4. eSIMs promise enhanced security on IoT devices
eSIMs have many fantastic security features and protocols in place, making them just as safe, if not safer, than physical SIM cards. Connections enjoy advanced encryption, which protects data both sent and received.
Stringent authentication processes ensure that only the owner can make changes to it. As businesses control eSIMs remotely, you can monitor devices worldwide. If you need to turn off and wipe a device, you can do so without physically being there.
Finally, because eSIMs are embedded, they are tamper-proof. Unlike physical SIM cards, which can be removed from a device and altered, eSIMs enjoy total protection within a device. Altogether, these features give businesses peace of mind if there is a potential breach, IoT devices are controllable.
5. eSIMs can help reduce the size of future devices
When it comes to IoT devices, size matters. Whether it’s remote security cameras, phones, or IoT sensors, you want them to be as small and compact as possible.
Because eSIMs remove the need for a physical SIM card, card compartments don’t need to be installed on devices, leading to sleeker designs all around. This change in design allows them to fit conveniently within a work environment and can reduce their cost.
How are industries leveraging eSIM technology?
Knowing the benefits of eSIMs is easy. However, seeing how IoT devices effectively leverage the technology can be difficult. Below are some exciting examples across different industries to consider:
Healthcare – from monitoring devices to inventory management
The healthcare industry is hugely embracing eSIMs. Using them in IoT devices, medical staff can now treat patients remotely. The eSIM ensures monitoring devices have a constant, reliable connection, allowing doctors and nurses to read results in real time and change treatment plans if needed.
Patients living far away won’t need to travel long distances for routine checkups. Furthermore, many healthcare facilities use eSIMs IoT devices to manage medical inventory. These devices can help streamline purchasing, invoicing and more. With their help, busy medical professionals will always have essential stock on hand.
Energy sector – streamlining asset management and maintenance
eSIMs can gather and analyze data in real-time. As such, they’re great at managing and inspecting assets remotely. Take the energy industry as an example. Engineers are already using eSIM IoT devices to check remote energy infrastructure. They can diagnose problems on energy grids in a fraction of the time.
Moreover, eSIMs can also help optimize energy across an entire network. Smart meters and sensors, for example, can track energy efficiency. These indicators can give businesses critical information on where to repair or maintain equipment. Ultimately, eSIMs can help them minimize loss and maximize resources.
Agriculture – monitoring crops and streamlining maintenance
Another industry benefiting from eSIM IoT devices is agriculture. Farmers can use drones with integrated IoT technology to inspect their land, survey crops, track soil conditions, or compile weather reports.
In livestock and dairy farming, eSIMs can be used to manage herds. Farmers can monitor their animals’ health and well-being remotely. If placed on an animal, an eSIM IoT device can ensure animal location tracking if it goes missing or is stolen.
The future of smart technology is in eSIMS
eSIMs are more than just a hip tech trend. They offer reliable connectivity at an affordable rate and are disrupting industries worldwide. When combined with IoT devices, eSIMs reach an entirely new level of usefulness.
From travel to healthcare and agriculture to energy production, there is no end to their possibilities. As technology evolves, expect even more sophisticated IoT devices to appear. The time is now for savvy businesses to adopt eSIMs and capitalize on new opportunities.