New research shows eSIM installed base in IoT to top 3.6 billion by 2030 – Omdia

LONDON – eSIM technology is bringing greater efficiency to the cellular IoT market and empowering enterprises with greater flexibility and choice as shown in new research by Omdia.

Catalyzed by the GSMA SGP.31/32 specifications, eSIM technology is primed for mass adoption, particularly on LPWAN devices. With the complexity of switching between network profiles reduced, enterprises can take advantage of easier device management, greater network coverage, and improved commercial terms.

eSIM technology has been widely adopted in consumer markets, particularly with higher-end smartphones and smartwatches. Constraints on power, computing, and end user intervention have stymied the ability of IoT enterprises to take full advantage of this technology. Omdia believes that these hurdles are beginning to be reduced as solutions come to market. Advances in eSIM technology will drive adoption in IoT from just over 1 billion in 2023 to over 3.6 billion in 2030. 

The market is being driven not only by improvements in eSIM technology, but also by other key trends driving IoT adoption, such as 5G RedCap, 5G Massive IoT, and 4G LTE Cat-1bis modules, as well as enterprise demand.

Omdia's eSIM forecast is supported by primary data that Omdia collected during a survey of over 700 global IoT enterprises in which nearly 90% of respondents planned to adopt eSIM/iSIM technology over the next two years. Aside from the increased security IoT enterprises prioritize the benefits of eSIMs to create more complete/reliable networks, manage costs, and the ability to easily comply with local regulations. 

Read more in Omdia's eSIMs in IoT update and eSIMs in IoT Update: 2023 Forecast (subscription required).

Read the full press release here.

Omdia