Intrigues of e-SIM technology to Nigerian subscribers

By  Tony Nwakaegho

The telecommunication companies in Nigeria have been introducing different subscriber identification module (SIM) cards in the operation of its networks since inception of the industry, but the manufacturers of Smart Phone have been seen as acting smart with the advent of new SIM cards as new Smart phones are being churned out for customers. Nigeria being a great market for these companies, the need to examine the intrigues of these SIM card technologies come to the fore, writes Tony Nwakaegho.

 

The various telecommunications companies in Nigeria started with legacy plastic subscriber identification module (SIM) cards that are removable and very expensive at inception.

When traveling with this traditional SIM card, customers may have to swap to another carrier’s SIM card to keep his coverage. If a customer wants to change carriers at home, he or she will also have to physically replace the SIM card.

Basically, a SIM contains the information that authenticates a subscriber’s identity to a carrier. Meaning that the SIM card is what tells a carrier that a customer is who he or she is — and without it, carriers wouldn’t know that customers are subscribed to their network, and therefore, wouldn’t let them use their cell towers.

This removable SIM cards are still an integral part of modern mobile communications but due to technological advancements, small plastic cards are from time to time being  introduced, making it  appear that traditional SIM card is finally on its way out as  the electronic version (eSIM), a much smarter technology has just being introduced. Just like technology evolution is overtaking old technologies like 2G, and 3G, including the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology; it appears that the e-SIM is coming to displace SIM cards.

While removable SIM cards will continue to be the common way of enabling mobile communication in markets in the short-to-medium term, the eSIM technology, facilitated by the standardisation and specification work done by the GSM Association (GSMA) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), is expected to become prevalent over time due to its intrinsic benefits.

eSIM is described as an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC)  and defined by GSMA, the global association responsible for setting the overall telecommunication framework with approximately 800 mobile operators.

Compared to legacy plastic SIM cards that are removable, the eUICC can be soldered directly into the device. With the evolution of the eSIM/eUICC, it has been physically improved to be able to fit extreme environments like temperature, humidity, vibration and water-resistant.

One of the key requirements is that eSIMs must adhere to the same security specifications as current SIMs.

One of the great benefits eSIM brings to consumers, Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and enterprises, is flexibility. As a key component of connectivity services, eSIM makes the selection, contracting, and onboarding of CSPs easier. Consumers do not need to look for CSPs and go to CSP shops to buy SIM cards.

eSIM consumers and enterprises can continue to enjoy all legacy SIM services such as roaming services, local breakout services, or SIM applets with multi-International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) services when and where it is applicable.

eSIM can also trigger a localization service with the flexibility to choose a new local CSP to remotely provision and activate a new subscription to the device when needed, over the air.

This flexibility truly enables global device manufacturers to rely on a single global eSIM to be able to connect all their devices globally.

Gentechnews recalls that Nano SIMs were launched in 2012 as the next generation of SIM card, but the SIM card evolution has now reflected miniaturization as the eSIM was launched globally in 2016.

In Nigeria, MTN launched its eSIM  service on July 15, 2020 and during a virtual launch, Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mazen Mroue, explained the idea behind this, the technicality of activation on devices, and possible connectivity with other smart devices.

Mroue said “Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs are built into smartphones, devices, and wearables. They support multiple profiles and allow customers to connect multiple numbers to their eSIM devices.

“Notwithstanding the sophistication of eSIMs, the onboarding requirements are the same as required for a physical SIM. Hence, SIM registration, in line with existing regulatory prescriptions, remains a requirement for activating a device embedded with an eSIM”.

It was also gathered that for the next year, only 5000 subscribers can enjoy the service as it is still in the trial stage in Nigeria.

Finding shows that subscriber data, which is programmed into an eSIM during the registration process, can be reprogrammed to another network provider later.

By implication, roaming on a local network outside the country might no longer be necessary because switching networks will be easier.

During the first step of the activation process, compatible phones are used to scan a QR code assigned to the eSIM and as part of the requirements the telco will have to provide a user interface for the subscriber, probably in the form of an app.

So far, it has been discovered that fewer phone brands like Google, Apple, Samsung, Huawei, NUU Mobile, Microsoft, Lenovo, and a few PC brands have this software on some of their devices, so if you use these phones, you’re eligible for MTN’s eSIM trial.

Globally, only a few countries support the eSIM services but as a way of checking eSIM compatibility on Android phones, Google has an eSIM manager app on the Play Store which shows whether a phone has the software, while another option is to visit any designated MTN service centre to confirm.

Some experts have posited that what could delay the adoption of eSIMs in Nigeria is the ownership of compatible devices because there is still a huge consumer market for feature and traditional phones in the country.

The recent approval granted by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to MTN and 9mobile to run a one-year trial test of the embedded Subscriber Identification Modules (eSIM) on their networks, has been described as a boost for development in advancing the country’s telecoms network, as well  as part of preparation for achieving the digital transformation goals of Nigeria.

However, NCC also approved a three-month trial of national roaming service for MTN and 9mobile, that will enable the two mobile network operators (MNOs) to carry out trial on national roaming service for a period of three months, which commenced from August 1, 2020 and ended October 31, 2020.

Industry experts opined that the latest development on eSIM and the regulatory role played by NCC will put the country among the League of Nations deploying cutting-edge technologies which is in tandem with emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G deployments, among others.

The experts have also mulled that eSIMs will take over mobile devices because it  provide a new level of convenience and accessibility for everyone, adding that as long as a carrier supports the eSIMs and a customer’s phone supports them, then that may be all a customer needs to start using the new technology that will enable the subscriber switch from one network to another, without the use of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM card).

Interestingly, they said some phones with eSIMs still have traditional SIM card slots and that this duo could work together.

Investigation has revealed that eSIM is much easier to manage than any of the alternatives whether a customer is traveling, switching carriers, or upgrading his phone.

Industry stakeholders have argued that once MTN and 9mobile successfully complete the one year trial of eSIM on their networks, other MNOs like Globacom, Airtel and ntel, will certainly introduce eSIM on their networks, as soon as they get regulatory approval from NCC.

In a telephone chat with Gentechnews, the immediate past president of ATCON, Engr Teniola Olusola said “the e –SIM is good because national roaming is a good feature for GSM. 9mobile and MTN are on trial for three months and we will encourage other telcos to do the same.”

Speaking in the same vein, the National President, National Association of Telecom Subscribers, (NATCOMS),Deolu Ogunbanjo said  “the moment we go to 5G then 4G will come in place that is why we want the fifth generation network (5G). There are still some 2G, 3G, 3.75G, 4G phones in the market and immediately the manufacturers see that 5G is going to be deployed then 4G will come in place.  The manufacturers will ensure that subscribers buy the 4G and get it upgraded to 5G when it come in or manufacture phones that are 5G compliant. The electronic SIM  then will also adjust to whatever technology that is available.”