Analysis – eSIM is transforming enterprise mobility and IoT at scale

Once seen as a niche feature for digital nomads and international travellers, eSIM suddenly become a mainstream standard writes Jacques Bonifay, CEO and co-founder of Transatel and a pioneer of an early pioneer of eSIM technology

In September 2022, Apple changed the game by launching the first eSIM-only iPhone in the U.S. But the groundwork had been laid years earlier. When the GSMA introduced eSIM in 2016, it promised greater flexibility, streamlined logistics, and seamless connectivity.

Yet adoption was slow—until Apple’s bold move accelerated the shift. As of 2024, 271 consumer device models support eSIM across 123 countries, with more than 440 mobile service providers, including MVNOs, on board (GSMA Intelligence, 2024).

Still, the most significant impact is yet to come. While consumer adoption has surged, the real transformation lies in the enterprise space. eSIM is set to revolutionize global mobility, workforce connectivity, and IoT deployments at scale.

In today’s increasingly digital and borderless world, enterprises face growing challenges around data privacy, security, and cost control. eSIM technology offers a solution—enabling seamless, secure global connectivity that adapts to dynamic business needs.

This shift comes at a critical time. According to the 2024 United Nations Tourism Report, international travel surged to 1.1 billion tourists in the first nine months of the year—reaching 98% of pre-pandemic levels. The demand for scalable, flexible, high-performance connectivity solutions has never been higher, and traditional SIM-based models can no longer keep up.

eSIM now powers not only smartphones but also PCs, tablets, rugged devices, routers, and gateways—ensuring secure, uninterrupted connectivity across industries. From enterprise mobility to fixed wireless access (FWA), eSIM enables instant provisioning, network flexibility, and cost optimisation at scale, meeting the demands of today’s dynamic business environment.

Solutions like Ubigi for Business allow international workforces to stay productive, protected from public Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, and free from excessive roaming fees and the logistical headaches of switching network operators.

By using an embedded SIM as a secondary line, both international travellers and remote employees can retain their primary local number for voice and SMS—while accessing cost-effective data plans from international MVNOs. This eliminates the need to swap physical SIM cards, ensuring uninterrupted and affordable connectivity.

For global fleet managers, eSIM brings a major shift in operational efficiency. Traditional SIMs require physical replacement when switching networks—a time-consuming and costly process. eSIM eliminates this need. Fleet operators can now remotely manage and optimise connectivity across multiple regions, reducing downtime and administrative burden while maintaining consistent service.

eSIM is becoming the go-to connectivity solution

With its ability to scale effortlessly, eSIM is becoming the go-to connectivity solution across industries—from automotive and aviation to energy, logistics, and mobility. In the OEM space, the strategic partnership between NTT  and Cisco is redefining secure, cost-effective fixed wireless access in over 200 global markets. eSIM’s advantages—cost efficiency, scalability, and remote provisioning—are driving its adoption over traditional SIM cards, making it a cornerstone of next-generation IoT infrastructure.

This momentum is fueled by the rapid rollout of 5G and the evolution of connected vehicles and IoT devices. The global wireless connectivity market is booming, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.10% from 2021 to 2028.

The partnership between Transatel and Toyota in Latin America exemplifies this shift. Their collaboration is expanding Toyota’s in-vehicle digital ecosystem, enabling features like telematics, remote diagnostics, vehicle status monitoring, over-the-air updates, anti-theft solutions, and onboard Wi-Fi for infotainment.

eSIM is also a powerful tool for growth. Forward-thinking enterprises are leveraging it to launch branded mobile services, using reseller models from established operators. For MVNOs, switching from physical SIMs to eSIM brings clear advantages—centralized management platforms, over-the-air updates, faster time-to-market, and lower infrastructure costs. This enables them to unlock new revenue streams, stand out in a competitive market, and deliver greater value to customers.

 eSIM is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. Whether reducing costs or unlocking new monetisation opportunities, it is transforming how enterprises scale, reach new markets, and create value beyond traditional connectivity.

About Jacques Bonifay

Jacques Bonifay is the CEO of Transatel (an NTT company) and President of MVNO Europe since 2012. He co-founded Transatel in 2000, growing it from a cross-border MVNO startup into a global champion in M2M and IoT connectivity, as well as an MVNO enabler.