eUICC stands for Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card. It’s the SIM operating system that enables secure, remote provisioning and management of multiple mobile operator profiles. Using GSMA-defined Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), profiles can be downloaded, activated, or switched over-the-air (OTA).
This capability offers significant flexibility for IoT deployments by enabling carrier switching and profile updates without physically replacing the SIM.
eUICC is a software capability and can be implemented on various SIM form factors—including embedded SIMs (MFF2), removable SIMs, and integrated SIMs (iSIM). While eUICC is required for standards-based remote provisioning, some providers make OTA profile updates possible even on traditional UICC cards using proprietary infrastructure.
How eUICC Works
eUICC SIMs use secure provisioning protocols defined by the GSMA, which allow:
- Remote profile downloads
- Profile activation and deactivation
- Profile deletion
This is enabled via a Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) architecture, typically involving:
- SM-DP / SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager – Data Preparation)
- SM-SR (Subscription Manager – Secure Routing), for M2M
- Local profile assistant (LPA) for consumer devices with UI
This allows a single SIM to host multiple operator profiles and switch between them without physically replacing the SIM or changing device configurations.
eUICC Standards
| Specification | Primary Use Case | Description |
| SGP.02 | Early M2M eSIM deployments | The original GSMA spec for M2M eSIM provisioning. Operator-controlled, suited for devices without user interfaces. |
| SGP.21 / SGP.22 | Consumer Devices | Defines the architecture (SGP.21) and procedures (SGP.22) for eSIM provisioning in consumer devices like smartphones and tablets. |
| SGP.31 | IoT / M2M | A lightweight framework designed for constrained IoT devices. Introduces the IoT Profile Assistant (IPA) and eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM). |
| SGP.32 | IoT / Enterprise at Scale | Builds on SGP.31 with asynchronous provisioning, stronger security, and scalable support for managing large device fleets. Supports IPA in the device or in the eUICC. |
Benefits of Using eUICC SIMs
Global Scalability – One SIM SKU can support multiple regions via remote profile provisioning.
Regulatory Compliance – Provision local profiles to comply with roaming restrictions in regions like Brazil or Turkey.
Operational Efficiency – Simplifies deployments and eliminates SIM swaps through over-the-air (OTA) profile management.
Network Resilience – Switch between networks based on predefined policies or performance conditions.
Secure Lifecycle Management – Standards-based encryption ensures secure provisioning and updates.
SGP.32-Ready – Designed for modern IoT needs, SGP.32 enhances all of the above with lightweight profiles, async operations, and better profile orchestration.
Challenges with eUICC SIMs
Operator Integration Overhead – Each new carrier profile often requires separate agreements, provisioning setups, and SLAs.
Provisioning Data Costs – Downloading full profiles can consume significant bandwidth, especially in LPWAN or constrained environments.
License & Platform Fees – Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) infrastructure and SIM licensing may increase the total cost of ownership.
Operational Complexity – Managing multiple profiles, compliance rules, and switching logic across devices requires robust coordination.
SGP.32 helps address many of these issues with more efficient provisioning and IoT-specific architecture, but it’s not a complete solution — profile and vendor complexity still exist at scale.
Velocity IoT’s Multi-IMSI Approach with eUICC
Velocity IoT uses a multi-IMSI strategy within the first eUICC profile, providing access to multiple operator profiles without requiring full downloads each time. This reduces provisioning costs, removes the need for direct MNO agreements, and gives customers centralized control through Velocity IoT’s platform. Have questions about eUICC and multi-IMSI for your IoT deployment? Contact Us