French IoT module company Sequans and English IoT connectivity firm Eseye, have joined forces to deliver universal iSIM – integrated eUICC – connectivity targeting the GSMA eSIM M2M standard.

This should reduce the complexity and cost of IoT deployments providing assured and continuous connectivity across multiple countries, carriers and networks, without changing or adding physical eSIMs. It ensures enterprises that their devices will remain connected with a high level of security and consistent quality of service for increased device uptime, even if underlying carrier contracts change or expire.

Advantages for device design include increased security, reduced power consumption, and reduced space and cost due to fewer components on the PCB.

The combined Sequans-Eseye offering provides enterprises with coverage insurance by allowing a company to activate the integrated eSIM and switch carriers at any time, either pre- or post-deployment.

Eseye’s AnyNet+ eSIM and IoT connectivity service provide connections to regional carriers, delivering nearly 100 per cent uptime to devices anywhere in the world. With EasySwap and AnyNet in one offering, businesses can extend their asset lifetimes and improve RoI by connecting to alternative connectivity providers dynamically, with no interruption in service.

In the pre-deployment phase for those considering combined module and global connectivity for their IoT devices, EasySwap provides pre-certified global connectivity that reduces cost and can be embedded in the device right from the start with little testing.

In the post-deployment phase for those who have already designed and deployed their IoT devices with the Sequans Monarch module with EasySwap embedded, perhaps using an alternative connectivity provider, Eseye’s AnyNet connectivity service will stay reliably connected even if there is a drop in connectivity when changing carriers.

The package offers MNO customisable connectivity over-the-air through remote SIM provisioning, with flexibility to choose from a range of North American networks to enable localised connection across the USA and Canada. This ensures any IoT user can enjoy a smooth operation of their integrated eSIM, and be provided access to further roaming and localised capability across the world to ensure any IoT deployment complies with global regulations.

“Our collaboration with Eseye has resulted in elegance for enterprises who are now relieved of the burden of managing multiple connectivity providers and all the complexity that goes with it,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “With EasySwap, an IoT business can switch to another network quickly and seamlessly, and we are very pleased to offer this universal connectivity.”

Nick Earle, Eseye CEO, added: “This ground-breaking joint offering with Sequans gives enterprises easy access to Eseye’s award-winning and highly resilient global connectivity service, allowing them to reduce initial costs by eliminating the need for a physical SIM, and by creating huge downstream RoI by being able to switch networks to avoid roaming restrictions. Sequans EasySwap with Eseye’s advanced eSIM and AnyNet connectivity transforms how enterprises deploy IoT devices anywhere in the world at scale with complete connectivity assurance that delivers near 100 per cent device uptime.”

How it works is that a user will select a Monarch 2 GM02S module with EasySwap, which enables the integrated eSIM (ieUICC). The user executes a contract with Eseye as a universal connectivity provider and then activates their device. Eseye manages network switching as required to maintain connectivity and regulatory compliance.

Features include: EAL5+ security for integrated eSIM; preloaded Eseye eUICC multi-IMSI profile to future-proof connectivity; localisation to networks in North America and, in the future, European networks such as Three; over-the-air remote SIM provisioning with step-two provisioning; powered by Kigen eSIM OS; backwards compatible with external SIM, including traditional SIM cards or soldered SIMs swapping between them with a simple AT command; and reduced carbon footprint for sustainable IoT.

Sequans and Eseye will be extending the end-to-end offering to selected customers beginning this month.

Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France, with offices in the USA, UK, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea and China.

• Sequans and Thales are partnering to bring to market an iSIM supporting the latest GSMA SGP.31/.32 eSIM IoT specifications on the Monarch 2 chip. The new version of the GSMA standard leverages industry experience with GSMA’s M2M and consumer eSIM architectures to bring a more advanced remote SIM provisioning architecture that is suitable for any IoT device. This gives service providers, OEMs and ODMs more flexibility to manage manufacturing, deployment and operations of massive fleets of IoT devices without heavy investment.

By porting the Thales secured OS with remote SIM provisioning functionality into the Monarch 2 chip with its EAL5+ certified secure enclave, Thales and Sequans are bringing to market an optimised iSIM technology for IoT devices that simplifies connectivity plan provisioning and management.