Japanese IoT platform provider Soracom has announced the commercial launch of its integrated SIM (iSIM) technology as well as an iSIM-compatible cellular module built off of the Murata type 1SC.

This marks Soracom’s third SIM format, with the connectivity provider also offering card-type SIMs and chip-type eSIMs, each of which grants access to Soracom’s cellular IoT connectivity platfom.

The commercial launch of iSIM technologies has been in the works since July 2021 and has been brought about thanks to partnerships with IoT chipset developer Sony Semiconductor, iSIM module manufacturer Murata, and iSIM security provider Kigen. Kigen’s iSIM operating system provides secure authentication services ensuring out-of-the-box connectivity for commercial iSIM applications.

ISIM technology integrates the functions of the communication module and SIM into a single system-on-chip (SoC). This helps IoT device manufacturers create more compact, lightweight and power-efficient devices, as fewer physical components are required.

Designing connected devices with a single, integrated product for the communication module and the SIM reduces procurement, logistics and storage costs. It also contributes to reduced environmental impact throughout the device manufacturing and sales lifecycle.

“We would like to express our gratitude to our partners for this exciting collaboration,” said Dima Feldman, vice president of Sony Semiconductor in Israel (altair.sony-semicon.com). “Through this innovative model, iSIM seamlessly connects the LPWA chipset to the Soracom network, simplifying the hardware design and onboarding experience for our customers. This approach is essential for driving the adoption of lower-power cellular IoT applications and we believe it will significantly enhance IoT device-makers engagement and satisfaction.”

The type 1SC module from Murata comes pre-installed with Soracom’s Plan01s subscription, letting users seamlessly connect to cellular networks worldwide. By using Soracom’s subscription container feature, these modules can access other Soracom data plans, such as the optimised-for-LPWAN PlanX3. Regardless of their selected plan, users will also gain access to Soracom’s connectivity tools that cover everything from data and device security to remote provisioning services and cloud integration.

“As an ultra-compact, low-power iSIM-compatible cellular LPWA communication module, our type 1SC module is a perfect fit for Soracom users,” said Hirokazu Nakae, general manager at Murata (murata.com). “Combining our miniaturisation technology with iSIM provides users with a quick and easy opution for deploying IoT services at scale.”

Vincent Korstanje, CEO of Kigen (kigen.com), added: “Thanks to our longstanding partnership with Soracom and our ecosystem partners, IoT device manufacturers now have instant access to our iSIM, accelerating developers’ speed to market and enhancing their ability to leverage global connectivity. This is a major milestone in supporting manufacturers with iSIM commercial general availability, globally.”

Soracom also offers an evaluation board kit for those interested in testing out iSIM integration before committing to a full deployment. This iSIM EVK can handle NTN-IoT services, as well as GNSS.

Soracom (www.soracom.io) is a technology partner to more than 20,000 startups, SMBs and enterprises, connecting more than seven million IoT devices globally.