SGP.32
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Last updated
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SGP.32 is the latest standard defining the Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) process for IoT devices, published by the GSMA in mid-2024. Embedded SIMs (eSIMs) – which are soldered directly onto devices – are becoming increasingly popular. While eSIMs improve durability and security, they remove the ability to physically swap SIMs. To address this limitation, a digital process was developed to update the SIM's "profile," allowing it to connect to different mobile networks over time.
Unlike consumer eSIMs, which are managed through user-friendly interfaces like QR codes or SMS verification, IoT devices face different challenges. They are often deployed in remote locations and operate under constraints such as minimal bandwidth, limited memory, and low power availability. The SGP.32 specification addresses these challenges by introducing three key components: the IoT Profile Assistant (IPA), the eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM), and the Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus (SM-DP+). Let’s discuss them one by one.
The IoT Profile Assistant is a software component that runs on the IoT device. When integrated directly into the SIM, it is referred to as IPAe (embedded IPA). Alternatively, when it resides on the device (typically within the cellular module) it is called IPAd (device-based IPA). The IPA acts as a local agent, communicating with one or more eIM instances to manage profiles.
The eIM is a cloud-based service that interacts with IPAs to manage SIM profiles. It interfaces with backend systems responsible for SIM provisioning and can instruct the IPA to enable, disable, delete, or download profiles.
Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus (SM-DP+)
The SM-DP+ is a cloud-based service which stores, encrypts, and delivers SIM profiles. Once requested by the eIM, the IPA downloads a new SIM profile from the SM-DP+ and provisions it to the eUICC.
