Matt Hatton, Founding Partner at Transforma Insights explore the emergence of the new role in the IoT connectivity ecosystem of the eSIM orchestrator (eSO) and what functions they should optimally be delivering.
In November 2024, Transforma Insights unveiled its 2025 IoT ‘Transition Topics’, a set of key themes that would significantly influence the market landscape during the year. One of those Transition Topics related to ‘eSIM orchestration vs connectivity reseller’, which was defined as follows: “The imminent arrival of the SGP.32 ‘IoT’ standard for remote SIM provisioning in 2025 promises to trigger a new phase in the provision of IoT connectivity and in the associated roles. Specifically, we expect to see the role of IoT connectivity provider (MNO/MVNO) fragment into three main roles: network operator, reseller, and a new role of eSIM orchestrator, handling profile management and potentially integrating with a role of single-pane-of-glass (SPOG) connectivity abstraction platform.”
This article, based on a recently published Position Paper ‘eSIM Orchestration: Driving the Next Wave of IoT Connectivity’ in collaboration with Eseye, explores some of the key drivers for changes in the cellular-based IoT connectivity landscape, the emergence of the eSIM Orchestrator (eSO) role and explores the key roles for such a function.
What is driving the emergence of the eSIM Orchestrator?
The cellular IoT connectivity landscape is undergoing rapid transformation due to emerging technologies, new standards, stricter regulations, and shifting commercial models. A key driver of change is the introduction of the SGP.32 standard, enabling easier and more flexible remote SIM provisioning. The main impact is that SGP.32 introduces a new role, which we will term the ‘eSIM Orchestrator’ (eSO), which handles the remote management of the profiles on the device. With earlier versions (SGP.02 and SGP.22) this function was managed by the mobile network operator or directly by the user on the device. With SGP.32 this now happens remotely and with much more independence for the customer, with the user downloading a profile from any participating mobile network operator or virtual network operator.
