Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

eSIM is a standard set by the GSMA, the association representing mobile network operators worldwide. It can hold multiple mobile profiles simultaneously and can be re-configured ‘over the air’ (OTA) with profile selection rules. 

What are the key features of eSIM?

• Network providers can be changed without swapping out the SIMs.
• You can pick the tariff required based on the amount of data the customer needs and the country (or countries) that the SIM will operate in to reduce roaming costs.
• There is no faster way to gain access to 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT across multiple networks, than by using eSIM due to its inherent ability to be reprogrammed to support new networks and new technologies.

Fixed IP eSIMs

GSMA-compliant fixed IP eSIMs offer un-steered roaming coverage across multiple networks and negate the need for static private IP or NAT. Network-agnostic fixed IP eSIMs are a cheaper alternative to most single-network static IP SIMs, whilst also providing an insurance policy against switching-cost lock-in.

L2TP eSIMs

ISPs have used wholesale L2TP tunnels since the launch of ADSL broadband in the UK. Wholesale mobile access from eSIMs is available via L2TP. You can cross-connect at layer 2 directly into a resilient eSIM MVNO platform.

Jola

Jola is a global IoT MVNO, providing the UK’s first multi-network eSIM built for the channel. e-SIMs give partners ultimate choice and control, whilst solving the biggest mobile data problem facing their end users – how to automatically connect any device to any network, anywhere in the world.

GSMA-compliant eSIMs give Jola partners a truly un-steered, multi-network roaming connection. Network-agnostic eSIMs offer an alternative to MNO contract lock-ins and save customers the pain and expense of swapping out SIMs.

Jola has deployed a UK-based, resilient MVNO mobile core network, with global connectivity to over 450 networks in nearly 200 countries, and local connectivity with all four UK mobile networks. UK-based interconnects and breakout ensure the traffic stays in the UK.

Mobile Manager

Mobile Manager is our online management portal for ordering and managing estates of eSIMs. This white label portal communicates in real-time with 4G and 5G networks and can be used by both resellers and their end users. Mobile Manager handles eSIM activations, ceases, suspensions, reports, alerts and bolt-ons.

4G in Distribution

A shift towards online shopping has driven demand for fulfilment and distribution centres. These new spaces require reliable connectivity. Where no existing fibre is available, MSPs are turning to 4G.

MSPs are quoting online retailers for bespoke 4G connectivity packages, that exactly meet their requirements. They are offering solutions which can be pre-configured and delivered to multiple locations to meet tight deadlines.

MSPs are turning to Jola for their multi-network roaming eSIMs controlled in Mobile Manager. Jola has deployed a UK-based, resilient MVNO mobile core network, with global connectivity to over 450 networks and local connectivity with all four UK mobile networks.

MSPs partnering with Jola are offering truly un-steered, multi-network solutions, that can be re-programmed ‘over the air’ so that the customer always gets the best technical and commercial solution, whatever happens in the market. Data is managed within Mobile Manager, an online management portal for ordering and managing estates of SIMs globally.

Jola eSIMs are not what you might expect. They are not the eSIMs Apple use in watches. They are cost-effective, multi-network, roaming data, plastic SIM cards, which are un-steered.

With eSIM, resellers can beat the Mobile Network Operators on price, offer a differentiated multi-network product and still make a good margin. End customers don’t need expensive site surveys and they can’t be locked into uncompetitive, commercial terms by individual mobile networks. 

eSIMs give resellers a competitive edge over the mobile networks directly and are easy to sell and support. Resellers are partnering with Jola for wholesale eSIMs they can manage in Mobile Manager. Mobile Manager is Jola’s online management portal for ordering and managing estates of mobile data SIMs. Our white label portal communicates in real-time with multiple 4G networks and can be used by both resellers and their end users. Mobile Manager handles SIM activations, ceases, suspensions, reports, alerts and bolt-ons.

How can it transform your business?

Telecoms resellers looking to grow their businesses often add complementary products to their portfolio. They look for products which are easy to sell, will increase their average revenue per user and help them to win new business. eSIMs fit the bill as they give resellers the opportunity to win new business from existing customers in a variety of industries, as well as sell to new prospects.

Green technology is an integral part of our global energy infrastructure. There are over 341,000 wind turbines globally. MSPs are using IoT to help wind turbines operate with greater efficiency.

With their considerable height and large blades, modern wind turbines are instantly recognisable. When the wind blows, the turbine’s blades turn around a rotor. The rotor is connected to a main shaft, which in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity. Wind turbines are expensive and complex pieces of equipment that can include up to 1,000 sensors, actuators, integrating strain gauges, bearing monitors and power conditioning technology.

The turbine can control blade speed and power generation – a sophisticated task demanding numerous cooperating processors closing high-speed loops and implementing intelligent monitoring and optimisation algorithms.

There’s a lot that could go wrong during normal, everyday functioning. IoT is helping to remotely monitor and control wind turbines both in-land and off-shore. Cloud-based IoT analytics ecosystem platforms are being used to detect, diagnose and prognose faults in wind turbine components. Gaining a better understanding of wind turbine components in real-time helps to maximise turbine lifespan and minimise operating and management costs.

MSPs are looking to include eSIMs as part of their IoT solution for the following reasons:

Multi-network and un-steered

eSIMs offer the best possible service in any location. The eSIM will always enable devices to connect to the best available cellular network and customers can also manually select networks.

Cost-effective

Turbine companies are saving thousands by not requiring site surveys. eSIMs are competitively priced to help resellers compete with Mobile Network Operators.

Managed

eSIMs are managed within a white label portal, giving MSPs complete visibility and control over their entire estate of eSIMs globally.

4G back-up is not a new idea for ISPs. It makes sense to have a product that guarantees some form of internet connectivity when the primary circuit fails. The challenge has been the cost. If the service is not used, they are often still charged for the data allowance and if it is used, they are charged an exorbitant overage fee.

Jola is the first MVNO to launch a true Layer 2 product, designed specifically to meet the bespoke needs of UK ISPs, with no modifications to their edge network.

Mobile L2TP gives the ISP full control over routing and IP addressing, facilitating the creation of fixed-line failover, pre-ethernet and stand-alone internet access services. Mobile L2TP gives ISPs access to all four UK mobile networks and 450 networks globally.

ISPs can now interconnect at Layer 2 directly into the Jola eSIM MVNO platform in London (or any other AWS connected location in the world) – with the option of failover to a secondary location for the delivery of resilient services. The solution is inexpensive, reliable and straightforward to set-up. With un-steered multi-network eSIMs, ISPs are not tied to any particular network and no longer need to do a site survey to determine the best signal globally.

The market

Demand for mobile data is increasing, as connected devices become more popular.

Smart sensors enable better control and monitoring of variables, such as light, heat, motion, moisture and pressure. They collect data and display or transmit the information, as required.

Smart sensors are commonly used in homes and cities to measure utility usage and in fleet management to track assets, as well as controlling and monitoring environmental variables.

For companies involved in bids rolling out smart sensors globally, scale is both the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge, as the cost of changing SIMs in millions of devices can be prohibitively expensive.

eSIMs

eSIMs offer cost-effective, multi-network roaming connectivity, delivered via GSMA-compliant, removable or embedded data eSIMs. Jola’s eSIMs can roam over 450 networks globally as well as on EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 in the UK. They are managed in their unique ordering and management portal Mobile Manager.

Benefits

Jola’s eSIMs are un-steered and network agnostic. They enable devices to connect to the best available cellular network and are compatible with any device with a SIM slot.

eSIMs can be re-programmed ‘over the air’ so there is no need to send out engineers to swap out SIM cards manually.

Demand for multi-network 4G data is currently high, with health workers needing to access digital records remotely, and logistics companies needing to track deliveries internationally.

Continuous connectivity is required on the move, so a single network is not ideal. Data monitoring is also required, so customers can monitor their usage, to avoid data overage charges.

Multi-network

eSIMs offer the best possible service in any location. The eSIM will always enable devices to connect to the best, available mobile network. Jola’s eSIMs roam seamlessly over 450 networks in 190 countries, including EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three in the UK.

No need to travel to site to conduct surveys

Using multi-network eSIMs, end customers don’t need site surveys, as they no longer need to know the best network for each location.

Competitive

Jola's eSIMs are competitively priced to allow the channel to compete directly with the Mobile Network operators. Fixed IP eSIMs and L2TP eSIMs are also available.

Mobile Manager

Mobile Manager is our online management portal for ordering and managing estates of eSIMs. This white label portal communicates in real-time with 4G networks and can be used by both resellers and their end users. Mobile Manager handles eSIM activations, ceases, suspensions, reports, alerts and bolt-ons.

Resellers that need to run fixed IP addresses over mobile networks can now do so using a cost effective multinet eSIM from Jola.

eSIMs give MSPs and resellers ultimate choice and control, whilst solving the biggest mobile data problem facing their end users – how to automatically connect any device to any network, anywhere in the world.

GSMA-compliant fixed IP eSIMs offer un-steered roaming coverage across 450 networks and negate the need for static private IP or NAT. Network-agnostic fixed IP eSIMs are a cheaper alternative to most single-network static IP SIMs, whilst also providing an insurance policy against switching-cost lock-in.

Andrew Dickinson, Jola’s MD commented, “eSIM or eUICC technology is the key to unlocking the IoT and mobile data opportunity for the channel. Our fixed IP variant is the first of many product extensions, as we continue to invest in our eSIM MVNO. We believe every partner has at least one large IoT/M2M deal in their customer base and our mission is to help them find them – and win them.”

If you think an eSIM is just a virtual SIM in an iPhone, then think again. eSIMs  can come on a reel, ready for manufacturers, but mostly they are deployed by resellers and MSPs as a traditional, triple-cut plastic card.

Jola is the first company to become a global eSIM MVNO dedicated to the channel. We offer our partners a way to really differentiate their mobile data/IoT proposition. Jola partners are winning huge multi-site deals against incumbents and the mobile networks selling direct, with a network agnostic, multi-network, global roaming eSIM. 

Jola partners can win on price and still make a reasonable margin. This is because  we  buy direct from global data wholesalers, not local mobile networks. Using multinet eSIMs, end customers don’t need expensive site surveys and suppliers cannot use the high cost of switching, to lock them into uncompetitive commercial terms or legacy technologies.  

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Internet of Things Service Providers (IoTSPs) are uncovering more and more opportunities for multi-network, roaming eSIMs in vertical markets, such as construction, yachting, motorsports, transport, logistics and manufacturing.

End-users need 4G data in roaming devices such as mobile broadband routers, monitoring and tracking devices.

Competition is fierce

To win against the networks, Service Providers are looking for unique products and services, the networks can’t offer, such as multi-network roaming SIMs that are un-steered and will roam to all four networks in the UK and to hundreds of networks globally.

They need to be able to compete on price, so are looking for a great deal, they can make good margin on, which also saves their end-user money.

End users do not want to be tied to a network provider indefinitely. The cost and hassle of swapping out SIM cards is too great. MSPs and IoTSPs offering the ability to switch networks at the end of a contract, without swapping out SIMs, can save the end-user money now and at the end of their contract.

eSIMs

eSIMs give Service Providers back their edge over the retail mobile networks. They offer a truly un-steered, multi-network connection ensuring the customer is always getting the best technical and commercial solution, whatever happens in the market. They offer an alternative to retail mobile network contract lock-ins, saving customers the pain of swapping out SIMs.