Thales launches world’s first GSMA certified iSIM (Integrated SIM) with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Mobile Platform
- The launch of the world’s first security-certified iSIM by the GSMA (Global Association for the Mobile Communications Industry) by Thales and Qualcomm will enable smartphones to offer a space-saving approach to flexible – remotely updatable – mobile connectivity.
- The integrated SIM form factor is extremely attractive to device manufacturers looking to develop compact and cost-effective smartphones as well as other connected devices such as tablets and wearables.
- Global iSIM shipments are expected to reach 300 million[1] by 2027 and is intended to complement the SIM and eSIM market offering.
Industry-leading innovators Thales and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announce the certification of the world’s first commercial-grade iSIM (Integrated SIM) on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, enabling the functionality of a SIM in the main processor of a smartphone. Such security certification of the GSMA2 confirms that the iSIM supports the same high standards of cyber protection and flexible “anytime, anywhere” connectivity offered by the latest generation of embedded SIMs (eSIMs).
The new iSIM can now offer device manufacturers further opportunities to save space, reduce construction and supply chain costs while maintaining best-in-class security levels.
Just like Thales’ eSIM, the new iSIM is fully compatible with the GSMA Remote SIM provisioning standard; This means that its subscriptions can be managed remotely via all standard platforms.
The emerging iSIM form factor complements existing SIM and eSIM designs, and research suggests that the market share will grow to 300 million by 2027, representing 19% of all eSIM shipments, according to Kaleido Intelligence.
Guillaume Lafaix, Vice President Embedded Products at Thales Mobile and Connectivity Solutions called: “The world’s first security certification of an iSIM by the GSMA goes back to several years of intensive development work by Qualcomm Technologies and Thales. Alongside the increasingly popular eSIM, the Thales 5G iSIM gives device manufacturers and mobile operators even more freedom to offer their customers effortless over-the-air connectivity and more exciting and accessible product designs.”
“We are very pleased that our investment in highly secure processor hardware security, in partnership with Thales, meets the security and functional threshold required by the GSMA for the UICC Remote Provisioning use case. We believe that a tamper-resistant element integrated into the host processor can efficiently enable innovative use cases across many markets and product segments,” calledZiad Asghar, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Alex Sinclair, GSMA Chief Technology Officer, adds“The GSMA is committed to promoting a security-first culture throughout the mobile ecosystem to ensure that the benefits of mobile connectivity can be securely enjoyed by all. The GSMA eUICC Security Assurance Scheme ensures that eSIM products, whether embedded or discrete, have the highest possible level of security. In addition, we are pleased that our processes enable manufacturers to go to market faster and create new product types such as the integrated SIM card. iSIM increases mobile capacity deployment opportunities and caters to a broader and more diverse market.”
Learn more about iSIM
1 kaleido Intelligence, “eSIM Market Forecast Report 2022” https://roaming.kaleidointelligence.com/esim-connections-to-exceed-4-5-billion-in-2027-driven-by-an-expanding-consumer-market-kaleido-intelligence/#:~:text= Kaleido%20expects%20%20%20to be GSMA%2D compliant,19%25%20of%20total%20eSIM%20shipments.
2 GSMA eUICC Security Assurance certification.