What is eSIM Device Validation and Why Does It Matter?

eSIM technology adoption continues to gain momentum throughout both the IoT and consumer markets. In a March 2021 report, GSMA Intelligence predicts that 2.4 billion smartphone connections worldwide will use eSIM by 2025.

With its many benefits, it’s easy to see why the adoption of eSIM technology continues to grow. For companies looking to future-proof their global connectivity with eSIM, one detail that should not be overlooked is eSIM device validation.

What is eSIM device validation?

In short, eSIM device validation tests a device’s eSIM interoperability before it is deployed to the field. Failure to detect and identify device eSIM functionality issues can spell disaster for IoT projects, as well as any related business initiatives.

This technical testing ensures a device can operate in an eSIM environment and is uniquely designed to check a device’s eSIM-to-network compatibility, including critical over-the-air Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) operations.

How does it work? 

Validating eSIM devices can be done a couple of different ways, either by sending devices to a third-party to have testing done by experts in IoT connectivity or through a self-service tool that is integrated with a connectivity management platform.

Regardless of which method is used, eSIM device validation should, at a basic level, run a simple diagnostic using one eSIM command to ensure a device's connectivity has not been affected. Ideally, a more thorough check of a device's compatibility with the eSIM protocol should be done, comprising of:

• Connectivity tests – APN and configuration verification, connectivity testing with multiple carriers, network registrations, and more.
• Remote subscription management – eUICC device profile audits, profile downloads into the device, and device profile enabling and disabling, among others.
• Optional custom tests may include LTE Cat-M and NB-IoT verification, over-the-air (OTA) remote file management, and more.

KORE eSIM Technology

KORE provides a full suite of coverage and eSIM technology solutions that give companies the flexibility they need to deploy future-proof, global, multi-networked connectivity. KORE enables our eSIM customers  to validate devices quickly and easily with the KORE eSIM Device Validation Tool.

This award-winning self-service tool, which is included with the free KORE eSIM Starter Kit, allows users to validate devices in under 15 minutes, instead of shipping them and waiting weeks for them to be returned. The result is streamlined connectivity for the entire lifecycle of an IoT deployment.

To learn more about the benefits of leveraging eSIM technology for your IoT solution, download our free eBook, “eSIM 101: An Introduction to eSIM Technology for IoT.”