Why are operators scared by eSIM

Cellular operators spoke in chorus about dislike for eSIM, the next generation of SIM card form factor, which in a few years will be installed on every smartphone.

Everything was mixed up again, operators should not be afraid of eSIM - this is just an evolutionary form factor of a computer and the difference with the current version of SIM, like in a regular and electric kettle. In fact, everyone got scared of the standard Remote SIM provisioning , which the GSM association adopted as early as the beginning of 2016. The value of the standard in the regulation of the loading of the operator profile on demand. For example, by clicking in the application, you immediately leave from one operator to another while maintaining the number. Cheeseboarding eSIM begins when we start thinking about whose profile will be installed OEM in the smartphone.

Google and Apple already offer the user to choose which SIM card to work with - with their eSIM or second slot. Obviously, in the first scenario, corporations of good will offer to connect to their operators, which are not profitable by default in Russia and are suitable only for travel.
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Further, no one forbids operators to negotiate with OEMs on the use of OEM profiles, as is the case with installing applications by default. Further, it is unlikely that vendors will flash eSIM only with their services - GSMA or antitrust services simply will not allow it.

Another scenario is the emergence of independent service providers who will aggregate the profiles of mobile operators and connect users through their applications. Again, the GSMA standards are open and no one can forbid third parties to create such providers. In Russia, they already exist - TapMobile One has been working on downloading operator profiles on demand, as with classic form factors and for a year now, as with eSIM.

The most likely scenario for Russia is to create a single service provider, Remote SIM provisioning, under the wing of a conventional State Corporation and the emergence of many independent providers who can also become traffic sellers for virtual operators. Such a scenario is the most market-based and every second one will eventually have its own virtual operator.

Regulators worry about encryption in general is very surprising - the kettle is still a kettle, it boils water, the packaging has changed, and the SIM card and this is a computer.

We disperse and the most interesting is yet to come!