Among the many hardware-based technologies going virtual in recent years, SIM cards may be next in line.

An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded within the device enabling users to activate service plans from a telecom operator with a physical SIM card. “For consumers, eSIM introduces flexibility and accelerates the proliferation of network profiles because it enables connectivity to be embedded faster and more seamlessly,” Shahar Yaacobi, eSIM product lead at Amdocs, told SDxCentral.

The eSIM Consumer Pulse 2022, conducted by global market research firm Dynata, surveyed 2,500 consumers across the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. It revealed that 81% of customers are “either actively in favor or open to the idea” of eSIMs for all devices in the future, and that 58% consumers want their service provider to integrate the technology.

While the research suggests the user experience and sustainability aspects of eSIM is driving consumer interest, Amdocs also reports seeing involvement from telecom operators. “Original equipment manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung increasingly offer eSIM-enabled devices, while more than 200 MNOs in over 70 countries already provide eSIM provisioning and management,” Amdocs stated.

“Over the past two years in particular we’ve observed a mindset shift,” Yaacobi explained. “Major players including AT&T, Orange, Singtel, Vodafone and O2 Telefonica have embraced eSIM.”

“Just in the past week or so we’ve seen eSIM announcements from the likes of Vodafone Germany and T-Mobile US. We expect this momentum to continue to build as original equipment manufacturers move to offer more eSIM-enabled devices,” he added.

Yaacobi believes eSIMs bring significant value for telecom operators across multiple areas of business. “For MVNOs and open market channels, we’re talking about managing eSIM for wholesale activities and exposing eSIM capabilities to third parties,” he explained. “For enterprises, the focus is on managing employee devices and working with enterprise mobility management and mobile device management.”

“We’re seeing eSIM adoption accelerate across the telecoms sector, and we expect this behavior to continue as consumers and communications service providers become increasingly aware of the benefits and possibilities.” Group President of Technology and Head of Strategy at Amdocs Anthony Goonetilleke stated in the release.