New embedded Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) technology could play a major role in accelerating the development and adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in the energy sector such as smart metering, demand response, energy data management and distributed resource management, says analyst firm Beecham Research. This follows the recent publication of a new report on the Embedded SIM specification by the GSMA – the telecoms industry body that represents nearly 800 mobile operators.
The report, ‘Benefits of GSMA Embedded SIM Specification for the Utilities Sector’ published by the GSMA in association with ESMIG and SIMAlliance and written by Beecham Research, highlights the benefits of the GSMA Embedded SIM Specification and potential impact on the utilities sector. Five important utility use cases were investigated, identifying 14 significant benefits for utilities. These are explored under four key headings – improving reliability and reducing site visits, improving security and trust, reducing cost and complexity, and reducing commercial risk and increasing commercial flexibility. For the first time, some of these benefits have also been quantified. The specification has already been introduced into the automotive and other sectors and over 20 mobile operators worldwide have launched commercial solutions.
The IoT market in the utilities sector is set to grow at a fast pace over the next decade, with an ever-growing number and diversity of devices and applications requiring communications capability. Furthermore, as national governments take a closer look at communications networks to support critical infrastructure it is likely that there will be new regulatory issues that require network updates. With remote access and management, the GSMA Embedded SIM Specification provides a system that caters for these new requirements at lowest cost.
To download a copy of the report:
http://www.beechamresearch.com
http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/embedded-sim-for-utilities