A new Juniper Research study found that the number of eSIMs installed in connected devices will increase from 1.2 billion in 2021, to 3.4 billion in 2025 – representing 180 per cent growth, led by the consumer segment. In the industrial realm, key areas of focus for eSIM adoption will be Oil& Gas, Manufacturing, and Logistics, the report predicts.

As modules embedded directly into devices, eSIMs provide cellular connectivity and are capable of storing multiple network operator profiles.

The new research – ‘eSims: Sector Analysis, Emerging Opportunities & Market Forecasts 2021-2025’ – independently assessed eSIM adoption and demand in the consumer sector, industrial sector, and public sector. 

The study from Juniper Research predicts that the consumer sector will account for 94 per cent of global eSIM installations by 2025. It anticipates established adoption of eSIM frameworks from consumer device vendors, such as Apple and Google, will accelerate growth of eSIMs in consumer devices ahead of the industrial and public sectors.

Consumer market is key to fulfilling eSIM potential

The research found that global eSIM deployments across all consumer verticals will increase by 170% over the next four years, with widespread adoption reliant on backing from network operators. It urges device manufacturers to place pressure on operators to support eSIM frameworks and accelerate market maturation. 

However, a fragmentation of hardware vendors in the cellular IoT device market will require each vertical to adopt a combination of wireless technologies, hardware, and management tools. In turn, it predicts that specialist vendors will emerge that provide robust eSIM form factors for industrial environments.

eSIM opportunities across industrial sectors

The study identified three key areas of focus for eSIM adoption in the industrial sector: Oil & Gas; Manufacturing; and Logistics.

 

It suggests that the development of rugged form factors will position vendors well to capitalise on the market, as eSIM installations in these verticals grow from 28 million units in 2021 to 116 million by 2025.

“Ensuring convenience for the end user must remain the top priority for eSIM management platform providers,” noted research author Scarlett Woodford. “To do so, they must provide a level of service comparable to that found with traditional SIM deployments.”

To download the whitepaper, go to: https://www.juniperresearch.com/document-library/white-papers/unlocking-the-potential-of-consumer-esims

Further eSIMs market research: https://www.juniperresearch.com/researchstore/devices-technology/esims-research-report