The global eSIM market experienced robust growth in 2024, with shipments exceeding 500 million units. This surge highlights the widespread adoption of embedded SIM technology across various devices and regions. As manufacturers continue to integrate eSIM capabilities, the infrastructure supporting this technology expands to meet rising consumer and industrial demands.
Reliable data from the Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA), representing nearly 98% of the eSIM hardware market, indicates a 35% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching a total of 503 million units. The projected available market stood at 514 million units, showcasing a strong alignment between supply and consumer demand. Additionally, consumer eSIM profile downloads saw a significant rise of 56%, underscoring the growing preference for digital connectivity solutions.
What Factors Contributed to the eSIM Market Growth?
Economic improvements played a crucial role in the market’s expansion, countering previous challenges such as inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. The renewed demand for smartphones and mobile subscriptions fueled the need for eSIM-enabled devices. Manufacturers introduced a variety of eSIM-only smartphones, mid-range models, and 5G-compatible devices, catering to a diverse consumer base.
How Did Regional Markets Perform in 2024?
North America led the global eSIM adoption, driven by the availability of eSIM-only devices and operators’ digital-first strategies. In Asia, eSIM profile downloads more than doubled, while Europe also experienced substantial growth. These regional advancements were supported by an 18% increase in deployed eSIM Subscription Manager platforms, facilitating efficient remote provisioning and management of eSIMs.
What Are the Future Prospects for eSIM Technology?
The introduction of GSMA’s eSIM IoT Specification (SGP.32) is expected to further integrate eSIM technology into Internet of Things (IoT) applications. TCA plans to monitor the development of the SGP.32 ecosystem as its deployment expands. Bertrand Moussel, Chair of the TCA Board, stated:
“Our latest data offers the clearest demonstration yet of the extent to which eSIM technology is now being harnessed across the global digital economy, delivering flexible connectivity, advanced security and enhanced experiences. As the eSIM ecosystem continues to expand to encompass an array of emerging use-cases, so too does the importance of industry-wide collaboration to ensure all deployments are underpinned by a strong foundation of trust, consistency and reliability.”
In addition to consumer trends, machine-to-machine (M2M) eSIM adoption remained strong, indicating a sustained demand in industrial and commercial applications. The traditional SIM market also maintained its significance, with a stable demand of 3.7 billion units. Sustainability initiatives saw 37% of all SIM volumes produced in environmentally friendly formats, reflecting the industry’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and emissions.
The continued evolution of the eSIM ecosystem presents numerous opportunities for both consumers and businesses. As technology advances and regional markets adopt more eSIM-enabled devices, the groundwork for a more connected and efficient digital future strengthens. Stakeholders should focus on collaborative efforts to enhance security, reliability, and the seamless integration of eSIM solutions across diverse platforms.
