iSIM Market Share Predicted to Grow to 19% of all SIM Shipments

Thales and Qualcomm Technologies revealed the GSMA [GSM Association] certification of “the world’s first commercially deployable iSIM (integrated SIM)” on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform on 28 February.

Enabling SIM functionality within a smartphone’s main processor, the new iSIM can now offer device makers further opportunities to save space and to reduce build and supply chain costs, while maintaining best-in-class security levels. Just like the Thales eSIM, the new device is fully compliant with the GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning standard; meaning its subscriptions are remotely manageable through any standard platforms.

The emerging iSIM form factor complements existing SIM and eSIM designs, and research from Kaleido Intelligence suggests the device’s market share will grow to 300 million by 2027 – 19% of all eSIM shipments. ​

“The world’s first security certification of an iSIM by the GSMA follows several years of intense development work by Qualcomm Technologies and Thales. Alongside the increasingly popular eSIM, the Thales 5G iSIM gives device makers and mobile operators even greater freedom to offer their customers effortless over-the-air connectivity, and more exciting and accessible product designs,” explained ​ Guillaume Lafaix, VP Embedded Products at Thales Mobile and Connectivity Solutions.

“We believe a Tamper Resistant Element integrated within the host processor can efficiently enable innovative use cases across many markets and product segments,” added Ziad Asghar, SVP of Product Management for Qualcomm Technologies.

Alex Sinclair, GSMA Chief Technology Officer, stated “The GSMA is committed to promoting a ‘security-first’ culture across the entire mobile ecosystem to ensure the benefits of mobile connectivity can be enjoyed safely by all […] iSIM increases the opportunity to proliferate cellular capability and satisfies a wider and more diverse market.”