The newest market monitoring figures launched at present by Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA) – the trade affiliation estimated to characterize roughly 98% of the worldwide eSIM {hardware} market – reveal that 2024 was a landmark 12 months of progress throughout the eSIM ecosystem.
eSIM cargo volumes collectively reported by TCA members in 2024 surpassed half a billion models, rising 35% year-on-year to achieve 503 million. TCA additionally estimates that the whole obtainable marketplace for eSIM was 514 million models. The rising availability of eSIM-enabled gadgets was matched by rising shopper adoption, with shopper eSIM profile downloads* rising by 56%.
TCA is the one organisation to supply a quantitative international view of eSIM shipments, offering each precise and forecast information. This gives unparalleled and authoritative perception into the continued improvement of the eSIM ecosystem.
Improved Financial Circumstances and Continued Innovation Drive eSIM Ecosystem Development
TCA information exhibits that regardless of the residual affect of inflation and the cost-of-living disaster, an improved financial image in 2024 – which noticed demand for smartphones and cellular subscriptions begin to recuperate – positively impacted the eSIM market. Development was additionally bolstered by the launch of latest eSIM-only gadgets, eSIM-enabled mid-range fashions and 5G smartphones.
Regionally, North America as soon as once more led in shopper eSIM adoption as a result of prominence of eSIM-only gadgets and since operators continued to pursue ‘digital-first’ methods. Profile downloads greater than doubled in Asia, whereas Europe additionally noticed sturdy uptake.
Growing shopper adoption was supported by continued funding in eSIM Subscription Supervisor (SM) platforms, which allow the distant provisioning and lifecycle administration of eSIMs. The variety of deployed shopper eSIM SM platforms rose by 18% in 2024.
Along with shopper uptake, TCA members additionally reported important M2M eSIM adoption. Wanting forward, the discharge of GSMA’s eSIM IoT Specification (SGP.32) stands to speed up using eSIM expertise throughout IoT use-cases and TCA will chart the event of the SGP.32 ecosystem as deployments construct.
Bertrand Moussel, Chair of the TCA Board, feedback: “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.”
TCA’s market information additionally offers unique statistical perception into the broader SIM ecosystem, with different key trade traits in 2024 together with:
Sturdy International Momentum for 5G SIM
TCA tracks deployments of the Really useful 5G SIM / eSIM, which promotes the best ranges of safety, privateness and performance in 5G and 5G standalone (SA) networks to maximise operator investments and assist key use-cases. TCA members reported a gentle 68% year-on-year progress in models in 2024, with volumes strongest in North America. Europe additionally noticed strong progress because it emerges as a number one area for the rollout of 5G SA deployments.
Conventional SIM Market Stays Important Amid Ongoing Evolution
TCA estimates that the whole obtainable marketplace for ‘traditional’ SIM** remained steady at 3.7 billion models in 2024. The market continues to be formed by accelerating digitalisation as eSIM adoption will increase in key geographies similar to North America. There’s additionally a pattern in direction of native gamers strengthening market share throughout lower-cost classes in India, China, and throughout the Pacific and MEA areas.
Enhanced Sustainability Throughout the Cell Ecosystem
37% of all SIM volumes collectively reported by TCA members had been within the half SIM format. A 3rd of SIM volumes in Europe had been manufactured utilizing eco-friendly uncooked supplies. Each figures replicate the pattern of considerably lowering plastic waste and related emissions.
* eSIM profile downloads, also called eSIM profile transactions, refers back to the variety of instances a cellular operator profile was downloaded.
** Consists of detachable SIM and soldered SIM for M2M type components. Excludes eSIM.
