In-Network eSIM RSP for Mobile Operators
In the vast majority of the cases, a Connectivity Service Provider is using eSIM RSP solution as a service offered by one of the established vendors (often those that traditionally offer SIM card products and personalization services). The offering pretty much replicates the volume-based commercial models well known from the SIM card world. The only difference is that CSP buys the "virtual" SIM instead of a physical one. Sometimes CSP pays twice or even three times: for download transaction, data generation, and also for services related to profile development.
Only in some very rare cases, CSPs host their own solutions. These days, the main reason to "own" the solution is derived from the local regulatory requirements. The software for these solutions has been delivered and deployed by a third party and is hosted and operated by a CSP in the own data center.
The growing number of the eSIM capable devices available on the market is predicted to lead to the rapid growth of the number of transactions to download CSP credentials to an eSIM-capable device. This growth of the transaction volumes opens the question whether the traditional transaction-based model for eSIM profile downloads still meets the CSP expectations.
After Microsoft has certified several Azure regions in Europe and the US in accordance with SAS-SM requirements, has made it easier for a CSP to host its own RSP solution. The SAS-SM certification of AWS US regions in 2021 by Amazon has created multiplicity of choice for CSPs that intend to build their own RSP service, offering them a more familiar environment. The upcoming availability of cloud HSM services compliant with SAS-SM standard eliminates completely the need for a CSP to create a SAS-SM certified environment in its data center or to cooperate with one of the parties owning a certified data center. CSP only needs to adopt the internal security processes that are already in place for compliance with SAS-SM and to certify the RSP service deployed in the certified cloud environment.
Why would a CSP be interested in doing this? There are multiple reasons that can motivate CSPs to build their own RSP service:
- Full cost control
- Compliance with regulatory requirements
- Close integration with internal business processes
- Freedom to customize the RSP service, building a unique offering
- Guarantee SLAs by operating the service with their own operation teams in accordance with established internal processes
- Retain customer data under their own full control
We at achelos are very excited to see the growing number of eSIM capable devices available on the market. We offer to CSPs the RSP software compliant with GSMA SGP.02 and SGP.22 (and soon with SGP.32) enabling them to build an RSP service independently of any RSP service provider. Our software was designed to target deployments in private and public cloud environments, and therefore relies on the open source software stack. It's been created with deep domain expertise and is backed up by our extensive experience with cloud-native deployments. We can deploy our software in selected environments for a Proof-of-Concept in just a few days.
Contact us to learn more!