Germany-based Achelos is one of the leading providers of off-the-shelf eSIM RSP software. The company’s software solutions assist MNOs in hosting their own SIM services while giving them full control over all technical, commercial, as well as operational aspects of the service. Ankit Malhotra, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research, discusses key points on the rise of off-the-shelf GSMA-compliant eSIM RSP Software with Detlef Balks, Senior eSIM Expert at Achelos.

The Interview

Key Takeaways

Low deployment complexity drives the market

• As eSIM use grows, operators, as well as service and solution providers, are increasingly developing their own eSIM management software or licensing it "off-the-shelf" and building a service around it.
• The industry awaits the flexibility that will be brought by SGP.32 standards released by GSMA, which will boost adoption across IoT devices.

Achelos – Provider of software solutions for eSIM services

• Achelos' software solutions for hosting eSIM services assists operators in meeting various compliance parameters like national data sovereignty regulations, network redundancies, and harmonizing eSIM services within groups.
• Achelos prioritizes GSMA's SAS certification to ensure the security of both hardware and eSIM digital assets. Although Achelos does not hold a SAS-SM certification, it provides the necessary support for their clients in ensuring compliance with the standards.

Foremost security

• HSM is a critical component of hosting eSIM service. Achelos simplifies its deployment by partnering with Ultimaco which delivers true HSM as a service.
• Achelos' expertise in eSIM services simplifies the complicated integration of HSM into current architectures, which may vary by customer.

Analyst Takeaways

• The fundamental basis for eSIM services has been successfully established. The development standards are in place, and adoption in consumer verticals has already been highly successful.
• With the advent of multiple eSIM enablers and facilitators that not only supply solutions but also contribute to the expansion of the broader ecosystem, the industry believes it will be able to meet all the eSIM's efficiency, scalability, sustainability, and security objectives.
• With the potential of eSIM technology and its integration into main processors, we may expect eSIM to find its way into other connected devices, accelerating our society's digital transformation.