• eSIM-capable device shipments crossed half a billion mark for the first time in 2024, signifying the rapid growth in the eSIM ecosystem.
• G+D, Thales and IDEMIA emerged as ‘Pacesetters’ in eSIM enablement, consolidating their position at the top.
• Eastcompeace, Trasna and TATA Communications were recognised as Leaders for the first time along with Kigen, Valid and RedTea Mobile who maintained their position.
  

Seoul, Beijing, Boston, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi – February 20, 2025

G+D, Thales and Idemia have emerged as ‘Pacesetters’ in Counterpoint Research’s 2025 Global eSIM Enablement CORE (COmpetitive Ranking and Evaluation) report.

Commenting on the eSIM landscape, Senior Research Analyst Varun Gupta noted, “The eSIM landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by growing device adoption and expanding operator support worldwide. In 2024, eSIM-capable device shipments surpassed half a billion for the first time, fueled by strong demand for smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices. A key highlight has been the surge in eSIM adoption within IoT-M2M applications, including automotive, which grew by over 50% YoY. As OEMs in IoT-M2M and automotive increasingly recognize eSIM’s flexibility, scalability, and remote provisioning capabilities, adoption is accelerating across these sectors.”

Gupta added, “We have analyzed and evaluated key companies in the eSIM value chain using our proprietary CORE framework, which maps active players according to their capabilities and success in execution. The ‘capability’ parameter covers criteria such as firmware, hardware, compliance, interoperability and supply chain prowess, while the ‘ecosystem’ parameter covers geographical reach, partnerships and market share.”

Commenting on the research findings, Research Director Mohit Agarwal said, “G+D, Thales, and Idemia have established themselves as ‘Pacesetters’ in our eSIM enablement rankings. The leading players excel in overall capabilities and execution, enabling them to secure a substantial market share compared to others. G+D took the lead in consumer eSIM shipments, powering Apple’s latest eSIM-only iPads launched in early 2024. Thales dominated the automotive segment, driving the highest shipments in this space.”

Eastcompeace, Kigen, Trasna, VALID, RedTea Mobile, and Tata Communications have emerged as key ‘Leaders,’ closely competing in the ecosystem segment. While they share strong ecosystem influence, their rankings are shaped by distinct capabilities, setting each apart in the dynamic eSIM landscape.

Eastcompeace, Trasna, and Tata Communications were among the fastest-growing players in the eSIM enablement space, advancing from ‘Challengers’ in 2023 to ‘Leaders’ in 2024. Their strong execution and expanded capabilities propelled them into a more competitive position.

Kigen, being one of the leading players in IoT, consolidated its top spot in the IoT market and stood out for its SGP .31/.32 compliant offerings. Meanwhile, VALID, a longstanding industry player, strengthened its position through strategic ecosystem partnerships, enhancing its overall capabilities.

With the industry moving towards commercial deployments of the SGP.31/.32 eSIM IoT standard, leading vendors are preparing for the next phase of innovation. Some have already begun working on the IFPP SGP.41 standard, aiming to enhance interoperability and streamline the eSIM ecosystem.

Counterpoint Research’s Global eSIM Landscape report is the most comprehensive report on the topic and covers all the leading players in the ecosystem with multiple interviews and research spanning more than three months.
The comprehensive and in-depth ‘Global eSIM Enablement Landscape Report, 2025’ is available for subscribing clients. Please contact Counterpoint Research to gain access to the report.

Background
Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects, and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.