There is a new kid on the SIM block: the eSIM. But don’t confuse this with embedded SIMs! Oh and there’s eUICC, and 1FF, 2FF, and 3FF, too. And what is an MFF2? This post will help. Let’s dive right in! What is a SIM? A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module), also called a Universal Integrated Circuit Card or UICC, stores information that uniquely identifies a cellular subscription. For about three decades now, the SIM has been what lets us connect (“attach” in tech speak) our devices to the cellular networks of the world. It holds the credentials and security keys necessary to identify a subscriber. That identity comes in the form of a so-called IMSI number, or International Mobile Subscriber Identity, which is unique for every user or device on or off the network. SIMs also run an application that passes that identity information to an onboard cellular modem. The modem in turn conducts the actual attachment operation to the network. The application that the SIM card runs, by the way, is also referred to as UICC; the acronym is often used synonymously with the card or chip itself. SIMs started as truly card-like hardware (the first-ever form factor, or “1FF”), but shrunk Read more about What is the Difference between eSIM and Embedded SIM in IoT?[…]

While use cases for IoT abound and deployments are growing rapidly, the technology landscape can still be overwhelming to newcomers. This article gives an overview of wireless connectivity protocols and their respective strengths, weaknesses, and recommended fields of application. The ever-expanding IoT Enterprises and government agencies are leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology to maximize efficiency and reduce operating expenses while improving service delivery to their constituents. By implementing connected solutions, IoT is driving advancements across a wide variety of vertical industries, including utilities, connected vehicles, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and security for businesses and homes. IoT is also driving new opportunities for innovation – solving problems while delivering global economic and environmental change. The growth in IoT over the past few years and its future market potential are both impressive. The market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates IoT spending was approximately $742 billion in 2020. Looking forward, IDC’s Internet of Things Spending Guide expects global IoT to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3% over the 2020-2024 forecast period. Wireless IoT connectivity options When it comes to connecting devices, the networking technology landscape remains complex and fragmented with no one-size-fits-all protocol capable of addressing all IoT use Read more about A Look at the Fragmented Landscape of IoT Connectivity[…]