T-Mobile to introduce eSIM next year; traditional SIM cards to be fully replaced within ten years

SIM as an integral part of a device; easy remote activation and administration
The Deutsche Telekom Group is taking part in the development of an open standard
T-Mobile will introduce the first built-in SIM card in 2016

As a member of the Deutsche Telekom Group, T-Mobile Czech Republic has been actively involved in the development of an open standard for built-in SIM cards (eSIM cards), which will be a fixed part of a device and will be easy to activate and administer remotely. In cooperation with its partners, the operator plans to introduce the first smartphones supporting standardised eSIM cards next year.

“Next year, we will introduce the first handsets with eSIM cards. Massive expansion of this technology is expected in 2017 and 2018,” says Vladimír Klein, Technology Director at T-Mobile, adding: “In our opinion, conventional plastic SIM cards will be discontinued within ten years, which will help improve the customer experience and increase the reliability of mobile devices, among other things.”

Built-in SIM cards take the form of a special chip and are an integral part of the particular device. The eSIM card contains information about the user’s profile in the network and can be programmed remotely – users will thus no longer need to open SIM slots with paper clips, have the card cut to fit a smaller format or ask for a SIM replacement.

The introduction of eSIM cards is closely related to the process of connecting devices and the subsequent development of the Internet of Things. According to certain estimates, up to 200 billion devices are expected to be connected by 2020 – this concerns cars, wearables, smart households, smart measurements and e-health, among other areas. All these products will have to be easily activated, administered and controlled, often collectively, which will be enabled by built-in SIM cards. Registering a new device on a particular account is a piece of cake with an eSIM – all customers need to do is scan or copy the ID code of a particular product and the eSIM card is then immediately activated and connected with other connected products that the customer uses.

The Deutsche Telekom Group has already commercially launched eSIM technology, which is based on a solution from Apple, in two countries – in the US and the UK. However, the owner of T-Mobile Czech Republic sees no future in proprietary solutions and has thus been actively involved for several years in the creation of an open global eSIM standard under the umbrella of GSMA, a worldwide association of mobile operators. The standard on which Deutsche Telekom and its subsidiaries have been working with other large operators and manufacturers of devices and SIM cards should be announced in the first half of 2016.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.