How about a better SIM instead of a gimmick?

Many of the connectivity solutions offered in the market today fail to align with the unique requirements of IoT devices, potentially setting the stage for challenges and failures.

Consider the humble SIM card, for example. At its core, the SIM is simply an application for network authentication—a technology that works effectively. Then there’s multi-IMSI and eUICC, which also coexist alongside gimmicky names like “Multi-core SIMs,” “strong-SIM,” “ultra-mega-hyper-SIM” and the likes.

The industry is notorious for its overuse of jargon and buzzwords, making it challenging to distinguish genuine innovation from marketing spin. These terms often serve to obscure rather than clarify, leaving customers puzzled about what they are actually purchasing.

Strip away the fancy branding, and what are you left with? The same old technology, repackaged and touted as innovation.

The current infrastructure, primarily designed for user-facing devices, does not effectively support the specific needs of IoT. Many solutions focus more on managing appearances rather than making substantial improvements to network infrastructure.

IoT devices require connectivity that fundamentally differs from what standard consumer devices like smartphones need. These devices often operate remotely and autonomously, requiring reliable, continuous connectivity across various networks and geographies, with minimal human intervention for troubleshooting or network selection.

The conventional SIM card approach introduces significant logistical and financial complexity, particularly for IoT applications involving thousands of devices spread across multiple locations. From an IoT device's perspective, this approach is technically inelegant and cost-ineffective.

Moreover, managing physical SIM cards involves considerable complexities related to stock-keeping, shipping, and handling, all of which contribute to increased costs and operational hurdles.

Vendor lock-ins represent another major challenge—an inherent inability of the industry to adapt to the changing needs of IoT. Many of today's solutions still tie customers to rigid agreements, where devices are locked to specific network providers or technologies. This limits the flexibility needed for a truly global and adaptable IoT solution and hinders innovation and adaptation to new technologies or changing requirements.

By continuing to push these limited solutions, the industry risks not only stagnation in terms of innovation but also fails to provide the robust, scalable, and seamless connectivity that IoT devices require.

Onomondo's initiative with the SoftSIM represents a shift toward more fundamental improvements in IoT connectivity, focusing on a customer-centric rather than a telco-centric SIM technology solution.

We have also deliberately chosen a name that is simple, transparent, and honest. SoftSIM does exactly what it says—it's a software-based SIM, without gimmicks or hidden complexities.

By converting the SIM into a purely software solution, we eliminate the logistical nightmare of managing physical SIMs across thousands of globally distributed devices. IoT devices can seamlessly connect to the best available network, regardless of location, without the disruption of profile switching or dropped connections.

We even joke that we might have the "dumbest" SIM out there—and that's a good thing. By keeping the SIM "dumb" and shifting the logic to the network, we enable more flexible, adaptive connectivity without overburdening individual devices.

This simplicity is our strength. It's about being clear and honest with our technology to empower our customers.

We address not only the technical demands of IoT devices but also the logistical and commercial challenges that have long hindered the sector.

Instead of offering band-aid solutions and gimmicks, IoT deserves a solution that genuinely works for the unique demands of globally distributed, constrained devices. It’s time to redefine what’s possible in IoT—where connectivity is reliable, insightful, and truly global.