The launch of Apple Watch 3 series and the advent of new IOT & M2M age in India.

Apple Watch 3 series was finally launched in India- after it was banned in China and was the topic of debate by the US Department of Justice. AW3 is dependent on the famous” Embedded SIM” technology. It not the first time when e-SIM is commercially used; the first one being Samsung gear S2 in 2016. However, the Department of Telecommunications has released a landmark circular on IoT & M2M . It has paved the way for future roll outs like driver less cars, connected cars, Smart cities, wearable’s & other consumer use cases.

What is e-SIM?

It’s a neat technology which virtualises the functionalities of a physical SIM using an embedded microchip. The connection to the cellular technology is handled by a provisioning node; which is managed by the ISP (Airtel, Jio)

What does the DoT circular say?

1.     The circular raised the number of mobile connections a single user can have from 9 to 18. 9 each for mobile phone numbers & M2M connections. This is a landmark policy change.

2.     M2M identifiers will have a 13 digit numbers instead of the usual 10 digital for mobile numbers.

3.     Devices with eSIM capability will be able to make and receive voice calls on Wi-Fi Network; without the use of OTT apps like Skype & Whatsapp.

What’s in it for the consumer?

1.     Consumers will be able to switch operators in the same way we switch Wi-Fi networks. In other words, SIM portability on the fly

2.     Industry is still searching for other consumer use cases.

Will the security agencies be able to lawfully intercept & trace voice calls?

1.     Current government systems are not capable of tracing e-SIM voice calls. This is the reason why Chinese government banded AW3 in mainland china.

2.     Government is consulting with industry to come up with e-KYC norms.