MWC2024: 2 SIM or NOT 2 SIM?

We heard the rumors for years, but rumors became reality on the third day of Mobile World Congress 2024 when BMW mobile virtual network operator partner Transatel announced the availability of its Ubigi personal eSIM service in properly equipped BMW 7 Series vehicles in France and Germany. The announcement was simultaneously trivial and groundbreaking. BMW owners will be able to stream video to the front or rearseat screens in their cars over the in-vehicle dual-SIM-dual-active device with unlimited data for €10/month.

The announcement might appear trivial to some - such as Tesla owners - that have long been able to stream video to their dashboards when their vehicles were parked. This was possible because Tesla had negotiated deeply discounted wireless plans with their carrier partners with the assumption that the application would only be used when vehicles were parked or charging.

Those assumptions still apply in the BMW case. Regulators will not allow front seat video while the vehicle is operating at speed - at least not yet. It's worth noting that BMW is not only in the forefront of this connectivity revolution, the company is also pushing the envelope toward Level 3 semi-autonomous operation. One can easily imagine video enabled in the front seat during Level 3 operation.

The BMW announcement is groundbreaking because many, if not most auto makers, are keen to deliver dual SIM solutions capable of segregating mission critical vehicle operations that require connectivity from non-critical operations. The DSDA solution in select BMWs requires not only two SIMs, but also two modems and related antennas making it a very expensive and therefore exclusive solution. Mercedes-Benz flirted with the DSDA idea for its own high end EVs but chose not to move forward.

BMW says that using the new solution customers in France and Germany can activate the Personal eSIM of their vehicle with Transatel’s Ubigi 5G data plans to enjoy additional infotainment features and WiFi connectivity, irrespective of their primary network operator for their regular smartphone subscription. The service will be available for BMW vehicles with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 and 9* with the option Personal eSIM (SA6PA).

BMW says that depending on the vehicle model, the Personal eSIM enables the in-vehicle WiFi-Hotspot, first-row video streaming services and in the case of 7 series vehicles equipped with the BMW Theatre Screen, a variety of entertainment from Amazon Fire TV. Following Germany and France, the service will be rolled out to other European countries.

To activate it in eligible BMW vehicles, owners configure their Personal eSIM through the My BMW App and subscribe to Ubigi’s European data plans (EU 27 + UK + CH). Cost of the service is €10 per month for unlimited data allowance**.

Nearly every auto maker in the industry is weighing their options regarding two-SIM solutions. One concept is to use a single SIM with multiple enabled profiles (MEP). Another approach might be dual SIMs with a shared modem or dual SIMs with two modems, one of which is consumer-grade for non-mission-critical applications.

Overall, car makers and their connected cars are facing a rapidly escalating data consumption landscape driven by the demands of enhanced safety systems, cloud connected digital assistants and navigation services, streaming content, and software updates. One SIM or one modem no longer looks like it will get the connectivity job done. BMW's announcement appeared to be trivial, but it has shifted the earth for the entire industry.?

* The function Personal eSIM is not yet active in vehicles with BMW Operating System 9. It is expected to be enabled over-the-air at a later point in 2024.

** Fair Use Policy with 100 GB high speed and roaming in 27 countries in Europe.?