The Futureproofing Power of eSIM Technology: How It Protects Against Network Sunsets and Outages

How To Protect Your Business Against Network Shutdowns

Network Sunsetting is the term used to refer to the decommissioning of old cellular network infrastructure to make way for newer alternatives with the objective of enabling the rollout of new connectivity technologies such as 5G. As more and more businesses embrace the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for reliable and secure connectivity has become paramount. Yet, network outages and sunsets are a common problem that cause frustration and disruption to IoT deployments. To address this concern, innovative technology solutions have been developed to ensure that IoT devices stay connected regardless of unpredictable network conditions. One of these solutions is eSIM technology. In this blog post, we will explore how eSIM technology can protect against network sunsets and outages so you can futureproof your IoT deployments.

Understanding eSIM Technology

eSIMs come in multiple form factors and are similar to a traditional SIM, as eSIMs can be a physical, insertable chip (2FF/3FF/4FF). However, unlike traditional SIMs, eSIMs can also be soldered onto the motherboard of a device (MFF2). Companies like, Teal offer both plastic eSIM cards (like your standard SIM form factor) and embedded eSIMs that are compatible with any IoT device. This means that users can connect their devices onto any carrier network without having to physically swap out their SIM cards; all they need is access to an available network and the activation process simple. This makes connecting devices directly onto the right networks easier than ever before.

eSIM Technology and Network Sunsets

Network sunsets occur when a cellular network is phased out or terminated, which can be due to the emergence of new and faster technologies or changes in business strategies. When network sunsets occur, IoT devices that rely on the sunset network suddenly lose connectivity, causing a disruption in business operations. However, eSIM technology futureproofs IoT deployments by enabling remote SIM provisioning and management. With eSIM technology, IoT devices can easily switch between available networks, ensuring that they always have access to the strongest signal.

One example of a network sunset is the phasing out of 2G networks initiated by telecoms giants like AT&T, Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone. 2G networks were the first wireless networks introduced, and they supported basic voice and text messaging services. As technology evolved, the demand for faster internet speeds, video calls, and streaming services has skyrocketed. This demand has seen many telecom giants phase out 2G networks in many areas worldwide. In the US, AT&T began phasing out its 2G networks in 2017, and Verizon completed its phase-out process in December 2019.

Another example of network sunset involves the phasing out of 3G networks, which were introduced in the first decade of the 21st century. As with 2G networks, 3G networks are being phased out because they can’t keep up with new emerging technologies. With the advent of 5G networks, which offer faster speeds and more sophisticated features, telecom companies can no longer afford to keep running 3G networks. Mobile operators are pushing hard to transfer customers over to 4G or 5G networks since, with time, phasing out 3G infrastructure will help in network optimization making 5G coverage more seamless. As a result, all major U.S carriers – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – officially announced plans to sunset their 3G networks in 2022 with more network operators following suite.

Are your devices at risk? We’ve compiled a list of planned network shutdowns that you can view for free here. 

Protect Against Network Sunsets

Network sunsets result in a loss of connectivity for IoT devices that depend on a particular network technology. However, with eSIM technology, this problem is significantly reduced. Suppose a carrier is planning to sunset a technology; in that case, the eSIM card can be reprogrammed remotely to switch to a new carrier that is offering a compatible network technology.

Prevent Connectivity Outages

Connectivity outages occur when a network goes down, and devices cannot send or receive data. Most businesses fail to appreciate the severity of a network outage until it happens and one needs to look no further than the crippling Roger’s outage in 2022 to appreciate the negative impact on businesses that can result from a network going down. With IoT deployments, outages can result in significant losses for any business. However, eSIM technology can mitigate this problem. With eSIMs, devices can switch between different network providers in real-time, ensuring a more robust and reliable connection. This redundancy feature ensures that your devices stay online even when a network is down.

Improve Operational Efficiency

Managing SIM cards can be a daunting task, especially when deploying thousands of IoT devices. The traditional SIM card approach requires physical access to the SIM card, making it challenging and time-consuming to manage them remotely. eSIM technology eliminates this problem and allows for remote SIM provisioning and management. This means that IoT deployments can be managed and scaled more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Enhance Security

IoT devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks. eSIM technology can enhance security as it allows for remote provisioning and management of the SIM card. This makes it impossible for attackers to gain physical access to the SIM card. Additionally, eSIM technology supports secure connectivity protocols such as HTTPS, ensuring that data transmitted between devices and platform is encrypted.

Security is paramount, which is why choosing a solution that is GSMA certified is critical when selecting an eSIM vendor. The GSMA recently published an eSIM Buyer’s Guide for Enterprise that is a valuable resource for any business that is evaluating eSIM technology. Find out what factors your business needs to consider when selecting an eSIM solution with this free guide.

The Benefits of eSIM Technology

• Network resilience – eSIM technology is designed to provide reliable connectivity across multiple networks, which means IoT devices can switch between networks without any disruption. eSIM technology provides network resilience, making it possible for IoT devices to remain connected even when one network becomes unavailable.
• Remote management – With traditional SIM cards, all changes to the network must be made manually. However, eSIM provides remote network management, enabling over-the-air (OTA) programmable connectivity at the click of a button. This makes it easy to manage large scale IoT deployments via a single platform.
• Cost-effective – IoT deployments can be costly and time-consuming. However, eSIM technology simplifies IoT device management, reduces costs, and increases efficiency. With eSIM, businesses no longer need to spend time manually swapping out SIM cards that no longer work. In addition, companies can save money with eSIM technology, by doing away with hefty roaming fees.
• Flexible – With eSIM technology, you no longer need to buy and activate a new SIM card for each device. This saves time and costs for businesses. eSIM technology from Teal gives your business the flexibility and control to connect your devices onto any network worldwide, on-demand. Having the ability to dynamically switch between networks is a major benefit if a network is shutdown.

eSIM technology is a game-changer in IoT device management. It provides network resilience, remote network management, cost-effectiveness, security, and flexibility. eSIM technology solves the problem of network sunsets and outages by enabling devices to switch between networks seamlessly, providing reliable connectivity, and futureproofing IoT deployments.