TRAI releases Recommendations on Usage of Embedded SIM for M2M Communications

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 09.11.2021, sought TRAI's recommendations under the TRAI Act, 1997 on the usage of embedded SIM for M2M communications. In this regard, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on 'Embedded SIM for M2M Communications' on 25.07.2022 to solicit comments and counter comments from stakeholders. In response, 15 stakeholders submitted their comments. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was held on 14.12.2022 through virtual mode. Based on the comments or inputs received from stakeholders, extensive deliberations on the subject, and its analysis, TRAI has finalized its Recommendations on the usage of Embedded SIM for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications.

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With the rolling out of 5G services in the country, the opportunities for the M2M ecosystem have expanded greatly, offering increased scope for applications in various sectors of the economy such as agriculture, transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation. These recommendations are aimed at streamlining the regulatory landscape of M2M embedded SIM (eSIM) in India.

Through these Recommendations, the Authority has emphasized ensuring security by way of proper Know Your Customer (KYC), which is essential for ensuring network security, mitigating fraud risks, and enhancing the overall integrity of the M2M eSIM ecosystem. The Authority has also recommended a framework for profile switching of eSIMs and swapping of SM-SR. This will provide significant flexibility to the M2M eSIM users and will promote healthy competition in the sector.

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 Implementation of these Recommendations by the Government will promote orderly growth in the M2M eSIM segment of the telecom sector. The salient features of these Recommendations are as follows. 

  All communication profiles on any M2M eSIM fitted in an imported device on international roaming in India should be mandatorily converted/ reconfigured into communication profiles of Indian telecom service providers (TSPs) within six months from the date of activation of international roaming on such M2M eSIM or on change of ownership of the device, whichever is earlier.

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