eSIM and the Future of Connected Cars: Improving Vehicle Connectivity and Safety

The future of automobiles is poised to be nothing short of extraordinary, with driverless technology, electric batteries, and regenerative braking at the forefront of innovation. Yet, beyond the mechanical marvels, the driving experience of tomorrow hinges on personalised, seamless user interactions and the flexibility surrounding car connectivity decisions. As consumers raise their expectations for efficient in-vehicle connectivity, security, and privacy, it remains paramount that the safety of drivers takes centre stage in this technological evolution.

As an increasing number of car functions transition to electronic management, and a plethora of data is transmitted from various sensors within the vehicle, automakers find themselves navigating a complex terrain. They must ensure that connected cars remain well-protected, meet stringent regulatory requirements, and possess the necessary bandwidth to support the myriad of services now available to drivers. Striking the right balance is crucial to efficiently control millions of connected cars while exceeding driver expectations.

The eSIM Revolution: A Driving Force

Enter the embedded SIM, or eSIM, technology – the linchpin in the success of connected cars. Unlike traditional SIM cards that need to be physically replaced, eSIM chips are permanently integrated into the vehicle's hardware. These eSIMs act as the foundation of trust for connectivity-related services, validating the car's connection to the network and optionally encrypting data.

Consider the wealth of data streaming from sensors both inside and outside the vehicle, which power algorithms responsible for driver alerts, assistance, and advice. This includes monitoring driver fatigue and recommending breaks to prevent accidents or offering smart parking assistance to detect external hazards. Combining this data yields even more intelligent insights; for instance, suggesting a ten-minute extension of the journey to allow both rest and refuelling due to a low fuel level.

By adopting a standardised connectivity management service alongside unlimited eSIM deployment, car manufacturers gain the ability to efficiently manage millions of connected cars. This facilitates secure over-the-air remote provisioning and remote subscription management to eSIMs, enabling seamless connection to the preferred carrier networks in the field.

How eSIM is improving vehicle connectivity and safety

eSIM technology is improving vehicle connectivity and safety in a number of ways. For example:

• eSIMs can be used to enable real-time traffic updates and navigation. This can help drivers to avoid congestion and find the fastest and safest routes to their destinations.
• eSIMs can be used to connect to emergency services in the event of an accident. This can help to ensure that first responders are able to arrive quickly and provide the necessary assistance.
• eSIMs can be used to enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. This can help to improve road safety by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other and with infrastructure, such as traffic lights and road signs.

Regulation and eSIM

Regulatory mandates are another driving force behind international eSIM technology adoption. For instance, since April 2018, the European Union mandated the inclusion of eCall systems in all new vehicles. This technology, triggered automatically in the event of a serious accident, transmits critical data, including location information, direction of travel, and vehicle details, to emergency services.

Meeting Bandwidth Demands

To deliver secure and seamless driver experiences, global eSIMs must satisfy bandwidth requirements for both car-related services, like telematics, and personal digital entertainment services that drivers expect. Today, it's commonplace for drivers to be instantly connected in their vehicles. Dual-eSIM technology, featuring two independent eSIMs for the car and the driver, addresses this need.

Dual-eSIM technology enables customers to bring their personal eSIM profiles into the car, allowing the vehicle to operate under their 'home' operator's data plan. This is akin to the familiar process of adding a smartwatch to an existing data plan alongside a smartphone. Essentially, the car becomes yet another instantly connected device.

This approach simplifies the user experience, with deep eSIM integration into the vehicle's telematics and external antenna systems ensuring exceptional signal transmission and reception. No more dealing with Bluetooth pairings every time the engine ignites, and the service extends to other passengers in the vehicle, with multiple device IDs enabling family members to access the entertainment system.

Supporting the Automotive Transformation

The global automotive industry is in the midst of a profound transformation, driven by demographic shifts, tightening regulations, and environmental concerns. Worldwide eSIM technology not only offers the agility to adapt to changing environments but also paves the way for optimised and personalised driver experiences. With eSIM data and calls technology, users benefit from services that enhance both efficiency and safety, while manufacturers can ensure data usage complies with local laws and regulations.

The future of eSIM in connected cars

eSIM technology is still in its early stages of adoption, but it has the potential to revolutionise the way we connect our cars. As eSIM-equipped vehicles become more common, we can expect to see a wide range of new and innovative connected car services emerge.

For example, eSIMs could be used to enable new features such as:

• Over-the-air (OTA) software updates: global eSIMs could be used to deliver OTA software updates to vehicles, which would help to keep vehicles up-to-date with the latest security features and bug fixes.
• Usage-based insurance: eSIMs could be used to collect data on vehicle usage, such as mileage and driving habits. This data could then be used to calculate personalised insurance premiums, which could help drivers to save money.
• Smart parking: eSIMs could be used to enable smart parking features, such as pre-booking parking spaces and paying for parking fees automatically.

Overall, eSIM technology has the potential to make connected cars more reliable, secure, and convenient. As eSIM-equipped vehicles become more common, we can expect to see a wide range of new and innovative connected car services emerge.