Telenor IoT is an early adopter of the GSMA’s upcoming SGP.32 global eSIM standard. Demonstrating a commitment to future-proofing customer deployments, the company plans to incorporate SGP.32 into its service portfolio beginning in autumn 2025.
This adoption aims to give enterprises a robust, standardised solution for managing large-scale IoT deployments more efficiently and adapting to changing operational requirements with minimal disruption.
Understanding the SGP.32 eSIM standard
SGP.32, developed by the GSMA—the industry association representing mobile network operators worldwide—addresses the unique demands of modern IoT ecosystems. It introduces a standardised method for full remote management of SIM profiles through a centralised platform, enabling over-the-air updates and provisioning.
This remote capability is particularly valuable for devices without user interfaces or those deployed in hard-to-reach locations, common in industrial IoT, smart city infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. By centralising management, organisations can reduce manual intervention, speed up rollouts, and lower operational risk.
Key benefits of the SGP.32 standard include:
- Remote SIM provisioning: Over-the-air profile management eliminates the need for physical access to devices for SIM updates.
- Optimised for IoT: Lightweight profile designs reduce power consumption and improve performance for battery-powered and constrained devices.
- Simplified logistics: A single global Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) can be used across markets, reducing supply-chain complexity and lowering inventory costs.
- Network flexibility: Enables network switching and operator selection without replacing physical SIM cards, increasing operational agility and resilience.
By streamlining provisioning and lifecycle management, the standard is set to make global IoT operations faster, cheaper, and easier to maintain across diverse deployments.
Strategic importance for Telenor IoT
For Telenor IoT, adopting SGP.32 is a strategic step in evolving its connectivity services. The company has a track record of early adoption of eSIM standards and was among the first operators to implement SGP.02, the initial eSIM specification for IoT.
Mats Lundquist, CEO of Telenor Connexion and Head of Telenor IoT, noted that moving to SGP.32 supports “a world of seamless, secure, and standardised IoT connectivity,” which is essential for lasting success in the sector.
The SGP.32 features will augment Telenor IoT’s existing global managed connectivity services. Many customers already benefit from multi-network access in each country, which simplifies scaling and allows selection of the best network based on coverage and performance. Introducing SGP.32 will deepen that capability by enabling centralised, remote management of connectivity profiles.
Telenor IoT intends to combine SGP.32’s remote SIM management with its current platform services—featuring AI-driven monitoring and real-time analytics—to offer a comprehensive solution for operating and optimising large, geographically distributed IoT fleets. The combination promises better control, more efficient troubleshooting, and improved lifecycle management.
The power of standardisation
A principal advantage of SGP.32 is full standardisation, which ensures interoperability among devices, connectivity providers, and platform vendors. This reduces the risk of vendor lock-in and makes it easier for businesses to switch suppliers or integrate new hardware without costly redesigns.
Adhering to a global standard also preserves long-term compatibility as cellular technologies — including 5G and future generations — and IoT capabilities evolve. For organisations investing in devices and systems that must operate over many years, standards like SGP.32 are essential to protect those investments and to simplify maintenance and upgrades.
Recognising the preparation required for enterprises to adapt their strategies and hardware, Telenor IoT is engaging proactively with customers. The company is already offering test agreements so organisations can evaluate SGP.32’s practical benefits and integration needs ahead of a full commercial rollout expected in late 2025.
Lundquist describes this shift as more than a technology upgrade; it represents a meaningful evolution in global connectivity that will simplify operations and reduce long-term integration challenges for customers.
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Considering a refresh of your digital transformation strategy? Events such as industry gatherings and expos can help organisations learn about converging technologies in IoT, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud platforms. Telenor IoT’s adoption of SGP.32 highlights how standardisation and remote management are reshaping connectivity for large-scale, long-life IoT deployments.