Accelerating eSIM globally: state of the consumer market, user behaviour and adoption growth scenarios

eSIM

Accelerating eSIM globally: state of the consumer market, user behaviour and adoption growth scenarios
This Report is locked

This report is available to those subscribed to the Digital Consumer module.

Learn more about our packages

2023 has been the strongest year ever for eSIM commercialisation. The launch of eSIM-only iPhones in the US in September 2022 has accelerated eSIM deployments and commercial launches globally. However, awareness and adoption of eSIM remains low outside of the US.

This report examines the state of eSIM in the consumer market including the latest trends on eSIM device and service commercialisation. It also provides insights into the consumer behaviour for eSIM while offering three scenarios for eSIM adoption through to 2030.

As we look to 2024, there will be three important things to watch. First is progress with consumer adoption of eSIM. Now that eSIM technology is widely available in flagship smartphones and the service is available in more than half of the world’s countries, turning availability into customer adoption will be key. The second is the transition to eSIM-only smartphones beyond the US, with eSIM vendors expecting Apple to make a similar move in select European countries in 2024. The third is the commercial push from MNOs. More and more mobile service providers are launching eSIM service (~400 at the end of June 2023) but the commercial push from MNOs remains low; we expect MNOs to start talking more about eSIM to their customers, especially in the context of digital-first or digital-only consumer propositions targeting digital native and tech-savvy customers.

Authors

How to access this report

Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.

Enquire about subscription

Contact our research team

Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.

Contact our research team

Media

To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.

Learn more

Related research

BICS: Augmenting IoT connectivity and device management with eSIM Hub

Internet of things (IoT)
eSIM
IoT & Enterprise

Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition highlights BICS' eSIM Hub, which is designed to simplify global enterprise IoT deployments.

This report is locked

eSIM connectivity for smartphones: over two thirds of MNOs have launched, but regional differences persist

eSIM
Digital Consumer

GSMA Intelligence's Chart of the Month is a visual way of telling an important story in the mobile and broader tech ecosystem. From the shape and size of markets to trends in consumer behaviour, we aim to provide food for thought through informative visuals designed to bring colour and clarity to complex issues facing the industry. This edition looks at progress among MNOs with the launch of eSIM connectivity for smartphones.

This report is locked

Industry Checkpoint: consumer eSIM, Q3 2025

eSIM
Devices
Digital Consumer

As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer eSIM, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications.

This report is locked
Full access
Get full access to our research now, get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis
  • 200 reports a year
  • 50 million data points
  • Over 350 metrics