With the GSMA’s new SGP.32 IoT specification, remote management of eSIMs in IoT devices is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, the ecosystem is growing more complex: the eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM) introduces a key new architectural component, that must seamlessly interact with SM-DP+, eUICCs, and devices. Ensuring interoperability across all these elements before deployment is critical.
Against this backdrop, COMPRION – with its longstanding expertise in eSIM test tools – is working with Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) and Thales, leading providers of eSIMs (eUICCs), eIM, and RSP backend services. Together, the partners have tested their components both individually and in joint interoperability tests to establish a practical development and test environment.
At the core of the setup is a test environment based on COMPRION test tools. For device testing, Thales and G+D provide GSMA-compliant eUICC cards with pre-integrated IPAe. This reference environment enables the integration and testing of components such as an eIM.
Deviations from the specification or hidden interoperability issues often only appear after field deployment, where they are difficult and costly to diagnose. Early validation of the eIM component helps you:
Detect integration risks before launch
Prevent field failures
Accelerate development cycles
Ensure standards compliance
Solution: Full Simulation of the eSIM IoT Environment.
COMPRION enables developers to test eIM functionality in a comprehensive end-to-end environment. All relevant components can be simulated by COMPRION tools. In addition to this, the eUICC and IPAd can be substituted by an SGP.32 test eUICC with IPAe from industry giants Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) or Thales.
All components have been extensively tested for interoperability with the eUICCs from G+D and Thales, enabling seamless integration. The testing environment is also developed to fully meet the requirements of the GSMA technical specifications. COMPRION tools come with extensive configuration options, facilitating the simulation of different test conditions. They also come with outstanding monitoring capabilities—a prerequisite to understand, analyse, and debug:
The Loader IoT feature of COMPRION’s eUICC Profile Manager simulates the SM-DP+ behavior and also contains an eIM, which can be used as a reference.
The COMPRION Network Bridge emulates a mobile IoT device. If required, the Network Bridge provides an IPA (IoT Profile Assistant) simulation on the device (IPAd), serving as the interface between eIM and eUICC.
A real eUICC from Giesecke+Devrient or Thales completes the end-to-end test environment. Alternatively, an eSIM simulation can be connected via COMPRION's virtual card reader component called iSIMconnect. It provides remote SIM provisioning functionality and allows the use of different test keys, certificates, profiles, and eIM configurations.
A comprehensive visualization of the communication flow enables detailed inspection of the interaction between all involved entities (eIM, SM-DP+, IPA, and eUICC).
Key Benefits
Develop and test without physical devices
End-to-end ecosystem simulation
Testing with real eUICCs from leading vendors
Detailed communication flow visualization
Works with test or live certificates
Faster development and easier debugging
Reduced risk and improved reliability
Benefits for Development, Integration, and Operations
The joint test environment is designed for eUICC manufacturers, IoT module and device OEMs, SM-DP+ and eIM providers, mobile network operators (MNOs), and integrators of complex IoT deployments such as in the automotive sector. Early pre-validation helps reduce integration risks, prevent field failures, and improve the reliability of IoT solutions.
The Solution at a Glance
COMPRION combines its proven test tools with mutually validated partner components to create a complete end-to-end IoT eSIM test environment. Unlike purely simulated environments, our solution supports testing with production-grade, GSMA-compliant eUICCs from Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) and Thales:
(1) Simulated eUICC limited to RSP capabilities using SGP.26 test certificates (2) IoT Profile Assistant (IPA) is provided directly on the card (IPAe) instead of on the device (IPAd) (3) Simulated IPAd supports „package retrieval mode“ (4) eUICC Profile Manager provides an eIM simulation capability, that can be used instead of the eIM under development for comparison purposes (5) The simulated SM-DP+ is using SGP.26 test certificates (6) Supported protocols: HTTP(S) with JSON or ASN.1 binding (7) Supported profile download mechanism today: „direct profile download“
“We expect to see several eSIM IoT Remote Manager implementations from companies that are not yet familiar with the eSIM/RSP environment. Deviations from the specification can lead to field issues that are difficult to localize – especially if interoperability is only tested after deployment,”
Dr. Marcus Dormanns, Director Product Management & Business Development at COMPRION.
Tools, Setup & Architecture Overview
This video provides a technical overview of the GSMA eSIM specification SGP.32 for IoT devices. It covers architecture, including key components like the IoT Profile Assistant (IPA), SM-DP+, and the eSIM IoT Remote Manager. The session also covers a testing method showcasing COMPRION's iSIMconnect virtual card reader as an alternative to using Thales or G+D eUICCs.
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Get in touch with us at COMPRION to discuss your specific requirements at sales(at)comprion.com
