The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued recommendations on the “Usage of Embedded SIM for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications.”
In response to a request from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) dated 09.11.2021, seeking recommendations under the TRAI Act, 1997, regarding the implementation of embedded SIM for M2M communications, TRAI published a Consultation Paper on “Embedded SIM for M2M Communications” on 25.07.2022. Stakeholders were invited to provide comments/counter comments, followed by an open house discussion on 14.12.2022 conducted virtually. After a thorough analysis of stakeholder feedback and internal deliberations, TRAI has finalized its recommendations.
The expansion of 5G services in the country has created new opportunities for the M2M ecosystem, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation. These recommendations seek to streamline the regulatory framework for M2M embedded SIM (eSIM) in India. Emphasis is placed on ensuring security through robust Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to bolster network security, mitigate fraud risks, and maintain the integrity of the M2M eSIM ecosystem. TRAI has also proposed a framework for profile switching of eSIMs and swapping of Subscription Manager-Secure Routing (SM-SR) to enhance user flexibility and encourage healthy competition in the sector.
Implementation of these recommendations by the government is anticipated to foster orderly growth in the M2M eSIM segment of the telecom sector in India and catalyze the development of a domestic M2M eSIM ecosystem, thereby promoting modern M2M communication.
1. Conversion/reconfiguration of communication profiles on any M2M eSIM fitted in an imported device on international roaming in India into communication profiles of Indian telecom service providers (TSPs) within six months from activation of international roaming or change of ownership of the device, whichever occurs earlier.
2. Authorization for specific license holders to own and manage Subscription Manager-Secure Routing (SM-SR) in India.
3. Flexibility for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and M2M Service Providers (M2MSPs) to select profile download methods for M2M eSIMs imported into India.
4. Requirement for integration of SM-SR with SM-DP of licensed telecom service providers upon request from concerned OEMs/M2MSPs, in compliance with GSMA specifications.
5. Mandatory facilitation of SM-SR switching upon request from concerned OEMs/M2MSPs, to be completed within six months from receipt of formal request.
6. Prohibition on the use of 901. XX IMSI series allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to Indian entities for providing M2M services in India at this stage.
The recommendations are accessible on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. For further clarification or information, stakeholders may contact Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing), TRAI, via telephone at +91-11-23210481 or email at advmn@trai.gov.in.
