Integrated SIM - iSIM

The simplest way to get your cellular IoT devices connected

Sony Semiconductor Israel has developed the first and only cellular IoT chipset with an integrated SIM commercially available in the market. Integrating the SIM functionality into the SoC accelerates and simplifies our customers’ ability to create a variety of cellular IoT devices.

Pioneering the iSIM ecosystem

Simplification of cellular IoT deployments is the foundation of Massive IoT acceleration.

At Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony), we decided to help our customers unlock the value of IoT and simplify cellular IoT deployments, by freeing them up to focus on their core competencies and deliver faster time to market. In order to address connectivity and security requirements with an out-of-the-box fully functional, secured and connected device, we integrated a dedicated and isolated hardware sub-system within the modem. This gave it the ability to run the SIM function in a highly secure manner, as expected by the market. In collaboration with our ecosystem partners, the Integrated SIM (iSIM) was born, enabling a new generation of cellular IoT solutions: affordable, simple and quick to deploy, with a small footprint.

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Turning the Internet of Things into the Internet of Everything

In the traditional SIM era, every service provider needed to issue their own SIM cards for every connected device. The iSIM concept changes that, by removing the need for a physical card. The integrated SIM (iSIM) gives OEMs a simple, secure and reliable way to add cellular connectivity to anything, turning the Internet of Things into the Internet of Everything.

An iSIM is delivered as a fully integrated solution inside the modem chipset, producing a truly seamless customer experience. Because iSIM comes pre-integrated, cellular connectivity can be included as default. Any device with an iSIM-enabled modem inside benefits from global out-of-the-box connectivity. With iSIM, connecting a device is as easy as switching it on.

Compact size

The iSIM saves space in hardware design. Integrating the SIM inside the modem chipset significantly reduces the bill of materials, as IoT OEMs no longer need the additional external components and circuitry which the traditional SIM and modem setup require.

Security

The iSIM gives the same level of security as the legacy SIM and even more with an extra layer of protection that eliminates direct access to the SIM, thus removing a line of attack which is critical in the IoT space.

Fast time to market

Thanks to its ability to simplify the device’s lifecycle, the iSIM shortens the development process, offering rapid time to market.

Driving the acceleration of the IoT market

iSIM opens the door to use cases which were not available in cellular IoT until now. In addition, it allows non-cellular IoT players an easy transition to cellular, without needing to develop cellular expertise and knowledge in-house. With iSIM, cellular based connectivity is easier than the alternatives. More types of devices can be connected, more simply, and are secure by design.

Overall, the introduction of the integrated SIM simplifies and shortens the development process while reducing costs and optimizing device performance. This will open up the cellular IoT market to more device makers, particularly those OEMs who may lack the cellular expertise once required to develop a cellular IoT offering, enabling them to simplify their products and easily scale their offerings.

Creating a supporting ecosystem

By creating a supporting ecosystem for iSIM, Sony Semiconductor Israel is simplifying supply chain complexity for cellular IoT device makers and giving customers the freedom to introduce new business models around connectivity. These include connectivity as a service, hardware as a service, bundled connectivity and others.

Standardization brings consistency

Just like other SIM technologies, iSIM is standardized, which means it is interoperable and acceptable by global cellular networks. Choosing an iSIM-enabled chipset brings all the known benefits of using cellular connectivity, including worldwide coverage for cellular IoT devices. Deploying connected devices becomes faster and easier, avoiding the challenges and complexities of connecting an IoT device to a local wireless network, like Wi-Fi, or using Bluetooth. Your device connects autonomously, straight out-of-the-box.

The industry’s best-in-class solution

Sony Semiconductor Israel has pioneered the integrated SIM within the chipset, and led the creation of its supporting ecosystem, simplifying the supply chain and complexity for cellular IoT device makers, enabling new business models and paving the way for traditional non cellular IoT device makers to make the transition to cellular IoT.