PARTNER FEATURE: The rapid rise of IoT connections, requiring always-on connectivity, is putting pressure on mobile network operators to offer resilient, reliable connectivity that can meet the evolving needs of their customers. To address these growing requirements, rSIM recently launched in Europe and is now making its debut in the US, expanding its reach to deliver resilient connectivity across these demanding markets. The patented, GSMA-certified technology addresses the weaknesses of legacy multi-IMSI SIM cards and supports total resilience for a wide range of use cases. Mobile network operators can therefore adopt rSIM with confidence, while increasing average revenue per user (ARPU), reducing customer churn and achieving operational efficiencies.
Connectivity requirements have evolved, so more use cases than ever before have a need for always-on, real-time connections. Previously, the preserve of critical use cases, always-on connectivity is now required by a wider array of applications such as assisted driving, ride-sharing vehicles, payment terminals and drones in addition to classic mission critical applications such as healthcare wearables, fire detection systems, personal safety and critical monitoring offerings.
A new approach is needed to improve on the existing, fragmented and highly variable experience delivered by so-called resilient solutions. These typically rely on a single SIM that can support multiple international mobile subscriber identities (IMSIs). These identities are attached to a single core network, which leaves the connection vulnerable in the event of a network outage affecting that core network. Multi-IMSI SIMs are also flawed because they are not device agnostic and are not standards-based.
While the multi-IMSI approach supports switching of networks in response to roaming restrictions or a change in country, the technology is complicated to manage because the multi-SIM does not test the connection itself and the process of switching between identities and localising the SIM needs to be controlled. The need to request information from the device slows the SIM down, which can result in interruptions to connectivity or even prevent the device from working altogether, both of which are unacceptable for high availability use cases.
R is for resilience
A multi-IMSI, multi-network, dual core SIM card such as rSIM, the world’s first truly resilient and intelligent SIM card, is device agnostic and constantly monitors connectivity using patented, GSMA-certified technology. If the connection is lost, the rSIM uses this technology to actively switch profiles, thereby maximising uptime.
rSIM has been created with SIM card manufacturer Thales and GSMA to create the standards-compliant, GSMA-certified rSIM with two independent mobile operator profiles. This is enabled using GSMA’s SGP.02 standard and helps to ensure device manufacturers that don’t have the skills to comply with standards can access a compliant solution that is built-in to the SIM card. Mobile network operators can be re-assured that rSIM is standards-compliant and will not damage their network.
“We’re able now to go to mobile operators and integrate two different core networks and put them in the SIM card which also contains our technology to test for connectivity and auto-detect if connectivity has gone down,” explains Cristina Barlow, the Head of Strategic Partnerships for North America at rSIM. “The rSIM will do this regardless of device and thereby support critical use cases effectively.”
Eliminate false positives
The rSIM’s continuous monitoring capability is important because we’ve all experienced seeing two or three bars on our mobile phones but being unable to send data and therefore mistrust indications of good service. For the expanded marketplace of devices that need critical connectivity, the stakes are even higher because an essential part of their offerings is the ability to know when connections aren’t available at the quality needed. The rSIM continuously monitors connectivity performance and initiates switching to another operator automatically if performance drops below the minimum level the application requires.
“The challenge isn’t coverage, it’s network outages, because 99% availability and uptime isn’t enough for critical applications,” adds Barlow. “Our experience supplying the most critical elements of industry, such as fire detection, led to us developing rSIM because we understand that lives depend on uninterrupted connectivity at the performance level that critical use cases need.”
“We support telehealth use cases via connected wearables,” she adds. “A fall monitor device, for example, sends a message to a patient’s carer in the event of a fall but a network outage means no help will come. Tragically, people have died as a result, and in this world, there is no acceptable level of resilience except 100%.”
The search for total resilience
It’s not possible for a single operator to ever deliver total reliability because of issues such as network downtime, maintenance-related interruptions, cyberattacks and congestion. Networks are also under greater pressure than previously because so many devices now connect to networks and the scale of IoT means that not all devices have been tested to ensure they interoperate optimally with networks. This means networks are open to abuse from devices that potentially hog bandwidth or allow security to be weakened. Mobile network operators that adopt rSIM will be able to support their critical connectivity customers better by offering real-time automatic switching to another operator, delivering greater value with a trusted, resilient offering.
“For maximised resilience we suggest users adopt two different operator SIM profiles form two different countries,” adds Barlow. “There could be instances in which in-country networks are unavailable so having an rSIM connection that simply goes to another operator that isn’t reliant on the core network can help ensure uninterrupted connections.”
Connected device communications have often suffered from not being reliable enough to be fully-trusted but with rSIM, operators have the opportunity to bring the monitored, totally reliable cellular network connectivity that IoT-enabled use cases demand. As connectivity needs evolve, rSIM helps operators do this even better by providing the monitored, totally reliable service that IoT-enabled use cases demand. With rSIM, mobile network operators can lead with rSIM so solution providers can have complete confidence in connectivity to support a new wave of continuously connected use cases.
Attendees at MWC are invited to visit the rSIM team at MWC Las Vegas.