TECHNICAL
supporting the growing demand for Massive IoT deployments.
EU’s DMA Forces OTT Channels to Develop Cross-platform Capabilities, with Apple Supporting RCS in Response In September 2023, the EU designated six digital gatekeepers, in accordance with the new regulations on big tech introduced by the DMA (Digital Markets Act). These gatekeepers include Apple, Meta and Microsoft, affecting 22 communication platforms, including WhatsApp and Messenger. A significant impact of this legislation is the creation of an obligation for gatekeepers to provide third-party interoperability within the OTT messaging ecosystem, including apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger. Meta has already begun to develop this feature, with interoperability needing to be supported by March 2024 in order to comply with these new EU regulations. OTT channels will be under intense pressure to develop these cross-platform capabilities in 2024, as these platforms will face fines as high as 10% of global turnover, with potential to rise to 20% for repeat offences if regulations are not complied with by March 2024. In response to the legislation, WhatsApp has begun to develop an interoperable chat feature, that will enable users to communicate across OTT messenger apps. This can be seen in the updated app’s code which contains coding for a third-party inbox.
Figure 8: Total Number of eSIMs Installed in Connected Devices in 2028: 7 Billion
in these industries will be a priority. iSIM will be a key technology that will enable device vendors to accomplish this. Additionally, the launch of SGP.31/32 will also help drive the growth of iSIMs in 2024. These standards enable interoperability with eSIM profiles without user interaction, thanks to the LPA (Local Profile Assistant) evolving into an IPA (IoT Profile Assistant), SGP.31/.32 also introduces the eIM (eSIM IoT Remote Manager) for standardised provisioning and management of eSIM- enabled IoT devices across larger IoT networks;
iSIM-capable Devices to Proliferate in 2024, Driving Global eSIM Adoption An iSIM (integrated SIM) is a standard that places the functions of a traditional SIM, such as identification and security, directly into the software layer of the device in use, including consumer and IoT devices. During 2023, there were numerous examples of launches of iSIM platforms and modules, from companies such as Nokia, Kigen and Thales. Over the course of 2024, we expect device vendors in the IoT space to be a key driver of the iSIM standard. IoT use cases are those that will benefit the most from the reduction in form factor enabled by the removal of a physical SIM module. Juniper Research predicts that there will be more urgency to deploy iSIMs over eSIMs; owing mainly to the complete removal of hardware dedicated to SIM functionality, and its integration into the software layer. For IoT device vendors, this will reduce development and manufacturing times, whilst the ability to use RSP (remote SIM provisioning) will reduce deployment costs for IoT users. Key industries that will drive this growth will be those that use LPWA (Low- power Wide-area) network technologies. Reducing the form factor of devices in use
Figure 9: Designated Gatekeepers and Platforms Under the DMA, 2023
MARCH 2024 Volume 46 No.1
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