Enterprise IoT, Not Smartphones, Driving Next Wave of eSIM Growth
Global eSIM adoption is set to surge 30% by 2026, growing from 1.2 billion devices in 2025 to 1.5 billion, according to new data from Juniper Research. But unlike previous consumer-driven growth cycles, the real driver this time is enterprise IoT. Sectors like logistics, oil and gas, and smart cities are leading the charge, adding 75 million new connections in 2026 alone.
Centralized Control: The Turning Point for eSIM in Enterprise IoT
The shift in eSIM adoption came with the launch of the GSMA’s SGP.32 IoT eSIM standard in 2025. While older specifications catered primarily to consumer use cases, SGP.32 introduced server-driven bulk provisioning, allowing enterprises to activate and manage thousands of devices from a centralized system. This is critical for IoT applications in industries that demand instant, large-scale deployments without the manual intervention typical of older models.
Logistics fleets, energy systems, and smart street lighting rely on operations that prioritize scale, automation, and global reach. Juniper Research analysts identify SGP.32 as the backbone of this next phase of enterprise-scale eSIM adoption. However, the transition is exposing gaps in the traditional “pull” provisioning model, where devices individually download connectivity profiles. Enterprises now require platforms with “push” provisioning capabilities to efficiently manage tens of thousands of IoT devices simultaneously.
iSIM: The Emerging Player in Ultra-Light IoT Applications
Alongside eSIM, integrated SIM (iSIM) is quietly transforming connectivity in ultra-compact devices. iSIM eliminates the physical SIM module by embedding connectivity into the chipset itself, making it ideal for low-power devices like smart meters and logistics trackers. Juniper forecasts explosive growth for iSIM, with connections surging by 1,200% from 800,000 in 2024 to 10 million in 2026, fueled by GSMA standards SGP.41 and SGP.42.
By 2028, iSIM connections are expected to reach 210 million, consolidating its role in cost-sensitive, space-constrained IoT deployments. Analysts warn, however, that providers must adopt unified platforms accommodating both eSIM and iSIM standards to remain competitive.
What It Means for the Industry
eSIM adoption is no longer about convenience or consumer choice. It is evolving into a foundational technology for enterprise infrastructure. Market players that prioritize automation, scale, and flexibility stand to lead in this industrial transformation.
Mobile operators are investing heavily in IoT-specific connectivity platforms, while hardware manufacturers are embracing eSIM and iSIM from product design to deployment. Standards organizations like the GSMA are pushing for greater interoperability to avoid market fragmentation as form factors evolve.
As the eSIM narrative splits between consumer and enterprise use cases, the latter is poised to dominate growth over the next decade. For players across the eSIM ecosystem, the key to long-term success lies in adapting provisioning models from smartphones to IoT, emphasizing orchestration and centralized management.
For context, this is not unlike the shift seen in cloud computing a decade ago: branding and consumer-facing features matter less than scalable infrastructure. The eSIM industry risks losing relevance unless it evolves to meet these enterprise-driven demands.
