SGP.32 and eSIM Glossary
The eSIM and SGP.32 ecosystem is built on GSMA specifications, 3GPP standards and decades of cellular industry terminology. This glossary covers the terms you will encounter most frequently, defined in plain language with context.
Bootstrap Profile
A minimal pre-installed SIM credential on the eUICC that provides limited connectivity at device first power-up, sufficient to reach an SM-DP+ server and download an operational operator profile. Bootstrap profiles are time-limited (typically one year) and traffic-restricted. See eSIM Bootstrap Issues for a full explanation.
CoAP – Constrained Application Protocol
A lightweight messaging protocol designed for machine-to-machine communication on constrained networks. Defined in RFC 7252, CoAP runs over UDP rather than TCP, significantly reducing overhead. SGP.32 uses CoAP for profile management on NB-IoT and LTE-M devices where HTTPS would be too data-intensive.
DTLS – Datagram Transport Layer Security
The UDP equivalent of TLS. Since CoAP runs over UDP, standard TLS cannot be used directly. DTLS provides cryptographic security – authentication, integrity protection and encryption – for SGP.32 profile operations over CoAP.
eIM – eSIM IoT Manager
The server-side orchestration component introduced in SGP.32. The eIM manages the complete lifecycle of eSIM profiles across IoT device fleets without user interaction. Replaces the SM-SR from SGP.02. See SGP.32 Architecture.
eUICC – Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card
The physical secure element chip soldered onto a device PCB that stores and manages eSIM profiles. The hardware that makes eSIM possible – it can store multiple profiles and switch between them under instruction from the management architecture.
GSMA
The GSM Association – the industry body that defines eSIM and RSP specifications including SGP.02, SGP.22, SGP.31 and SGP.32. The GSMA represents mobile network operators globally and acts as standards body and certificate issuer for eSIM security infrastructure.
iSIM – Integrated SIM
An evolution of eSIM where SIM functionality is integrated directly into the application processor or cellular SoC, eliminating the separate eUICC chip. iSIM operates under the same GSMA standards as eUICC. See The Future of eSIM.
IPA – IoT Profile Assistant
The device-side component introduced in SGP.32 that replaces the LPA from SGP.22. The IPA has no user-facing functions – it exists to receive management instructions from the eIM and execute profile operations on the eUICC.
LPA – Local Profile Assistant
The device-side component in SGP.22 consumer eSIM that handles user-initiated profile management via QR codes and activation codes. The dependency on user interaction is why SGP.22 is not suitable for headless IoT devices, and why the IPA was introduced in SGP.32.
LTE-M
LTE Cat-M1 – a low-power wide area network standard supporting device mobility. Used for asset trackers, wearables and logistics devices. Natively supported in SGP.32 constrained-network provisioning.
MNO – Mobile Network Operator
An operator owning radio access network infrastructure and spectrum. In the UK: EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three. See MNO, MVNO and eSIM Resellers.
MVNO – Mobile Virtual Network Operator
An operator providing mobile services using leased MNO capacity, without owning spectrum. In IoT, specialist MVNOs like Wireless Logic and Eseye often operate their own eIM and SM-DP+ infrastructure.
NB-IoT – Narrowband IoT
A 3GPP LPWAN standard for ultra-low-power IoT devices. Deep penetration, very low power, small data payloads. Smart meters, utility sensors and environmental monitors are primary use cases. SGP.32 is the first eSIM standard genuinely viable on NB-IoT.
RSP – Remote SIM Provisioning
The general term for the process and technology allowing SIM profiles to be downloaded and managed over the air. SGP.02, SGP.22 and SGP.32 are all RSP specifications, each defining a different architecture.
SGP.02
The GSMA M2M eSIM standard for automotive. Uses SM-SR and SM-DP components. Creates operator lock-in and is impractical for large-scale IoT. See SGP.32 vs SGP.02 vs SGP.22.
SGP.22
The GSMA consumer eSIM standard for smartphones and tablets. User-initiated pull model using QR codes via the LPA. Wide ecosystem but unsuitable for headless IoT. Many IoT routers use SGP.22 with management layers on top.
SGP.31
The GSMA architecture and requirements specification for IoT eSIM. SGP.31 defines what the system must do; SGP.32 defines how.
SGP.32
The GSMA IoT eSIM technical specification, published May 2023, v1.2 current. Introduces the eIM and IPA architecture for server-initiated IoT profile management over CoAP or HTTPS.
SM-DP+ – Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus
The secure backend server that prepares, stores and delivers eSIM profiles. Introduced in SGP.22 and deliberately reused in SGP.32. Operated by MNOs, specialist MVNOs and IoT connectivity providers.
SM-SR – Subscription Manager Secure Routing
The SGP.02 component managing profile routing. Created operator lock-in. Replaced in SGP.32 by the more flexible eIM architecture.
Zero-Touch Provisioning
A deployment approach where IoT devices configure themselves on first power-up without manual intervention. eSIM bootstrap profiles combined with eIM or RMS remote management enable zero-touch deployment – a device can arrive at a remote location, power up, download its profile, register with the management platform and begin operating without any on-site human action.
eSIM Switching
The ability to remotely change a device mobile network profile without physically replacing the SIM card, using eUICC technology and standards such as SGP.32. eSIM switching enables devices to move between operator profiles over the air, based on rules, policies, or manual instruction from a management platform. As a commercial category, eSIM switching describes the layer of software that orchestrates these profile changes across a device fleet. See What is eSIM Switching?
eSIM Switching Platform
A software platform that enables remote control, automation, and policy-based switching of eSIM profiles across multiple mobile networks and operator relationships. An eSIM switching platform typically includes a device dashboard, profile catalogue, switching controls, policy engine, and API access. It sits above the eIM and SM-DP+ infrastructure and provides the enterprise-facing interface for connectivity orchestration. The emerging commercial expression of what SGP.32 enables at the infrastructure level.
Dynamic Connectivity
A connectivity model where devices actively adapt their network relationship based on real-time conditions rather than remaining statically bound to a single operator from deployment. Dynamic connectivity contrasts with static SIM provisioning and is enabled by eUICC technology, SGP.32 architecture, and eSIM switching platforms. The commercial expression of the shift from thinking about SIMs as hardware to thinking about connectivity as software.
Profile Orchestration
The automated management of eSIM profile lifecycle – downloading, activating, switching, and retiring profiles – across a fleet of devices. Profile orchestration in the SGP.32 model is handled by the eIM, but higher-level orchestration platforms add business logic such as cost optimisation, coverage-based switching, regulatory compliance, and failover policies. eSIM switching platforms provide the profile orchestration layer accessible to enterprise operators.
Static Connectivity
The traditional IoT connectivity model where a device is provisioned with a single operator SIM at deployment and that relationship cannot be easily changed without physical SIM replacement. Static connectivity is the problem that eUICC technology, SGP.32, and eSIM switching platforms are designed to solve. Most IoT devices currently in the field still operate on static connectivity, making the shift to dynamic connectivity models a significant operational and commercial transformation.
Network Agility
The capability of an IoT deployment to adapt its network relationships dynamically in response to coverage, cost, regulatory, or operational factors. Network agility is enabled by eSIM switching platforms and the SGP.32 profile orchestration model. The practical business outcome of deploying eUICC hardware with appropriate management infrastructure.
For the full technical picture, start with What is SGP.32? or the Architecture guide.