Powering a Seamless eSIM Future
Overview
As a leading Tier-1 telecom operator serving hundreds of millions of subscribers, our client envisioned a fully-digital future. With the surge in eSIM-ready smartphones, wearables and IoT devices across consumer and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) segments, they aimed to eliminate plastic SIMs, reduce fulfilment costs, lower environmental impact and deliver seamless digital activations.
As a trusted longstanding partner, we collaborated with our client to design, deploy and operate a GSMA-compliant eSIM platform that now anchors the operator’s digital experience. Our innovative enterprise-grade solution enabled rapid eSIM deployment, streamlined subscriber onboarding, enhanced operational efficiency – positioning their business for flexible, future-ready growth across both consumer and enterprise markets.
The Challenge
Scaling eSIM at speed — no plastic, full compliance
Transitioning from legacy SIM-based operations to a fully scalable digital eSIM infrastructure required addressing three key challenges:
- Dual-standard compliance: The solution had to meet both GSMA Consumer and M2M specifications and achieve SAS-SM certification to ensure full regulatory and security compliance.
- Mass-market scalability: Rapid expansion was essential to support millions of eSIM-enabled devices, from smartphones and wearables to connected vehicles and utility systems.
- Process modernization: Legacy, inventory-heavy SIM fulfilment workflows had to be replaced with seamless digital-first processes — without disrupting existing services.
Our client also aimed to use this shift as a catalyst for greater operational agility and faster time-to-market in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
The Objective
Accelerate a seamless, scalable and compliant eSIM transformation
Our client sought to deploy a robust, on-premises eSIM solution that was fully integrated with their existing BSS/OSS, CRM and activation systems. It was imperative for the solution to be market-ready, built from the ground up for effortless scalability and aligned with their digital transformation goals.
A critical objective was to achieve GSMA SAS-SM certification on the first attempt, ensuring regulatory compliance and security from day one. Additionally, the platform needed to support self-service activations and zero-touch provisioning to handle projected triple-digit transaction growth across both consumer and enterprise segments.
We stepped in as their engineering partner to empower this transition by providing end-to-end technology expertise, hands-on support and audit preparedness to ensure a confident and successful eSIM launch.
The Solution
End-to-end eSIM management built for scale and compliance
Our team delivered a GSMA SAS-SM–compliant eSIM management platform that integrates seamlessly with our client’s existing technology landscape. The solution encompassed both consumer and M2M segments, providing extensive capabilities for diverse device categories.
Key components of our solution included:
- Consumer eSIM remote management:
- Implemented HCLTech’s robust RSPM SM-DP+ platform tailored for consumer postpaid and prepaid devices, enhancing digital activation experiences.
- Enterprise M2M eSIM management:
- Deployed specialized HCLTech’s RSPM SM-DP and SM-SR platforms to support enterprise verticals, such as automotive connectivity and smart utilities, facilitating advanced machine-to-machine communications.
- Local and professional service integration:
- Integrated comprehensive deployment, configuration and operational support services to ensure rapid adoption and seamless ongoing management.
- Provided hands-on guidance through GSMA SAS SM certification audits, ensuring regulatory alignment and compliance at every stage.
By combining the HCLTech RSPM software suite’s flexibility with tailored professional services, we empowered our client to launch a future-ready eSIM platform that supports millions of devices, maximizes operational efficiency and underpins their ongoing digital growth.
The Impact
Accelerated growth, operational agility and full control over the eSIM value chain
With the deployment of our end-to-end eSIM solution, our client achieved transformative outcomes across multiple dimensions of their business:
- Faster time-to-market: eSIM based mobile subscription’s activation cycles dropped from days to hours, accelerating market response and boosting customer satisfaction.
- Exponential growth: eSIM transactions nearly doubled year-over-year, proving scalability across consumer and M2M segments.
- Cost efficiency: In-house platform ownership reduced reliance on external vendors and eliminated associated fees usually associated with As A Service (aaS) eSIM model.
- Sustainability: Removing physical SIMs cut plastic waste and logistics emissions, advancing environmental goals.
The result? A future-ready telecom operator equipped with the speed, control and resilience to lead in the digital connectivity era.
Looking Ahead
Expanding eSIM capabilities to new frontiers
Our partnership with our client continues to evolve, driving next-gen eSIM use cases — advancing beyond traditional QR code activations, from app-based and push-notification to adopting new GSMA IoT standards for ultra-low-power devices.
As a trusted strategic partner, we at HCLTech remain committed to driving continuous innovation and operational excellence, enabling our client to deliver exceptional subscriber experiences and maintain telecom market leadership in a rapidly connected world.
