- eSIM and iSIM success comes from connected logistics, smart energy meters and more IoT
- There could be 210 million iSIM connections by 2028, up from 10 million in 2026
- Push provisioning from servers is the new way to deploy IoT eSIMs
New data has predicted that eSIM usage will increase by 30% in 2026 to reach 1.5 billion units, up from 1.2 billion in 2025, but the demand is not actually coming from smartphones and consumer contracts.
The projections from Juniper Research claim that connected logistics, oil and gas, and smart street lighting will be the top three sectors driving eSIM adoption, adding an estimated 75 million new connections to global networks by 2026.
This comes from GSMA’s SGP.32 IoT eSIM standard, launched in 2025, which enables server-driven bulk activation for easier connections.
eSIM numbers are up – but not from phones
But the analyst firm is concerned about a key challenge for eSIMs going forward – the industry is moving from a pull model, where devices download one profile individually, to a push model, where centralized departments deliver eSIMs to multiple devices simultaneously.
With this shift in deployment patterns, Juniper is encouraging eSIM platforms to develop their own push provisioning capabilities to support what appears to be growing enterprise demand for IoT eSIMS.
“For enterprise IoT users, using a pull model to deliver so many devices is inefficient, and eSIM platforms need to adapt,” explained senior researcher Ardit Ballhysa.
Separate research by Juniper in 2024 also predicted a similar rise in iSIMs, which are similar to eSIMs but are built directly into existing device components and therefore do not require a separate SIM module. Growth of 1,200% from 800,000 in 2024 to 10 million in 2026 was predicted, driven by the GSMA’s latest SGP.41/42 specifications designed to standardize and simplify iSIM deployment.
iSIMs are used in smart energy meters, remote logistics tools and small form factor devices that require low power consumption.
In addition, Juniper expects 210 million iSIM connections by 2028.
“eSIM vendors must ensure that they provide standards-agnostic platforms that are flexible to future form factors, standards and usage requirements,” wrote report author Elisha Sudlow-Poole.
Outside of corporate eSIM provision, new CCS Insight figures also show that consumer demand is increasing, particularly for travel, with a quarter of UK consumers already using an eSIM to access local fares.
eSIMs are preferred for their convenience and cost-saving benefits, with frustration over upcoming mobile price rises prompting almost half (45%) of Britons to use SIM-only deals and lengthening device upgrade cycles.
Although consumer eSIMs retain the already familiar pull model, it is clear that demand for non-physical SIMs is increasing and networks must be prepared for it.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, video unboxings, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
