Connect devices at scale with eSIM solutions

Traditional SIM cards were built for a world of static devices and fixed carrier contracts. But today’s businesses are launching connected products that move, grow, and expand globally. With the global eSIM market expected to reach $20.6 billion by 2032, it’s clear that demand for flexible and scalable connectivity is accelerating rapidly.

Controlling network access through physical SIMs creates logistical hurdles, delays deployments, and limits your ability to adapt.

Modern teams require adaptable, programmable connectivity that seamlessly integrates into their products and workflows. That’s why more companies are turning to eSIM solutions: a smarter way to activate, manage, and grow their device networks without relying on legacy telecom infrastructure.

eSIMs replace traditional SIM cards with software-defined profiles that can be deployed and updated remotely, enabling businesses to onboard devices faster, simplify operations, and expand globally with minimal friction. When paired with the right platform, eSIMs provide centralized access to provisioning and performance, as well as the freedom to switch networks on demand.

In this post, we’ll explain what eSIM solutions are, explore key use cases across various industries, and demonstrate how Telnyx enables fast and adaptable connectivity for both consumer and IoT deployments.

What are eSIM solutions?

An eSIM solution combines software, infrastructure, and connectivity tools that let businesses provide mobile network access to devices—without relying on traditional SIM cards.

These solutions typically include downloadable eSIM profiles, APIs for provisioning and configuration, and integrations with global carriers, enabling seamless embedding of cellular service into digital products and operations.

Instead of inserting or swapping SIM cards, businesses can activate and manage service over the air. This removes friction from logistics, hardware differences, and carrier-specific limitations.

Leading platforms go beyond basic provisioning to offer secure, programmatic access to mobile networks, backed by infrastructure built for global, high-volume deployments. For growing companies, this enables faster launches, simpler operations, and more responsive product development.

By integrating eSIM solutions into their stack, teams can stay focused on building and expanding their products while the telecom layer runs quietly and reliably in the background.

eSIM solutions in action

eSIM adoption is expanding rapidly across both consumer and industrial use cases. In the consumer space, global brands and mobile-first businesses use eSIMs to embed connectivity into their apps and devices. For example, a travel tech company can provision short-term data plans directly through its app, giving users instant mobile access as they land in a new country, with no need for a plastic SIM.

For wearable device makers, out-of-the-box access means faster onboarding and full ownership of the user experience. On the enterprise side, eSIMs are changing how businesses deploy and manage IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) devices. Devices such as fleet trackers, connected cameras, smart meters, and industrial sensors often operate in dispersed geographical areas, each with distinct network requirements.

With eSIMs, companies can deploy once and handle service from anywhere, reducing costs and increasing agility. This table looks at some use cases for eSIM solutions across various industries:

These use cases demonstrate how eSIM solutions are enabling businesses to simplify deployment, enhance user experience, and unlock new possibilities for connected products across various industries.

Key features to look for in an eSIM solution

Not all eSIM solutions are equal. While many providers offer basic connectivity, scaling a global deployment or integrating access into your product experience requires much more. The right solution should streamline operations, adapt to your product needs, and support growth, without adding complexity or overhead.

Global coverage with intelligent network selection

Connectivity shouldn't break the moment your devices leave a core market. A strong eSIM solution enables easy maintenance of reliable service across countries and carriers, without requiring region-specific variants or relying on roaming agreements. But reach only gets you so far.

What really matters is how easily your devices can stay online as conditions change. Look for platforms that support multi-IMSI or dynamic network switching, allowing your devices to automatically select the best available network based on signal strength, cost, or performance, in real-time.

Flexible form factor support

Your eSIM solution should work with your existing hardware, not force you to redesign it. Look for compatibility with embedded, removable, and triple-cut SIM formats, so you can support a wide range of devices, from wearables and smartphones to industrial gateways and vehicle trackers. Hardware-agnostic support also simplifies supply chain logistics and futureproofs your deployments across different product lines.

Centralized management and remote provisioning

Managing thousands of devices shouldn’t require a manual process. A robust eSIM platform should provide centralized management over the entire SIM lifecycle, including activation, suspension, and reconfiguration. Remote provisioning enables you to push updates over the air, troubleshoot issues without needing to be on-site, and automate connectivity workflows via APIs or through a portal.

Security and infrastructure control

When devices are moving sensitive data or supporting critical services, it's essential to know who owns and operates the underlying infrastructure. Many eSIM vendors rely on third-party aggregators, which can introduce latency, risk, and limited visibility. Prioritize solutions built on private core networks with full-stack ownership. This ensures better performance, end-to-end encryption, GSMA-compliant provisioning, and greater transparency over how your connectivity is handled and secured.

Simplify connectivity at scale with Telnyx

Embedding connectivity into your product should be as intuitive as deploying software, but most businesses still face outdated logistics, rigid infrastructure, and limited control. That’s where Telnyx comes in.

Telnyx offers two eSIM solutions designed for modern teams that need to launch quickly, operate globally, and scale without compromise. Both solutions run on Telnyx’s private LTE core and global IP backbone, giving you secure, programmable connectivity from day one.

eSIM-as-a-Service: Powering consumer apps and digital products

Built for mobile-first brands and app developers, eSIM-as-a-Service makes launching branded connectivity features without touching telco infrastructure simple. Provision eSIMs instantly through your own interface, run everything via API, and reach over 650 networks in more than 180 countries. Whether you're embedding travel connectivity or launching a new mobile service, you control the entire experience, with no delays.

IoT eSIM: Built for industrial scale and flexibility

For global fleets and mission-critical devices, the Telnyx IoT eSIM provides the control and resilience enterprise teams need. It supports multiple SIM form factors and includes multi-IMSI capabilities for dynamic profile switching. With centralized SIM management and API-first provisioning, teams can deploy once, connect anywhere, and adapt in real time—no physical swaps required.

With Telnyx, connectivity becomes part of your product, not a separate system to manage. That means faster launches, fewer moving parts, and a platform you control.