2degrees launches eSIM

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › 2degrees launches eSIM

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#3102023 10-Jul-2023 10:58

A bit of context on eSIM from mobile network operator (MNO) perspective. eSIM is usually delivered in three phases:

eSIM for Phones via QR code scan - all three NZ MNO's have this today
eSIM for Phones via digital journeys - i.e. be able to install via a mobile app, be able to move your eSIM yourself from one phone to another (buy new phone, send phone for repair etc.) - none of the NZ MNO's have this today I don't think
eSIM for Wearables (mobile enabled watches) - only Spark has this with One NZ having publicly stated that it is in development.

Phase 1 can be done without any real time interface or integration between MNO CRM/BSS system and is mature technology so it is relatively easy to implement with a 3rd party hosted eSIM platform & QR code voucher generation - physical or digital which is a nice addition.

Phase 2 does require this real time interface along with what's called an "Entitlement Server" alongside the eSIM delivery platform that manages device permissions by service, then the digital journeys are built on top of this infrastructure.

Phase 3 requires the infrastructure as per Phase 2 and in addition the shared MSISDN phone number delivered by IMS / VoLTE service and supported on Core Network, mobile plan development and provisioning.

Phases 2 & 3 can be delivered in the reverse order (as Spark has done) as long as the full infrastructure requirement for both phases is installed.

Edit: Prior to iPhone 14 the right order would've probably been Phases 1/3/2. But if we are going to see an iPhone 15 that is eSIM only in rest of the world (as iPhone 14 was in the US) then Phase 2 becomes more important as otherwise, due the high volume of iPhone 15 sales, you will be driving a large number of customers to have to do a SIM swap when they upgrade to an iPhone 15 and that is a somewhat time-consuming process for customers and store/customer care staff.

The point is that it is really a lot more work for the MNO's to deliver Phases 2 & 3 after Phase 1, perhaps 3-4 times the amount of development and service testing (esp. with regards Apple Watch), which is why we are seeing the long delays.

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#3102051 10-Jul-2023 11:44

Hi Timmy.

Thanks very much for the context. This is great information. I guess the vast majority of consumers see eSim as a switch on service and the question is "It has been delivered for Phones why can't you just do the same for wearables?"

It is frustrating to have to wait particularly as one provider as already delivered it but I guess the others are working as quickly as they can to catch up.

Cheers, Matt.

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Foose

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#3110306 1-Aug-2023 09:49

Linux: Check around June / July

I guess whatever it is didn’t make the release deadline ? 😂 man I really want my Apple Watch eSIM to work. 😆

antonknee

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#3110308 1-Aug-2023 10:00

Another thanks to Timmy for the informative contribution. I will say if any of the carrier reps or insiders had bothered to post something like that as opposed to continually parroting "there's nothing to say, there will be PR when there is PR", then people wouldn't constantly bump the thread asking for updates.

The tiniest bit of transparency goes a long way, especially in a community that has a genuine interest in the subject matter. It's not as if this post gave away any confidential trade secrets or spoiled any of marketing's KPIs around launch day engagement. But it gave a lot more than anyone else has bothered to.

timmyh

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#3110337 1-Aug-2023 11:41

antonknee:

Another thanks to Timmy for the informative contribution...The tiniest bit of transparency goes a long way, especially in a community that has a genuine interest in the subject matter. It's not as if this post gave away any confidential trade secrets or spoiled any of marketing's KPIs around launch day engagement. But it gave a lot more than anyone else has bothered to.

My pleasure and you are spot on, it's great to provide this level of detail to a community who you know will enjoy and benefit from it and as you say, nothing commercially sensitive here. The 4G Watches are cool but where I think the real benefit comes from eSIM is in reducing friction of any process related to getting connected on the network, that will benefit a lot of different people in different scenarios. But there are real challenges around customer identification (electronic know your customer or eKYC) to prevent any fraud. Cheers!

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#3110856 2-Aug-2023 06:40

use to work at 2d so been bugging a mate about anything to do with wearables. My ultra wants to be the only device that goes to the gym or on a run with me, the watch gets very jealous of my iphone and its 4/5g connection lol.

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#3126625 12-Sep-2023 19:17

Good ole yearly Apple event tomorrow and I am going to be the one who budges this time with the question as providers in NZ are moving at snails pace with this.

I bought an Apple Watch Series 8 last year at release and that was already 2mo after 2degrees released esim where esim compatibility with wearables was coming "soon". Great I thought! So I wasted my money with a LTE model excited to get it connected "soon" only to have it still disconnected a year later.

I'm just saying, I'd love esim for wearables but to be honest I am really considering moving all my services away (note I have gone from a $400 monthly spend to a $150 monthly spend due to the unlimited plan saga a few years ago) likely to One NZ who have stated they'll have esim for wearables in the "next few weeks".

I know there is no information out yet but this year, I will be going with the provider who offers me the best service for a new iPhone and Apple Watch. So 2degrees, I really hope you're not sitting on your hands still and are close to launching because I am sure I am not the only one in this boat.

@SaskiaDonnell is there any information you can share in relation to esim for wearables or is the only information still "soon"?

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tardtasticx

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#3126634 12-Sep-2023 20:29

Saw the post in the OneNZ thread a short while too - if the "few weeks" timeline is correct I'll be moving my 2degrees mobile over to OneNZ as well. And depending how that goes, shifting the 2degrees broadband over once the contract on that is up.

OneNZs implementation of eSIM seems to be lightyears ahead of 2degrees' as well, at least on the mobile side you can delete the eSIM on the old phone, wait a few mins then re-add it on the new phone with the same QR code. 2degrees still looks like you have to visit a store to do it, and I'm not keen on having to do something like that for a wearable.

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#3127121 13-Sep-2023 14:12

OK. New Apple devices have now been launched.
I wonder if that means we’ll see some movement on the wearable eSIM front…

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SaskiaDonnell

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#3127135 13-Sep-2023 14:34

Hey Michael

The team is actively working on additional eSIM functionality - we'll share more as soon as we can.

michaelmurfy:

Good ole yearly Apple event tomorrow and I am going to be the one who budges this time with the question as providers in NZ are moving at snails pace with this.

I bought an Apple Watch Series 8 last year at release and that was already 2mo after 2degrees released esim where esim compatibility with wearables was coming "soon". Great I thought! So I wasted my money with a LTE model excited to get it connected "soon" only to have it still disconnected a year later.

I'm just saying, I'd love esim for wearables but to be honest I am really considering moving all my services away (note I have gone from a $400 monthly spend to a $150 monthly spend due to the unlimited plan saga a few years ago) likely to One NZ who have stated they'll have esim for wearables in the "next few weeks".

I know there is no information out yet but this year, I will be going with the provider who offers me the best service for a new iPhone and Apple Watch. So 2degrees, I really hope you're not sitting on your hands still and are close to launching because I am sure I am not the only one in this boat.

@SaskiaDonnell is there any information you can share in relation to esim for wearables or is the only information still "soon"?

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#3127148 13-Sep-2023 15:11

I’m definitely in the same boat as @michaelmurfy. I stayed with Spark so that I could continue using the cellular function of my watch, moved my wife to 2degrees to take advantage of some good joining deals. Twelve months later I’m still with Spark, ready to upgrade to a new phone and watch, wanting to go to 2degrees as well, but can’t/won’t until the eSIM situation is sorted.

The generic “soon” response is pretty frustrating too. It’s been “soon” for over a year now hasn’t it?

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#3127878 14-Sep-2023 18:30

*puts hand up*

After resisting for several years I have ordered an iWatch 9--with LTE. I recently switched my iPhone to eSim, which was relatively painless. I'm anticipating getting many years out of this watch (haven't owned any watch for 2 decades), so if it's several months I'll be OK with waiting a bit longer. But seems like an easy way to add users and income.

tripp

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#3127992 15-Sep-2023 06:58

SaskiaDonnell:

Hey Michael

The team is actively working on additional eSIM functionality - we'll share more as soon as we can.

michaelmurfy:

Good ole yearly Apple event tomorrow and I am going to be the one who budges this time with the question as providers in NZ are moving at snails pace with this.

I bought an Apple Watch Series 8 last year at release and that was already 2mo after 2degrees released esim where esim compatibility with wearables was coming "soon". Great I thought! So I wasted my money with a LTE model excited to get it connected "soon" only to have it still disconnected a year later.

I'm just saying, I'd love esim for wearables but to be honest I am really considering moving all my services away (note I have gone from a $400 monthly spend to a $150 monthly spend due to the unlimited plan saga a few years ago) likely to One NZ who have stated they'll have esim for wearables in the "next few weeks".

I know there is no information out yet but this year, I will be going with the provider who offers me the best service for a new iPhone and Apple Watch. So 2degrees, I really hope you're not sitting on your hands still and are close to launching because I am sure I am not the only one in this boat.

@SaskiaDonnell is there any information you can share in relation to esim for wearables or is the only information still "soon"?

Ah telco's and their "soon" line. I don't really think that is acceptable now, "soon" seems to mean years in telco speak these days. I will also be looking at jumping over to onenz once they have enabled wearable data on apple watch. 2D you will end up losing customers being the last one to get it done or keeping up with this "soon" line.

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#3128863 17-Sep-2023 22:52

tripp:
Ah telco's and their "soon" line. I don't really think that is acceptable now, "soon" seems to mean years in telco speak these days. I will also be looking at jumping over to onenz once they have enabled wearable data on apple watch. 2D you will end up losing customers being the last one to get it done or keeping up with this "soon" line.

Yeah I’ve been an active advocate for 2D but am now currently looking into my options for my long term mobile future. It’s just been too long with no substance to the promises.

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#3128865 17-Sep-2023 23:09

The term "soon" is legally completely non-binding, whereas the term "immediately" can be assumed to mean "as soon as demonstrably possible".

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