This document discusses different cellular connectivity options for IoT devices and how a multi-IMSI architecture makes global deployments more manageable. It explains that a multi-IMSI SIM provides access to multiple cellular networks from a single SIM card, avoiding the need to procure SIMs from multiple carriers. When combined with an eSIM, it offers the benefits of both technologies like coverage, control over network selection, and independence from vendors. The Twilio Super SIM is highlighted as a product that uses this approach to deliver maximum uptime and efficient management of global IoT fleets through a single connectivity platform.

1. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How a Multi-IMSI
architecture makes global
cellular IoT deployments
manageable
Tobias Goebel
Principal Product Marketing Manager, Twilio IoT
@tpgoebel
linkedin.com/in/tpgoebel

2. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Local SIMs from
local carriers
Roaming SIM eSIM/eUICC Multi-IMSI SIM
Your cellular IoT options
Is there one SIM to rule them all?

3. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
SIM Form Factors vs SIM Profile Types
SIM Profile Types:
(Software)
Local SIMs Roaming SIM eSIM/eUICC Multi-IMSI SIM
Form Factors:
(Hardware) 2FF
Mini SIM
3FF
Micro SIM
4FF
Nano SIM
MFF2
Embedded SIM

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How local SIMs connect
On the Role of Mobile Cores
Home Network
Home Network
IMSIs
• Subscriber Identity
• Access to a single network, or hundreds
Internet
Data
Radio
• Authenticate the device
• Route and breakout the data
(e.g. to the Internet)
• Can behave differently towards device
(e.g. timeouts, routing prioritizations)
Mobile Cores
Local SIMs
• Many SIMs (=SKUs) to procure
• Many carriers to deal with
• Many integrations to test
• Local Internet Breakouts

5. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How a roaming SIM connects
On the Role of Mobile Cores
Internet
Home Network
*
Visited Network
IMSIs
• Authenticate the device
• Route and breakout the data
(e.g. to the Internet)
• Can behave differently towards device
(e.g. timeouts, routing prioritizations)
Mobile Cores
• Subscriber Identity
• Access to a single network, or hundreds
Data
Radio
Roaming SIM
• One SIM (= one SKU) to procure
• One carrier to manage
• Latency issues
• Network steering!

6. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
eSIM/eUICC
● One piece of hardware
● Many SIM profiles (= many carriers)
● Only one can be active
Switching SIM Profile requires...
Cloud Server
(SM-SR)
M2M
Device-side
code
(Local
Profile
Assistant)
Consumer
Cloud Server
(SM-SR)
Cloud push for profile switch still
possible for IoT!
● 2 GSMA-defined standard architectures:
○ M2M: Server-dependent = expensive, or
vendor dependency
○ Consumer: No dependency

7. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How an eUICC eSIM connects
On the Role of Mobile Cores
Internet
Home Network
Home Network
IMSIs
• Authenticate the device
• Route and breakout the data
(e.g. to the Internet)
• Can behave differently towards device
(e.g. timeouts, routing prioritizations)
Mobile Cores
• Subscriber Identity
• Access to a single network, or hundreds
Data
Radio
eSIM/eUICC
• One SIM (= one SKU) to procure
• Many carriers (many SIM profiles!)
• Many integrations to test
• Possible cost for dormant profiles

8. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How a Multi-IMSI SIM connects
On the Role of Mobile Cores
Network 2
Network 1
IMSIs
• Authenticate the device
• Route and breakout the data
(e.g. to the Internet)
• Can behave differently towards device
(e.g. timeouts, routing prioritizations)
Mobile Cores
• Subscriber Identity
• Access to a single network, or hundreds
Data
Radio
Internet
Multi-IMSI
• Only one SIM (= one SKU) to procure
• Access to many networks
• Only one provider to manage
• One core, decoupled from carriers
• Full control, no network steering

9. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Multi-IMSI and eSIM can be combined
● Multi-IMSI SIM is one of the available
profiles on the eUICC
● Best of both worlds:
○ Multi-IMSI’s simplicity,
coverage, and network
selectability
○ eSIM’s vendor
independence (only with
Consumer profiles)
● Good approach for existing contracts/
rates, or to leverage a carrier’s retail
distribution channel
Local
SIM 1
Local
SIM 2
Multi-IMSI
SIM

10. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Multiple paths to a network
Multi-IMSI SIM on eSIM
eSIM
SIM
Profile 1
SIM
Profile 2
Multi-IMSI SIM Profile 1 SIM
Profile 3
...

11. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2020 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Twilio Super SIM®
One SIM. One Experience. Maximum Uptime.

12. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Twilio Super SIM
Maximum global coverage
on one SIM
Stop managing carriers
Access hundreds of 2G, 3G,
LTE, and IoT networks from
top tier carriers – all via
one multi-IMSI SIM
Choice of networks, with
built-in redundancy
Get reliable service
Select and control which
carriers each of your devices connect
to, with automatic
failover if needed
Efficient operations on a
global IoT-only network
Reduce connectivity TCO
Manage your entire fleet
centrally with APIs & console,
and benefit from constant
platform improvements
Free expert advice and
self-help resources
Accelerate time to value
Prototype and go to production
quickly with free trial, free
resources and free expert
advisory – all pre-contract
No shenanigans
pricing and fulfilment
Predict your costs accurately
Get your SIM orders fulfilled fast and
control your cellular costs with
upfront discounts and never pay for
overages or unused data

13. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
#4 Pick the right platform
Also available as eSIM
profile!

14. © 2021 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
2022 TWILIO INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Sign up for a free
Super SIM today!
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