SIM innovation progresses -Multospro file SIM and ESIM Efforts -Infocom Newsletter Protection of customer information

Happy new year 2018.Because it is a new year, I would like to predict what kind of year this year will be this year, but unfortunately there is no material that I can talk about about new services and products that attract new attention.very sorry.Surely, we think that our researcher at the Research Institute will report the predictions as usual, so please take a look.

Here, I felt that it would make a big change in the near future, so let's take it up.On November 28, last year, NTT DOCOMO announced that it has developed a multi -pro file SIM.With Gem Alto, the Netherlands, "Subscrew information (hereinafter referred to as profiles), such as telephone numbers and contract details required for using communication services, are stored in one SIM, and the profile according to the country and region.We have developed a multi -professional file SIM that can be switched to, and it was announced with comments on the world for the first time, such as audio communication and data communication using smartphones and tablets.

This multi -pro file SIM automatically store multiple profiles required to connect with telecommunications carriers in one SIM (six companies in this development) and automatically use profiles to be used according to the country and region.It implements a SIM application (applet) to switch, and makes use of Gem Alto's high security technology know -how.The stage of demonstration experiment with Thai TRUEMOVEH and Vietnam VNPT (2017).12.1 to 2018.3.30), but it is said that the service will be started in 2018.In addition, in addition to automatic switching of profile, it is possible to switch profiles manually and ensure flexibility according to the usage scene, so it is a winning item that can assume a variety of services.If you use this SIM, you will be able to receive the service of the local telecommunications carrier immediately without using roaming services at the past travel destination or replacing local telecommunications carriers with SIM.The options of the people will be expanded and the convenience will be further improved.

On the other hand, it is important to note that this multi -pro file SIM uses functions that depend on the device implementation, so it may not work properly depending on the smartphone or tablet model.However, compared to ESIM, which has similar functions described later and provided in advance, it seems to be available on a more smartphone tablet than ESIM, which is limited.There seems to be quite an annoying relationship in the relationship with ESIM.However, in the field of the SIM, it is clear that not only the increase in SIM -free terminals but also various innovations have occurred and new services are being born.It is a new challenge because it may be the beginning of a new regime change for mobile telecommunications carriers.

The full -scale of services using this multipro file SIM requires negotiations and decisions between telecommunications companies, and it is still at the stage of technology verification, so it is disturbing to think about the way to start the service. I feel. As the announcement of NTT DOCOMO said, "The current service provision, the country, regions to be provided, contract format, and use conditions are undecided." Difficulty is assumed because the interests (losses) adjustments between telecommunications carriers based on local legal systems, regulations, business customs, business strategies, etc. are involved. However, as long as there is a support for users, we have to proceed as a party. At that time, as a negotiation party, I think that the best way to use the existing partner relationship "Connexus Mobile Alliance", which was also founded in this technical verification, is the best way to negotiate. This Connexus Mobile Alliance has been established in April 2006 for more than 10 years, and now nine Asian telecommunications companies, including NTT DOCOMO, have become members, and are different in business, sightseeing and studying abroad. It is an alliance that can be expected to use this multi -pro file SIM very much because it is a place with many people interacting. Here, a certain service (including MVNOs, etc.) methods, contract forms, fees, billing, payment methods, etc. are compiled together in the form of basic terms (like a constitution). I think that it is the first decision to share within. Looking back on the past, I would like you to work on creating a new basic principle, remembering the complexity of relative negotiations in the process of developing and expanding roaming services. This is for users and consumers.

By the way, there is ESIM in similar to multi -pro file SIM, where many telecommunications carriers and vendors have already entered the world. There are two types of ESIMs, M2M models and consumer models, and the former M2M model has launched NTT DOCOMO for corporations on June 30, 2014. This is provided as a solution for corporations that use the "docomom2M platform", and it is possible to incorporate a single ESIM into devices and products and later write profiles such as telephone numbers of exported telecommunications carriers at any time. I am. It manages and controls ESIM profiles remotely, and is performed by a network line management platform called Subscription Manager (SM). This M2M model has already had a track record of export companies (automobiles, construction machinery, etc.), forming the flow of Btobtox services. However, the other consumer model ESIM has a concern about the damage to the established business model, which provides SIMs (lending SIM to the user) with a telecommunications device, and there is a standardization. Although it was late, on February 23, last year, NTT DOCOMO announced "ESIM Platform for Consumer Equipment -Realization of customer convenience by writing remote information on SIM cards to the SIM card." In addition, the profile can be written to the SIM immediately from the user terminal. Furthermore, as a terminal that supports this ESIM platform, the "DTAB COMACT D -01" was announced last May. increase.

To date, this consumer model ESIM has a docomo line profile by default and does not set the profile of other telecommunications carriers, improving work efficiency at stores and opening the contractor. The pursuit of merits such as simplification is the reason for adopting ESIM. ESIM can write profiles remotely by the contractor, so not only the convenience that can be used by setting up a local telecommunications business profile at the destination, but also the contractor selects the telecommunications carrier himself in the first place. There is a possibility that the business model has been built up by telecommunications carriers that can be opened, and concerns and thoughts are spreading over stakeholders. Although NTT DOCOMO has begun to provide consumer model ESIM, it does not provide services to write the profile of overseas telecommunications companies on smartphone and tablets, and has not negotiated between telecommunications businesses. is. The so -speaking platform construction of this telecommunications carrier, so to speak, a platform construction of the service aspect, has the necessity of providing services across telecommunications businesses because the multi -pro file SIM described above automatically switches profiles. Negotiations and adjustments between people will be performed ahead. Here, the role of Connexus Mobile Alliance, who has been working in the Asian region for more than 10 years, gains further expectations.

Until now, I have concentrated on networks (5G, IoT, etc.), devices (smartphones, tablets, VR, wearable, etc.), IT services (AI, robot, big data, etc.), but recently SIM. Mobile telecommunications carriers need to pay attention to the fact that the flow is expanding. In fact, in July last year, NTT Communications announced that "MVNO in Japan is the first MVNO to start a demonstration experiment of ESIM". The elasticity and liberalization of SIM handling can cause a major change in the business structure. However, it is inevitable to improve the flow and convenience of users and consumers. There is no other choice but to respond to regime changes. Communication carriers also cross the borders, use MVNO and mail -sales (retail) services in other countries and regions, and use new SIM innovations such as ESIM and multipro file SIM in cooperation with telecommunications carriers in the country. It's time to explore the way.