COUNTRY FOCUS: UAE
D
u has recently demonstrated
e-SIM for the first time in the
Middle East, in collaboration
with Gemalto, the provider of digital
security. Demonstrated during a
roundtable held in Dubai, the e-SIM
initiative will enable du’s subscribers
to activate the e-SIM on any device
over the air. This will allow for an
enhanced user experience in a new era
of technology adoption that supports
multi-device usage – such as smart
watch, tablet, laptop, other wearable
devices or even cars.
Enabling a streamlined journey across
multiple touch points, the e-SIM allows
customers to flit between devices onthe-go, providing a seamless experience
of consumers’ key technologies.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Executive Vice
President of Network Development and
Operations at du, said “At du, we are
constantly innovating and developing
our products and solutions to simplify
and enhance the lives of our customers.
Individual and enterprise customers
increasingly rely on multiple devices for
myriad reasons and they all expect the
same seamless experience, no matter the
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device or when they use it. This is why we
are proud to bring the e-SIM technology
to the UAE for the first time and why we
are working with major businesses to
create tailor-made e-SIM solutions – to
ensure we are providing best-in-class
services for our valued customers.”
strong e-SIM ecosystem. According
to researches the growth will come
from connected IoT/M2M devices
estimated to be 15 Billion devices by
2020 including Connected Healthcare
Devices, Connected Automotive
Devices, and Smart Cities Devices.
A number of commercial launches
are anticipated this year by various
consumer technology organisations
which will support e-SIM in the region.
At the Mobile World Congress 2016,
Gemalto demonstrated its GSMAcompliant On-Demand Connectivity
solution, an end-to-end, interoperable
solution which features an e-SIM
managing subscription remotely.
AlBlooshi added: “The recent
demonstration of e-SIM adds further
impetus to the initiative of His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime
Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in
establishing the UAE as a global leader
in all aspects and as an innovator in
technology in the Middle East region.”
Furthermore, the e-SIM is a key driver
of IoT and M2M communication,
while reducing costs and improving
flexibility and efficiency as it drives
economies of scale. The e-SIM will
accelerate the growth of the IoT/M2M
Industry by providing a single de facto
standard for remote SIM provisioning.
The collaboration intends to avoid
market fragmentation and also drives
economies of scale for all stakeholders
and to support development of a
Commenting on the demonstration,
Benoit Jouffrey, Vice President of
On-Demand Connectivity solutions at
Gemalto said: “We are thrilled to work
with du on e-SIM technology to create
a powerful platform which will provide
tangible benefits for du’s customers.
The On Demand Connectivity
solution combined with the e-SIM
will dramatically increase business
opportunities across IoT verticals such
as automotive or consumer electronics
that rely on seamless connectivity.”
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