The demand for global over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities and secure, seamless connectivity means eSIM technology has a key role to play in the future of the software-define vehicle (SDV).
Earlier this year, Cubic3, a leading global provider of SDV solutions partnered with Thales, a global leader in eSIM technology, to address the rising need for smart and efficient automotive eSIM connectivity that matches the latest GSMA SGP.32 standard. As the latest eSIM SGP.32 standard, becomes increasingly important for automakers, Cubic3 and Thales’ partnership supports this, delivering a seamless global experience for the connected car eSIM ecosystem.
So, how is eSIM for connected vehicles shaping the software-defined vehicle and what do automakers need to know about SGP.32 remote SIM provisioning to ensure they are harnessing the value of this standard effectively? Cubic3’s Senior SIM Engineering leader Julie Gibb and Thales’ Marketing Director Florent Abat discuss what the latest GSMA SGP.32 standard means for automakers and the connected car going forward.
Q1. Why is the latest eSIM Remote SIM Provisioning standard — SGP.32 — crucial for the software-defined vehicle?
Julie Gibb, Cubic3:
The core strength of eSIM lies in SGP.32 Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP). While earlier standards like SGP.02 enabled remote provisioning, they kept automakers tied to a single network operator, limiting flexibility. The new eSIM SGP.32 standard changes that. It allows automakers to download, switch and update eSIM profiles over the air, reducing reliance on a single provider and simplifying localisation for different markets. This is especially critical in countries like Brazil, India and Turkey, which have regulations against permanent roaming or require local data residency.
With SGP.32 automotive eSIM, vehicles can connect to local networks without physical SIM changes, ensuring compliance and better performance. Local connectivity also improves services such as over-the-air (OTA) updates, navigation and infotainment, while enabling access to 5G Standalone features available only through local integration. Additionally, SGP.32 streamlines manufacturing — vehicles can be built once and updated later. It also acts as connectivity insurance, helping OEMs avoid vendor lock-in, respond to network changes and maintain cross-border service throughout a vehicle’s life.
Florent Abat, Thales:
eSIM with GSMA-standard Remote Sim Provisioning (RSP) gives automakers secure, end-to-end control of connectivity throughout the vehicle’s life. It enables remote onboarding, updates and switching at scale, with global interoperability across operators and vendors. That consistency is essential for safety-critical services like eCall, diagnostics and eSIM for vehicle telematics as well as OTA updates. eSIM and RSP support seamless eSIM for automotive OTA updates, which help reduce car recalls, drive cost savings and keep vehicles continuously up to date with the latest enhancements and security patches.
The eSIM SGP.32 standard is a game changer because it creates a flexible and secure foundation for managing millions, and soon billions, of connected vehicles. By streamlining how devices connect, switch networks and stay secure throughout their lifetime, the GSMA SGP.32 standard makes it far easier for manufacturers to scale up, innovate and enable resilient connectivity with the ability to switch networks as needed. The standard means automotive OEMs can simplify global deployments, confidently manage security and ensure that connected vehicles are always ready for a rapidly expanding, digital world. Additionally, our approach to SGP.32 remote SIM provisioning is to enhance it through advanced automation, enabling IoT devices to seamlessly connect to the best local mobile networks over time and ensuring resilience.
Q.2 What challenges do automakers need to be aware of and plan for when it comes to SGP.32?
Julie Gibb, Cubic3:
SGP.32 is becoming the preferred standard for eSIM in autonomous vehicles and connected vehicles, offering greater flexibility and scalability. However, it also brings new challenges. Automakers must manage multiple network operator relationships, contracts and complex back-end integrations, which can be costly and labour-intensive. Supporting both SGP.32 and the older SGP.02 standard complicates fleet management, as vehicles support only one standard at a time.
Cybersecurity also remains a major concern. While the eSIM SGP.32 standard includes strong security measures, its reliance on cloud-based infrastructure increases software management complexity. Multiple parties must coordinate to maintain ecosystem security, especially with multiple eSIMs managed on a single platform. Full compliance with the GSMA SGP.32 standard is essential for interoperability, security and regulatory approval. For automakers expert guidance or using managed services will allow them to handle these complexities effectively.
Florent Abat, Thales:
Automakers must also plan for reliable, scalable connectivity over the entire vehicle lifecycle, especially as the number of connected cars grows. SGP.32 offers enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency, making it easier to manage fleets across multiple networks and regions. Prioritising robust security and seamless integration help automakers ensure continuous connectivity and resilience in critical automotive services.
Q.3 Many car makers will need to manage fleets of vehicles, some using the legacy standard SGP.02 and other, newer vehicles using SGP.32. How can they manage this effectively? How does the Cubic3-Thales partnership support this?
Florent Abat, Thales:
Mixed fleets using SGP.02, and SGP.32 automotive eSIM will persist for years. Automakers need to plan for hybrid operations: they must maintain SGP.02 for existing vehicles while adopting the eSIM SGP.32 standard for new ones and ensure GSMA compliance.
Thales supports with secure eSIMs, standards-based management, conformance testing and robust cybersecurity to reduce risk and ensure smooth interoperability. Thales is already running proof of concepts (PoCs) with several OEMs, most of whom request validation using our IPAe (an IoT Profile Assistant that resides on the eUICC), which eases the transition since it works without requiring changes to the existing device or the telematics control unit (TCU).
Julie Gibb, Cubic3:
Managing vehicles with both SGP.02 and SGP.32 is complex due to different data models, workflows and security requirements. This raises costs and strains backend systems. Cubic3 Cloud offers a unified platform to manage fleets using both standards. It removes the technical differences, automates provisioning and profile switching and ensures consistent network and billing policies. Our platform simplifies network operator onboarding and certificate management, allowing staged deployment of SGP.32 remote SIM provisioning alongside SGP.02 with options to revert back safely if needed.
Built-in security, compliance and real-time monitoring ensure seamless services like navigation and OTA updates, improving operational visibility and customer experience across mixed fleets.
Q.4 How will eSIM and evolving standards shape the future of automotive connectivity?
Florent Abat, Thales:
The evolution of automotive eSIM connectivity is poised to significantly enhance mobility. New features, such as Multiple Enabled Profiles (MEP), which are planned for SGP.32 automotive eSIM V2, will make it possible for vehicles to operate with several mobile operator profiles at the same time. This means that crucial automotive functions, like eSIM for vehicle telematics and eSIM in autonomous vehicles, will remain active even if one network fails, while services such as infotainment and passenger Wi-Fi can be managed independently. This kind of redundancy is especially important for autonomous vehicles, which require secure and uninterrupted connectivity at all times.
Julie Gibb, Cubic3:
Beyond SGP.32, eSIM innovation is advancing smarter, integrated safety systems using AI to analyse sensor data for better safety decisions and predictive maintenance. Centralised or zonal control architectures will enhance eSIM’s management of safety functions, supported by stronger hardware-based cybersecurity to guard against cyber threats.
Evolving industry standards such as the GSMA SGP.32 standard will ensure smooth operation across car models and cloud platforms, enabling safer, more connected vehicles in the future.
Discover more about how eSIM innovation and the latest eSIM SGP.32 standard are shaping the future of the connected car in our eBook
