How eSIM technology can improve flexibility and connectivity for business.
The Advantages of eSIMs
For years, traditional plastic SIM cards have quietly powered the mobile world. But as digital transformation accelerates and businesses demand faster, more flexible connectivity, a new standard has taken the spotlight – eSIM technology.
Recent industry research underscores just how rapidly eSIM adoption is accelerating. A new Juniper Research study predicts that eSIM-enabled cellular connections will surge from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion by 2030. This momentum is being fuelled in large part by Tier 1 operators in China fully embracing eSIM technology – instantly expanding the global addressable market by more than 1.7 billion mobile subscriptions and opening up significant opportunities for businesses and service providers worldwide.
eSIMs (embedded SIMs) are rapidly reshaping how organisations deploy, manage and scale mobile connectivity. And while the concept has been around for a while, adoption is now accelerating thanks to device support, operational benefits and the shift toward remote and hybrid working.
Here’s what businesses need to know about the advantages of eSIMs and how to cut through the hype.
Why eSIMs Matter for Modern Businesses
Faster Deployment. No Plastic. No Postage. No Waiting.
Gone are the days of waiting for SIM cards to arrive in the post – or worse, discovering half your team has lost them.
With eSIMs, mobile profiles can be activated remotely. Whether your team is in the office, at home or spread across multiple countries, you can roll out connectivity in minutes.
This is a huge advantage for:
- Fast-growing companies onboarding new staff regularly
- Remote or international teams
- IT teams managing mobile fleets at scale
eSIMs allow multiple profiles to sit on a single device, making it easier to:
- Switch between business and personal profiles
- Move between networks
- Add local plans while travelling
- Manage connectivity through a centralised portal
For businesses, this flexibility translates into reduced downtime, better network choice and more agile mobility policies.
eSIMs have Stronger Security by Design
Because eSIMs are soldered into the device, they can’t be removed if the phone is lost or stolen. IT teams can lock, wipe, or deactivate connectivity instantly without relying on recovering a physical SIM.
This reduces risk, particularly for organisations handling sensitive data or managing large mobile estates.
eSIMS have Better Connectivity for a Distributed Workforce
As hybrid work becomes the norm, connectivity is no longer tied to an office building. eSIMs help keep teams connected anywhere, offering:
- Faster provisioning
- On-device profile switching
- Access to the strongest available network
- Support for dual-profile setups
The result? More resilient connectivity and fewer support headaches.
Disadvantages of using an eSIM for Business
eSIMs are powerful – but they aren’t perfect, especially for businesses.
The Big Frustration: Wearables
One of the biggest sticking points for us right now at DRC and many of our customers is that eSIM support for wearables, like the Apple Watch still isn’t available in the business channel.
Consumer eSIM support exists. Business eSIM support for wearables does not.
And yes… it’s as frustrating as it sounds!
If your organisation uses Apple Watch for field teams, lone-worker safety, or health & wellbeing initiatives, this limitation needs to be considered in your device strategy. We’re keeping a very close eye on this area, although currently there are no plans to change. If and when the industry shifts, we’ll be ready to help businesses take full advantage.
Looking Ahead: Where eSIM Is Going
The direction of travel is clear. Over the next 12–24 months, we expect:
- Increased business-device support
- More dual-SIM and multi-SIM setups
- Better international roaming options
- Wider IoT adoption
eSIM isn’t just a new way of activating mobile, it’s a core component of future network strategy.
How DRC Can Support Businesses Moving to eSIM
Final Thoughts
eSIM technology is fast becoming the new standard for business connectivity. It offers the agility, scalability and control that modern organisations need and while a few limitations remain (wearables being the headline one), the benefits are already significant.
The businesses that get ahead of eSIM adoption now will be the ones best prepared for the next wave of digital mobility.
