eSIM adoption accelerated across consumer and IoT markets in the first half of 2026, with the number of platforms supporting the latest GSMA specification for connected devices increasing fivefold, according to data from the Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA).
The industry association, whose members it estimates account for about 85% of the global eSIM hardware market, said consumer eSIM profile downloads in the first six months of the year had reached almost the same level as during the whole of 2025.
China was a major contributor, following regulatory approval for leading operators to offer eSIM services in October 2025 and the subsequent expansion of eSIM-enabled devices and travel connectivity services. Growth also continued in North America and Europe, as well as emerging markets including the Middle East and Africa and South America.
For the IoT sector, the expansion of infrastructure supporting GSMA’s SGP.32 specification is a notable development.
The specification is designed to simplify the remote provisioning and management of eSIM-enabled IoT devices, allowing connectivity profiles to be managed remotely across equipment deployed in the field.
TCA member data showed that the number of eSIM Subscription Manager platforms supporting SGP.32 profile downloads increased fivefold globally in the first half of 2026 compared with the full-year 2025 figure.
The expansion points to increased investment in the infrastructure needed to support remotely managed cellular connectivity across IoT deployments, from industrial equipment and vehicles to logistics and other connected assets.
It also comes as operators, connectivity providers and IoT companies seek to reduce the operational burden of managing physical SIM cards across large and geographically distributed device fleets.
Despite the shift towards programmable connectivity, the conventional SIM market has remained resilient. TCA members reported a 6% year-on-year increase in SIM volumes delivered during the first half of 2026.
“eSIM adoption is accelerating across consumer and IoT use-cases, underpinned by the enduring strength and proven security of traditional SIM technology,” said Guido Abate, chair of the TCA board.
The figures indicate that eSIM growth is not yet translating into a straightforward replacement of traditional SIMs, with both technologies continuing to serve different parts of the connectivity market.
TCA warned that weaker near-term smartphone shipments could constrain consumer eSIM demand in the coming year, although the continued expansion of IoT applications provides a separate source of growth.
The organisation publishes quarterly market monitoring data based on submissions from its members covering SIM and eSIM shipments, platforms and transactions.
