It’s been a big year for mobile connectivity, with advancements across eSIMs, 5G, IoT, and post-quantum technologies – to name a just a few. While each of these trends and innovations play their part in shaping the future of connectivity, the telecoms industry is full of acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon that can be challenging to navigate. In this article we break down what these are, and what you need to know…
eSIM: While a traditional PVC SIM card would be physically inserted into your mobile device, an eSIM is pre-installed hardware that is embedded directly into your device. They are remotely programmed, and easily reprogrammable so you can easily switch between service plans, or even add additional carriers.
iSIM: Integrated SIMs or ‘iSIMs’, however, are digital alternatives as they eliminate the need for a physical SIM entirely. Rather than a SIM sitting on the circuit board, it is built into the device’s processor, taking up just a fraction of the size of eSIMs or traditional SIMs. Beyond space saving benefits, they also require significantly less power to run.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC): Cryptography secures much of the technology we rely upon in the telecoms industry. But with the advent of quantum computing technologies threatening to crack the traditional cryptography we rely upon, PQC algorithms are designed to withstand such attacks. They are therefore considered to be ‘quantum safe’.
OEMs: OEMs or ‘original equipment manufacturers’ refers to tech vendors that manufacturer a device or component that is then used by another company within a product, and later sold to the end user. These third parties are essentially suppliers to the distributor of the final product.
SKU: A ‘stock-keeping unit’ is the unique identification number assigned by retailers and manufacturers to items within their inventories, allowing them to track their stock levels and movements. These numbers can be incredibly granular, covering attributes like size, colour, brand, batch, and product type, for example.
MNOs: A ‘mobile network operator’ is a telecoms provider that has mobile connectivity infrastructure to supply cellular network services – i.e. voice and data services – to customers. They will work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to then sell these products to the market.
SON: ‘Self-optimising network’ refers to self-service capabilities of radio networks to plan, configure, heal, manage, and optimise wireless networks, with it automatically adapting to varying conditions. These functionalities are made possible through AI and predictive analytics.
Massive IoT: With IoT referring to smart devices connected to the cloud, massive IoT refers to a larger scale network on such connected devices, all feeding into one central cloud. For example, this could be a series of agricultural sensors gathering information in fields, rives, and woodlands. Cellular communications is a key enabler of Massive IoT, as they provide the cellular connectivity required to deliver the required reach.
GSMA: The ‘Global System for Mobile Communications Association’, or GSMA, is a global organisation that represents the interests of the mobile connectivity ecosystem. It unifies mobile operators and a range of related organisations, fostering innovation, encouraging cooperation, upholding standards, and supporting interoperability.
IMSI or SUPI: ‘International Mobile Subscriber Identity’, or IMSI is the unique number that is used to identify every user of a cellular 2G, 3G or 4G network, whereas it is called a SUPI (Subscriber Permanent Identifier) in 5G networks. An IMSI/SUPI is typically stored on the SIM card and used to manage mobile subscriptions within a network.
M2M: Machine to Machine, commonly abbreviated as M2M, refers to the seamless exchange of information and communication between devices, operating autonomously without the need for human input. This innovation plays a pivotal role in enhancing mobile connectivity, allowing various devices, from sensors to vehicles, to interact over cellular networks. Such interactions are instrumental in driving progress in domains including the Internet of Things, smart energy systems, and the automation of industrial processes.
