Counterpoint Research is attending Tech In Asia Conference on 18th October 2023
Our Senior Analyst, Febriman Abdillah will be attending the Tech In Asia Conference 2023 at Jakarta, Indonesia. You can schedule a meeting with him to discuss the latest trends in the technology, media and telecommunication sector and understand how our leading research and services can help your business.
When: 18th October 2023
Where: Jakarta, Indonesia
About the Tech In Asia Conference:
Tech in Asia is a Singapore-based English-language technology media company that focuses on Asia. From the latest news to the hottest trends and the boldest startups to the strongest titans, TIA covers everything tech in the region, with the goal is to build and serve Asia’s tech and startup community.
Tech in Asia Conference is TIA’s flagship event, providing high-impact learning and networking opportunities to Asia’s tech and startup community. Over the last eleven years, TIA Conference has been hosted in Singapore, Jakarta, Tokyo, and Bangalore.
Click here (or send us an email at contact@counterpointresearch.com) to schedule a meeting with them.
The growing IoT ecosystem has brought forth its own set of challenges. One such challenge is permanent roaming.
While many countries allow permanent roaming without significant constraints, some big countries have implemented limitations on this practice.
There are multiple ways to circumvent the problem of permanent roaming. These include eSIM, Multi-IMSI, aggregator platforms, and dynamic network selection algorithms.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. From smart homes to industrial automation, IoT devices are playing a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and convenience. However, the growing IoT ecosystem has brought forth its own set of challenges. One such challenge is permanent roaming, a phenomenon that has gained significance due to the global nature of IoT deployments. In this blog, we will delve into the concept of permanent roaming for IoT, discuss the challenges it poses, and explore potential solutions.
Understanding permanent roaming for IoT
Permanent roaming in the context of IoT refers to the practice of utilizing cellular connectivity across different geographical locations on a consistent basis. Unlike traditional mobile phones, which might roam temporarily when users travel, IoT devices often need to maintain connectivity across various regions for extended periods. This is a fundamental requirement for IoT devices used in logistics, remote monitoring, agriculture and other activities.
While many countries allow permanent roaming without significant constraints, some big countries have implemented limitations on this practice. The map below shows countries where permanent roaming is banned and those where local carriers have imposed restrictions.
Countries that prohibit permanent roaming include India, China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkiye (formerly Turkey), UAE and Singapore. Besides, mobile operators in the US, Canada and Australia have imposed restrictions on permanent roaming within their networks, effectively imposing a ban on this practice in these countries. Remarkably, these 12 countries collectively cover more than 50% of the world’s population and account for well over three-quarters of the IoT market.
Challenges posed by restrictions on permanent roaming
IoT devices are typically deployed on a global scale, leading to a complex scenario where these devices are connected to multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) across different countries. Imagine an electric car company that markets its vehicles across various regions. In countries where permanent roaming is not allowed, the company must procure local connectivity. This situation presents a host of challenges that ripple through the operational landscape:
Complex network management: Handling connections to multiple networks becomes really complex. Each network might have different prices, coverage areas and technical needs. The process of harmonizing such distinct facets is likely to be intricate and time-consuming.
Dealing with many partners: The company needs to work with different network partners. This means making deals, managing money and ensuring good service quality across networks. Besides, multiple networks means multiple bills and contracts. All of these tasks together can become very complicated and hard to manage as this activity is not core to the business.
Higher costs: Because of the rules against permanent roaming, the company has to pay more money to set up connections in each country. This extra cost can make things difficult and might affect how much the company can grow.
Less flexibility: Without the ability to use permanent roaming, the devices might not work as well when they move between countries. This can be a problem for customers who expect a consistent experience.
More planning needed: Since the company can’t rely on the same connection everywhere, it needs to plan ahead. This can slow things down and make expansion harder. There could be issues related to data sovereignty and compliance that may require additional planning.
Solutions for permanent roaming
There are multiple ways to circumvent the problems associated with permanent roaming. However, it is critical to select a managed service provider that has tie-ups with local MNOs/MVNOs. Alternatively, direct MNO relationships can be managed using aggregator connectivity management platforms.
eSIM (embedded SIM):eSIM technology is a game changer in the IoT landscape. It enables devices to have programmable SIM cards that can be remotely provisioned over the air. With eSIM, IoT devices can switch between different MNOs without requiring a physical SIM card replacement, thus simplifying the management of connectivity. Using eSIM, it is possible to switch between a local profile and multiple roaming profiles every 90 days to avoid permanent roaming. Many managed service providers have this workaround to avoid permanent roaming. The new IoT eSIM specifications will further simplify the provisioning and orchestration of connectivity.
Multi-IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity): Multi-IMSI solutions allow a single physical SIM card to have multiple IMSIs from different MNOs. This enables the device to seamlessly switch between networks while maintaining a single SIM card. By intelligently selecting the optimal IMSI based on factors like network quality and cost, Multi-IMSI solutions optimize connectivity and reduce operational complexities. However, the managed service provider needs to have a local presence or tie-ups.
Aggregator platforms: Aggregator connectivity management platforms (CMPs) act as intermediaries between IoT device owners and various MNOs. These platforms offer a unified interface for managing connectivity, provisioning, billing, and reporting across multiple networks. By consolidating these tasks, aggregator platforms simplify the management of permanent roaming for IoT devices. A new set of aggregator CMPs like IOTM and ConnectedYou is targeting enterprises instead of carriers to solve the problem of managing multiple networks.
Some of the aggregator platforms offer Dynamic Network Selection Algorithms. Smart algorithms can be implemented in IoT devices to dynamically select the most suitable network based on parameters such as signal strength, latency and cost.
Conclusion
With the IoT landscape continuing to expand globally, the challenges associated with permanent roaming are becoming more pronounced. However, with the advent of innovative solutions such as eSIM, Multi-IMSI, aggregator platforms, and dynamic network selection algorithms, these challenges can be effectively mitigated. These solutions not only simplify the management of connectivity but also enhance cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency for IoT deployments. The key is to find the right managed services partner, which has a platform that enables easy management of connectivity.
Thailand led the region’s passenger EV sales in 2022 with a 58% share.
Nearly two in three EVs sold in 2022 were BEVs.
Wuling’s newest model Air EV was the region’s bestseller.
New Delhi,London, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul – March 31, 2023
Passenger electric vehicle (EV*) sales** in Southeast Asia (SEA#) accounted for just under 2% of the region’s total passenger vehicle sales in 2022, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’sGlobal Passenger Electric Vehicle Model Sales Tracker. Thailand was the most advanced, accounting for 58% of the region’s EV sales, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam. Thailand’s government has been pushing EV sales through demand-side incentives and corporate income tax incentives for EV manufacturers.
Wuling’s Air EV was the best-selling model across the region in 2022, being one of the most affordable EV options. In terms of automotive groups, Vingroup led the SEA EV sales, closely followed by Wuling (part of SAIC-GM-Wuling group) and Volvo (Geely Holdings subsidiary). Battery EVs (BEVs) represented 64.6% of the total EV sales while plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) constituted the rest.
Commenting on the market dynamics, Research Analyst Abhilash Gupta said, “Passenger EV demand is increasing gradually across the SEA region but sales are tiny compared to global EV sales, constituting just 0.5% of the global total for 2022. However, as geopolitical tensions are rising between China and the West, SEA is becoming an attractive option for Chinese auto manufacturers looking to expand abroad. Therefore, we can expect to see more production plants in SEA in the longer term, which will help boost EV sales. Thailand has the largest auto manufacturing sector in SEA. It is aiming to leverage its manufacturing expertise to attract automakers to produce and sell EVs there. Indonesia and Vietnam have the advantage of mineral resources, which gives them an edge over others in the region. The SEA countries have set lofty EV targets and have introduced many incentives to promote EV adoption among consumers and to attract EV manufacturers to set up bases.”
Source: Counterpoint’s Global Passenger Electric Vehicle Model Sales Tracker, Q4 2022
Commenting on the market outlook, Senior Analyst Soumen Mandal said, “Although EVs are currently a niche market in SEA, we do expect their sales to double in 2023. However, it will be difficult for the SEA countries to achieve their EV targets and increase the share of renewables in the electricity grid at the same time.
SEA countries have the opportunity to display their manufacturing capabilities and grow, given the interest of many international auto manufacturers to invest in the region. Those that enter the market early will have an edge, allowing them to secure a substantial share of the market. The SEA region could adopt the approaches taken by China and Europe, which provide incentives based on CO2 emission levels. Doing so would encourage both consumers and manufacturers to shift towards more environment-friendly vehicles.”
*For EVs, we consider only BEVs and PHEVs. This study does not include hybrid EVs and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
**Sales refer to wholesale figures, i.e., deliveries from factories by the respective brands/companies.
#SEA includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Feel free to reach us at press@counterpointresearch.com for questions regarding our latest research and insights.
Background
Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media, and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects, and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.
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