Breaking the Lock-In Myth: The Reality of eSIM IoT

Why was eSIM IoT supposed to solve vendor lock in, and why are new forms of lock-in still appearing across the industry?

eSIM IoT promised greater flexibility, more choice, and the ability to change connectivity providers without replacing physical SIMs. But as adoption grows, the reality is proving more complicated.

In this episode of The IoT Podcast, Jake Gilbert sits down with Henrik Aagaard, Co-Founder & CTO at Onomondo, to unpack the reality of eSIM IoT - exploring what the technology genuinely solves, where the industry is falling short, and what buyers need to consider when choosing an eSIM IoT solution.

The conversation explores how traditional SIM-based connectivity created long-term lock-in for IoT deployments, while closed ecosystems, limited interoperability and non-configurable architectures can introduce new forms of technical and commercial lock-in.

Jake and Henrik also discuss:

• Why eSIM IoT was designed to remove traditional connectivity lock-in
• What SGP.32 and the EIM mean for interoperability and control
• How closed ecosystems can limit connectivity choices after deployment
• The questions buyers should ask before committing to a provider
• Why flexibility needs to be considered across the lifetime of an IoT deployment

The episode also looks ahead at where eSIM IoT is heading, including the development of more open and interoperable connectivity models and what this could mean for wider IoT adoption.

This episode offers a practical look at the realities of eSIM IoT, and why buyers shouldn't simply assume flexibility, but verify it.

Chapters…

• 00:00 Introduction to eSIM IoT
• 03:29 Why eSIM IoT Matters
• 06:43 Traditional Connectivity and Lock-In
• 09:07 What eSIM IoT Gets Right
• 12:42 SGP.32 and the EIM
• 17:34 How Lock-In Still Exists
• 22:40 The Impact of Lock-In
• 27:21 What Buyers Should Look For
• 32:08 The Impact on IoT Adoption
• 36:19 Competition, Innovation and Cost
• 39:39 The Future of Open Connectivity
• 44:00 The Road Ahead for eSIM IoT
• 47:33 Onomondo’s Approach
• 49:17 Key Takeaways
• 53:50 Final Thoughts

The episode is live on all major listening platforms now! Listen here: https://linktr.ee/theiotpodcast

Connect with our guest… https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrikaagaard/

About Onomondo

Onomondo is a pioneer in next-generation IoT connectivity, with a fully integrated core network designed to simplify IoT management and development. Our platform helps businesses harness cellular connectivity to deploy IoT applications globally. By bridging cellular networks and the Internet of Things, Onomondo provides a modern, reliable and user-centric connectivity solution for businesses looking to scale with ease and agency.

Find out more: https://onomondo.com/

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