Why eSIM is now the default for serious IoT
Plastic SIMs were fine when you had ten devices in one postcode. At scale, and across borders, they are a liability. eSIM solves the operational pain. With eUICC, you provision the right profile to the device over the air, switch carriers without rolling a van, and keep projects alive through roaming changes and local regulations. It reduces truck rolls, simplifies supply chains, and gives you options when coverage or commercial terms shift.
Manufacturers have noticed. Devices like the Teltonika RUT241 eSIM router variant make remote provisioning standard out of the box, and we are seeing eSIM support appear across gateways, trackers, payment terminals, EV chargers, kiosks, CCTV, and industrial controllers. If you care about uptime, compliance, and total cost of ownership, eSIM is the way forward.
What to look for in an IoT eSIM provider
- True eUICC support with modern standards and a roadmap for SGP.32.
- Multi-IMSI or profile choice for resilience across the UK and internationally.
- APIs for provisioning, usage, SIM state, alerts, and automation.
- Security options like private APN, private IP, IPsec/OpenVPN, and traffic segregation.
- Commercial flexibility for pilots vs scale, pooled data, and fair overage.
- Diagnostics and tooling you can actually use: live session view, cell info, CDRs, and webhook alerts.
- Support that responds from people who understand routers, APNs, and field constraints.
The Top 10 IoT eSIM Providers in the UK
Order reflects UK market relevance for B2B IoT and eSIM maturity. Use this as a shortlist, then run a small pilot with two or three vendors in parallel.
1) Kigen
Kigen is a UK-born specialist focused on eSIM and eUICC enablement for IoT. They live and breathe remote provisioning, security, and standards. If your project needs deep eSIM expertise, lifecycle tooling, and a strong ecosystem rather than just a SIM and a bill, Kigen is a strong first call. Expect serious thinking on bootstrap profiles, profile swaps in the field, and security posture across the chain.
2) Wireless Logic
A major UK and European player with scale, private APN options, and broad carrier access. Their management platform is robust and suits enterprises that need pooled tariffs, account hierarchies, and policy controls. Good fit if you want one contract and global reach with UK-centric support.
3) Velos IoT (formerly JT IoT)
Known for resilient multi-network footprints and pragmatic commercial models. Velos has strong roaming coverage, sensible tooling, and experience with large industrial fleets. If your kit moves between regions or you want belt-and-braces resilience in the UK, put them on the shortlist.
4) Eseye
Integration-heavy approach with attention to device behaviour, connectivity analytics, and application outcomes. Eseye is good when your problem is not just SIMs but end-to-end reliability across varied hardware and radio conditions. They think beyond megabytes.
5) 1GLOBAL (formerly Truphone)
eSIM pioneers with mature remote provisioning and a global footprint. Useful for eSIM at scale where you want strong automation, developer-friendly APIs, and enterprise controls. If your business spans multiple countries, they make profile logistics manageable.
6) Vodafone Business IoT
If you want a major UK MNO with strong local coverage, enterprise support, and well-trodden security options, Vodafone is dependable. Their private networking and managed services can simplify sign-off for corporate IT and compliance teams.
7) O2 Business (Telefónica UK)
Competitive where devices cluster in O2-strong areas, with enterprise support and sensible IoT tariffs. A good choice when corporate policy prefers a direct MNO relationship, backed by familiar procurement frameworks.
8) Three Business IoT
Often attractive pricing and modern IoT propositions. Worth testing if your deployments overlap Three-strong regions or you need aggressive commercial terms for high-volume fleets, especially where throughput matters.
9) OV
A UK-based IoT connectivity provider with practical, engineering-friendly support. Good for smaller to mid-size fleets that still want proper tooling, private APN options, and the ability to talk to someone who understands Teltonika, Modbus, CCTV, and real-world deployments.
10) Ritesim
Boutique, flexible, and responsive to unusual requirements. If you need a provider who will move quickly on trials, help with odd devices, or provide attentive account management for SME and mid-market projects, add Ritesim to your bake-off.
Quick example: RUT241 eSIM setup approach
If you are trialling eSIM with a Teltonika RUT241 eSIM model, take this path:
- Order devices with eSIM capability and confirm bootstrap profile behaviour with the provider.
- Decide your APN and IP plan early. If you need inbound access, use VPN-only workflows rather than public IP where possible.
- Automate provisioning via the provider API and your deployment platform. Generate device records, assign profiles, and push configs in one flow.
- Lock in observability. Enable session logs, cell info capture, and data alerts from day one so you learn quickly where coverage or firmware tuning is needed.
- Pilot with two networks. Even if you love Provider A, run a shadow test with Provider B. Keep leverage and avoid surprises.
When to prefer eSIM over plastic SIM
- Hard-to-reach sites: rooftops, poles, cabinets, retail kiosks after hours. No field swap when coverage or commercial terms change.
- Regulated markets: easier to comply with local profile requirements or roaming restrictions.
- Global SKUs: ship one hardware SKU and assign the right profile post-install.
- High-uptime use cases: EV charging, payment, security, healthcare. Faster failover and more options under pressure.
Security notes that actually matter
- Private APN and private IP where possible. Keep devices off the public internet.
- VPN into the estate for management and data access. Avoid inbound public ports.
- IMEI locks and SIM policy so a stolen SIM cannot run in a phone.
- Rate limits and alerts for data spikes. Many “mystery” overages are misconfig or compromised endpoints.
- Firmware discipline. Keep routers up to date, disable unused services, and track config drift.
Commercial sanity checks before you sign
- Ask for clear per-SIM standing charges, pooled data rules, fair overage pricing, and contract exit terms.
- Confirm eUICC profile swap fees and expected timelines.
- Test support response during your pilot. Night-time faults are the real test.
- Get API documentation up front and run a quick proof of integration.
- Make sure their data centre regions and logging meet your compliance needs.
The bottom line
eSIM is now the practical default for professional IoT in the UK. Start with a small, instrumented pilot, include at least two providers, and choose the partner who proves coverage, stability, and operational clarity. The technology is mature. Your job is to pick the supplier who will still answer the phone in year three and keep the profiles flowing when your estate doubles.
Sources: Kigen; Wireless Logic; Velos IoT; Eseye; 1GLOBAL; Vodafone Business; O2 Business; Three Business; OV; Ritesim.