Connect and manage devices on the 5G network

Last updated 11 November 2023

5G connectivity solutions

Thales is on a three-pronged mission to help MNOs connect, protect, and predict in a world of 5G connectivity.

Let's dive into the first – connect – to see how carriers can manage billions of connected devices.

 Enhanced Connectivity and Data-intensive Services

Mobile connectivity is one of the great success stories of the last 20 years.

• In 2023, more than 5,4 billion people can access the mobile internet.
• The average smartphone user will consume 20GB of mobile data monthly at the end of 2023.

It's still not enough. 

People want more data. They want super-fast video streaming, low-latency gaming, and new virtual reality services.

Enterprises, meanwhile, are impatient to explore the potential of data-hungry use cases such as connected cars and telemedicine.  

They also want to dive deeper into machine learning and create networks that comprise millions of smart connected sensors – a.k .a. the Industrial Internet of Things. 

The good news? 5G connectivity

All of this is possible in the coming era of 5G connectivity. 

5G is not just an upgrade on 3G and 4G. It is built on a new kind of software-defined network.

Because of this, 5G connectivity can deliver not incremental but exponential improvements in speed, capacity, and (device) longevity. 

• Up to 10 gigabits per second - up to x100 faster than 4G 
• One millisecond latency 
• Up to 100x connected devices per unit area (compared with 4G LTE). That's 1 million devices per square kilometer. 
• 100% coverage 
• Low power consumption – allowing connected objects with up to 10 years of battery life to operate for months without human assistance. 

Opportunity #1. Connect the unconnected

5G is a huge connectivity opportunity for the world's mobile network operators.  

First, they can use it to connect the unconnected.

There are hundreds of millions of subscribers that MNOs still cannot serve well.

Opportunity #2. Connect billions of 'things'

At the same time, MNOs can focus on connecting billions of 'thin.''.

Today, IoT users must make constant trade-offs (between speed, ran, get, and power consumption) in their choice of wireless technology.

With 5G connectivity, they will be able to have it all. 

Needless to say, the promise of 5G connectivity comes with questions for MNOs, OEMs and end-users, namely:

• How can I keep track of millions of connections? 
• How can I remotely change the profiles of my devices? 
• How can I know and trust the identity of my connected products? 

These are questions Thales works hard to address. We offer a range of products and services covering all connectivity facets. 

They range from physical SIMs to management tools (that make it easy to organize a vast number of connections remotely). 

Let's dive in. 

Embedded SIM (eSIM) 

The traditional plastic SIM works well when a human customer inserts it. It is not suitable for an era of connected machines and sensors. 

So, in its place, the industry created the embedded SIM card. The eSIM is soldered into the device's board. It's also rewritable. This is critical.

It means that the credentials needed to sign on to the MNO network can be downloaded over the air – and therefore changed – at any time. 

Thales has the most significant number of SIM and eSIM customers and partners worldwide. The company has already delivered over 200 eSIM management platforms to MNOs and OEMs.  
 

Integrated SIM (iSIM)  

Can the industry improve on the eSIM?

Yes, it can.

Mobile stakeholders are now developing the integrated SIM. iSIM builds the connectivity directly into the chipset, which reduces the cost of distribution and power consumption.

Thales is currently developing iSIM technology for Qualcomm chipsets. 
 

Managing SIMs and device ecosystems 

As we have seen, the SIM makes it possible to connect and provision millions of remote devices over the air.

This challenge raises an important question: how can MNOs keep track of the vast range of platforms and OEMs active on their networks?  

To answer this, Thales developed its Thales Device Management solution. It comprises a library containing more than 222,200 device references from over 7,700 manufacturers. It is expanded with thousands of new models each year.  

This solution can detect a new handset on the network and remotely configure it with the correct operator settings. 
 

SIM and eSIM fleet management 

MNOs must make it easy for their new customer types (from carmakers to city planners to farmers) to provision and deactivate millions of remote devices. 

Thales' Advanced OTA SIM management solution uses a software-as-a-service model to manage the SIMs. It is built on open standards and is fully interoperable.       

In the case of next-generation embedded SIMs, our eSIM Management platform, the most popular globally, ensures secure management over the lifecycle of cellular subscriptions. 
 

Building non-terrestrial 5G networks 

We have already referenced the ability of 5G to reach 100 percent of the earth's landmass. However, there are limits to what can be achieved with terrestrial infrastructure.

For this reason, MNOs are now investing in non-terrestrial networks (NTN).  

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology is a 5G mobile communication game-changer, ensuring reliable and robust global coverage.

This satellite integration is crucial for providing consistent service in remote areas like oceans and deserts. It is ideal for tracking maritime activities and resilient communication for low-bandwidth and delay-tolerant services.

MNOs partner with satellite operators to address difficult-to-serve markets without deploying traditional ground-based radio equipment.  

Thales Alenia Space satellite division is leading this activity – designing 3GPP-defined satellites for operation in non-geostationary orbit. 

5G: Thales' blueprint for a high-speed, connected tomorrow

Since its introduction four years ago, 5G has rapidly gained over 1.1 billion users, transforming connectivity as we know it. By 2028, we expect to see 4.6 billion 5G connections, covering more than half of all mobile users worldwide. 

Thales is at the vanguard of this transformation, providing mobile network operators with the essential tools to leverage the capabilities of 5G fully.

The growth of 5G is evident globally, with its unprecedented speeds surpassing those of 4G and its expansive reach. 

Envision a future orchestrated by Thales, where ultra-fast 5G connectivity reshapes leisure and the fabric of our lives and work. 

From bustling metros to serene countryside, Thales is not merely enhancing device connectivity; we're weaving the fabric of a tightly connected global community. 

As we march towards a future with 22 billion IoT devices by 2025, driven by the synergy of IoT, AI, and 5G, the question is: Are you ready to step into this boundless, connected tomorrow with Thales? 

Join the movement toward a fully connected future that is already taking shape today.