3
3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) develops the technical specifications used by cellular systems, including LTE, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT.
Learn more about 3GPP →5
5G
Fifth-generation mobile technology is standardized by 3GPP, including the New Radio (NR) air interface and 5G Core. Deployments may use standalone or non-standalone architectures; throughput, latency and IoT feature support depend on the device and network.
Learn more about 5G →5G RedCap
5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) is a 3GPP device class that reduces modem complexity relative to full 5G while retaining capabilities suited to mid-tier IoT.
Learn more about 5G RedCap →A
APN
An Access Point Name (APN) identifies the packet-data network and routing policy a cellular subscription uses. Public and private APNs differ mainly in how traffic is addressed, isolated and delivered.
Learn more about APN →C
Cat-1
LTE Category 1 (Cat-1) is a 3GPP LTE device category with peak downlink and uplink rates of 10 Mbps and 5 Mbps respectively. It supports mobility on LTE networks; actual throughput and service access depend on the device, network and subscription.
Learn more about Cat-1 →Cat-1 bis
LTE Category 1 bis is a single-receive-antenna version of LTE Cat-1. It supports moderate throughput and mobility on standard LTE networks.
Learn more about Cat-1 bis →Cellular IoT
Cellular Internet of Things (IoT) connects machines and sensors over licensed mobile networks using a SIM-based subscriber identity.
Learn more about Cellular IoT →CMP
A connectivity management platform (CMP) is software for administering SIM estates, including activation, suspension, usage monitoring, alerts and diagnostics.
Learn more about CMP →D
Data pooling
Data pooling combines the allowances or rated usage of multiple subscriptions within an agreed pool. It can reduce the effect of uneven device usage, but pool rules and overage treatment vary.
Learn more about Data pooling →E
eDRX
Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) lets a cellular device check for downlink traffic less often, reducing power use in exchange for increased reachability delay.
Learn more about eDRX →eIM
An eSIM IoT remote manager (eIM) is the GSMA SGP.32 component that manages remote profile operations for IoT devices through an IoT profile assistant.
Learn more about eIM →eSIM
eSIM is the GSMA solution for securely downloading and managing operator profiles on an eUICC. It is not a physical form factor: a soldered SIM alone does not imply eSIM capability. Available profile operations depend on the supported provisioning architecture, device, platform and operator arrangements.
Learn more about eSIM →eUICC
An embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) is secure hardware and software capable of storing and managing multiple operator profiles under a remote SIM provisioning architecture.
Learn more about eUICC →F
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in the United States.
Firmware over the air
Firmware over the air (FOTA) is the remote delivery of device software updates. Teams should include update payloads, failed downloads and retries in data forecasts.
G
GSMA
The GSMA is a mobile-industry association that publishes eSIM architectures, implementation guidance and other industry specifications.
I
ICCID
The Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) is the identifier assigned to a SIM card or profile. It identifies the SIM resource, not the device hardware.
IMEI
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) identifies cellular device equipment. It differs from an IMSI, which identifies a subscriber.
IMSI
The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) identifies a mobile subscription for network authentication and routing. It is normally stored within a SIM profile.
IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices that sense, exchange or act on data with limited or no direct human interaction.
Learn more about IoT →IoT profile assistant
The IoT profile assistant (IPA) is an SGP.32 function that mediates profile operations between an IoT device and remote provisioning infrastructure.
Learn more about IoT profile assistant →IoT SIM
An IoT SIM provides subscriber credentials for a connected device using a cellular service intended for machine communications. It is not a distinct SIM form factor or radio standard; roaming, management features and lifecycle terms depend on the provider and plan.
Learn more about IoT SIM →IPA
IPA means IoT profile assistant in the GSMA SGP.32 architecture. It may reside in the device or eUICC and supports profile download and management.
Learn more about IPA →iSIM
An integrated SIM (iSIM) places the secure subscriber-identity function within a device chipset or system-on-chip rather than on a separate removable or soldered component.
Learn more about iSIM →L
Latency
Latency is the time taken for data to travel through a system and for a response to return. Radio conditions, sleep settings, routing and application design all affect it.
LPWA
Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) describes technologies designed to connect low-data devices over long distances with low energy consumption. Cellular LPWA technologies include LTE-M and NB-IoT.
Learn more about LPWA →LTE-M
Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M), also called LTE Cat-M, is a cellular LPWA technology supporting mobility, power-saving features and moderate data rates.
Learn more about LTE-M →M
M2M
Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is automated data exchange between devices. The term predates IoT and remains common in cellular connectivity and legacy eSIM specifications.
MFF2
Machine Form Factor 2 (MFF2) is a soldered SIM package designed for embedded equipment. The package can contain a fixed SIM or eUICC, so form factor alone does not imply remote provisioning.
Learn more about MFF2 →MNO
A mobile network operator (MNO) holds spectrum rights and operates mobile radio and core network infrastructure.
Multi-IMSI
A multi-IMSI SIM can hold or select among multiple International Mobile Subscriber Identities. The implementation and network-selection policy depend on the service design.
Learn more about Multi-IMSI →Multi-network connectivity
Multi-network connectivity lets a device use more than one eligible operator network, subject to commercial agreements, radio compatibility and local rules.
Learn more about Multi-network connectivity →MVNA
A mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA) aggregates wholesale mobile arrangements or demand for multiple mobile virtual network operators.
MVNE
A mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE) supplies technical systems such as provisioning, billing or core-network functions to mobile virtual network operators.
MVNO
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) provides mobile service using wholesale access to one or more host operator networks rather than owning the radio access network.
N
NB-IoT
Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a cellular LPWA technology for low-throughput devices, especially static sensors and meters.
Learn more about NB-IoT →Network sunset
A network sunset is an operator's retirement of a radio technology, such as 2G or 3G. Affected devices require compatible replacement connectivity before shutdown.
Learn more about Network sunset →NTN
A non-terrestrial network (NTN) uses airborne or spaceborne platforms, including satellites, as part of the radio access network. 3GPP specifications define NTN support for selected cellular services.
P
Permanent roaming
Permanent roaming describes a subscription remaining on a visited network for an extended period rather than temporarily roaming. Its treatment varies by country, operator agreement and service model.
Learn more about Permanent roaming →Private APN
A private Access Point Name (APN) applies controlled addressing and routing for a defined subscription group, often delivering traffic to a private network rather than directly to the public internet.
Learn more about Private APN →Profile
An eSIM profile is the operator subscription data and applications loaded onto an eUICC. Enabling a profile makes its credentials available for network attachment.
PSM
Power Saving Mode (PSM) lets a registered cellular device become unavailable to the network for negotiated periods while retaining registration state, reducing energy use.
Learn more about PSM →Q
QoS
Quality of Service (QoS) refers to traffic handling characteristics such as priority, delay and throughput. Available controls depend on the network and commercial service.
R
RedCap
Reduced Capability (RedCap) is a 5G device category standardized by 3GPP for use cases needing less complexity and bandwidth than full-featured 5G devices.
Learn more about RedCap →Roaming
Roaming allows a subscription from a home network to obtain service on a visited operator network under an agreement between providers.
Learn more about Roaming →RSP
Remote SIM provisioning (RSP) is the secure remote download and lifecycle management of operator profiles on an eUICC.
Learn more about RSP →S
SGP.02
SGP.02 is a GSMA technical specification for the machine-to-machine eSIM architecture using components including the Subscription Manager Data Preparation and Subscription Manager Secure Routing systems.
SGP.22
SGP.22 is a GSMA technical specification for the consumer eSIM architecture, commonly used by phones and other devices with a user interface.
SGP.32
SGP.32 is the GSMA technical specification for remote SIM provisioning of constrained or unattended IoT devices. It defines the eIM and IPA roles.
Learn more about SGP.32 →SIM
A subscriber identity module (SIM) securely stores credentials used to authenticate a subscription to a mobile network. SIM describes a function as well as familiar removable card formats.
Learn more about SIM →SM-DP+
The Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus (SM-DP+) securely prepares, stores and delivers profiles in consumer and IoT eSIM architectures.
SM-SR
The Subscription Manager Secure Routing (SM-SR) securely manages eUICC state and profile operations in the GSMA machine-to-machine architecture defined by SGP.02.
Steering
Network steering is the use of SIM, core-network or device policies to influence which available visited network a roaming device selects.
Learn more about Steering →U
UICC
A Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is the secure platform that can host a SIM application and other applications. An eUICC adds standardized remote profile management.
V
VoLTE
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) carries voice calls through the LTE packet network using the IP Multimedia Subsystem. Device, subscription and operator support must align.
VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between network endpoints. In IoT it can protect traffic delivered from an APN into an enterprise environment.
Learn more about VPN →