Highly-acquisitive IoT connectivity provider Wireless Logic has snapped up US-headquartered virtual network operator (MVNO) Webbing for an undisclosed fee. The deal, its 10th in just a couple of years, extends the UK firm’s presence in the Asian and North American markets, and also gives it new eSIM provisioning capabilities.
Wireless Logic announced a deal in March to buy Singapore-based Blue Wireless, to also strengthen its presence in Asia Pacific and the United States, and expand its portfolio to include fixed wireless access (FWA) services. Last year, it acquired industrial IoT platform enabler IoThink Solutions, IoT MVNO Mobius Networks, and IoT data SIM provider Jola. Its purchase of IoT MVNO Arkessa in late 2020 is among its highest-profile deals.
The firm said Webbing – serving enterprises in the automotive and logistics, in particular – has “pioneered” the shift towards the GSMA’s new SGP.32 standard for eSIM provisioning, released in May, but still pending large-scale device and SIM certifications. SGP.32 converges the old consumer and machine (M2M) approaches to SIM provisioning which required an initial ‘bootstrap’ to a home network to identify the correct profile to download.
The SGP.32 standard does away with this, effectively. Wireless Logic explains in a blog post: “[SGP.32] uses a bootstrap profile but it puts more of the intelligence around profile selection into the SIM. [It] provides for an IoT profile assistant (IPA) in the SIM, or on the device, which contacts a remote connectivity manager to kick off the chain… to download the relevant profile… [and simplify] how profile switching is achieved.”
It also means MVNOs are, in theory, required to maintain less extensive interconnections with mobile network operators (MNOs) in order to offer remote SIM provisioning, and can therefore reduce costs and complexity. Webbing’s SGP.32 solution (WebbingCTRL) uses the subscription manager data preparation address (SM-DP+) provisioning code to connect IoT devices to its server to activate and manage eSIMs, and swap eSIM profiles.
Wireless Logic stated: “Its fallback module is fully automatic with no MNO actions required ensuring continuous connectivity – a common challenge facing IoT deployments. It also provides centralised management of eSIMs and profiles, simplifying IoT connectivity, reducing costs, and improving time to market. This allows enterprises to leverage connected devices while maintaining full control of their connectivity deployments.”
Oliver Tucker, chief executive at Wireless Logic, said: “Webbing exhibited remarkable foresight by recognising the constraints of existing eSIM standards for IoT devices and anticipating demand for efficient eSIM provisioning. This acquisition will expand our technology capabilities and offering, particularly as the new GSMA IoT eSIM standard gains prominence. [Its] local presence and partnerships in regions including the US and Asia will further enhance our ability to deliver future-proofed, flexible, and fully-redundant global connectivity through a single SIM.”
Noam Lando, chief executive at Webbing, said “We are excited for the path ahead. Since our foundation, we have been committed to meeting the needs of global IoT by developing progressive SIM technology, powerful management platforms, and a robust network… Device owners deserve tailor-made, rock-solid, future-ready connectivity…. We are excited to build on this vision [with Wireless Logic].”
Wireless Logic claims more than 10 million IoT subscriptions in 165 countries, and direct partnerships with 50 mobile network operators.
