Nokia has announced that Airtel Africa has selected
its iSIM Secure Connect technology, in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
delivery model, as part of the operator's wider digitalization efforts to offer
its customers 5G and IoT-based on-demand services.
Nokia's telecom SaaS, integrated SaaS SIM
(iSIM) Secure Connect technology provides communication service providers
(CSPs) and enterprises with the capability to securely manage machine-to-machine
and consumer device subscriptions for eSIM- and iSIM-enabled devices.
Integrated SIM (iSIM) and embedded SIM (eSIM)
will give Airtel the ability to remotely store and manage multiple
subscriptions for authenticating users and devices on its network.
Nokia has already supported Airtel in
deploying iSIM Secure Connect earlier this month in Nigeria. Airtel
now plans to roll out the solution in ten other African markets over the next
year.
Nokia and Airtel completed a successful pilot
project at the end of 2022.
Razvan Ungureanu, Chief Technology Officer, and Information Officer at
Airtel said: "We are very pleased to expand Airtel
and Nokia's long-standing partnership in this new area. Nokia iSIM technology
gives us new network capabilities, including in the areas of verification and
authentication services, while allowing us to offer new network service that
our customers are increasingly looking for."
Rajiv Aggarwal, Head of the Central, East, and West Africa (CEWA) Market
Unit at Nokia, said: "We envision a world that is more
productive with the digitalization capabilities we build for our operator
customers. Nokia iSIM capabilities enable faster service delivery and
time-to-value to our customers. With these capabilities, we are proud to help
Airtel in Africa expand its digitalization efforts and provide its customers
with new on-demand services, transforming their lives."