Thales and Cubic Partner to Revolutionize eSIM Solutions for Connected Vehicles
Thales, a global leader in advanced digital security technologies, and Cubic, a pioneering provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at transforming connectivity management for connected vehicles. This collaboration will leverage Thales’s cutting-edge eSIM management platform to enhance Cubic’s existing eSIM capabilities, ensuring compliance with the latest GSMA standards and enabling seamless global connectivity across multiple industries, including automotive, transportation, and agriculture.
The Significance of GSMA SGP.32 in IoT Connectivity
The adoption of the GSMA SGP.32 standard for the Internet of Things (IoT) marks a significant shift in eSIM management. This standard introduces a host of technical and business requirements essential for IoT, including enhanced security, greater interoperability across devices and network operators, and improved scalability for high-volume deployments. These advancements are vital for the large-scale deployment of eSIM technology across diverse sectors, addressing the critical need for intelligent and seamless connectivity management.
By incorporating this standard into their collaboration, Thales and Cubic are positioning themselves at the forefront of the eSIM revolution. The GSMA SGP.32 framework allows organizations to overcome longstanding challenges such as complex connectivity configurations, vendor lock-in, and the inefficiencies of traditional SIM card provisioning. As businesses and industries increasingly rely on IoT to streamline operations, the ability to manage eSIMs remotely and securely becomes a fundamental requirement.
A Seamless and Scalable eSIM Management Solution
This strategic partnership integrates Thales’s eSIM management platform—fully compliant with the GSMA SGP.32 standard—into Cubic’s existing multi-network and global connectivity management ecosystem. This collaboration provides multiple benefits, including:
- Scalability: The solution enables the mass deployment of eSIMs across Cubic’s extensive network, covering over 200 countries.
- Automated Subscription Management: The integration allows for remote activation and updates of connectivity profiles without requiring physical intervention, reducing operational costs and eliminating the need for manual SIM swaps or device recalls.
- Interoperability: With GSMA-compliant technology, Cubic’s customers can seamlessly connect across various network providers, avoiding vendor lock-in and increasing connectivity flexibility.
- Enhanced Security: Thales’s eSIM platform ensures robust security for connected vehicles, protecting data transmission and preventing unauthorized access.
Enhancing Connectivity for Automotive Giants
Cubic’s partnership with Thales benefits a broad range of automotive manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Volkswagen AG, Cariad, General Motors, SEAT, IVECO, and CNH. These companies are expected to gain significantly from the improved eSIM solutions, which ensure effortless connectivity management for their fleets.
One of the critical advantages of this collaboration is the ability of vehicles equipped with Cubic’s solutions—now enhanced with Thales’s platform—to automatically connect to local networks as they travel across different regions. This eliminates the complexities associated with network switching and reduces additional operational costs, ensuring a seamless global experience for both manufacturers and end-users.
With pre-configured connectivity profiles, vehicles can be activated dynamically at the factory level, meaning manufacturers can deploy them in multiple markets without requiring extensive post-production modifications. This feature is particularly valuable for global automotive brands, as it significantly simplifies logistics and supply chain management while improving overall efficiency.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Nick Power, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cubic, emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing the challenges that OEMs face when adopting GSMA M2M eSIM solutions:
“Thales has been a trusted partner of Cubic since 2017. For OEMs, adopting GSMA M2M eSIM has been anything but simple. Technical complexity, vendor lock-in, and managing multi-MNO connectivity at a global scale have all slowed adoption. Transitioning to a leaner, more efficient GSMA eSIM IoT architecture will be essential. This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardization, interoperability, and innovation, ensuring Cubic customers can enjoy a more flexible, cost-efficient, and future-proof approach to global connectivity.”
Eva Rudin, Vice President of Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales, also highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration:
“With this upgrade, Cubic aims to remain at the forefront of IoT connectivity by addressing evolving market demands. The integration of Thales’s ‘On-Demand Subscription Manager’ platform will enable Cubic to maximize end-to-end connectivity management for OEMs, ensuring devices are seamlessly connected from factory to field. This collaboration underscores our dedication to standardization, interoperability, and continuous innovation in the IoT space.”
Broader Implications for the IoT Ecosystem
The impact of this partnership extends beyond just the automotive sector. As industries continue to embrace IoT-driven connectivity solutions, the need for efficient, scalable, and secure eSIM management becomes increasingly crucial. The collaboration between Thales and Cubic sets a new benchmark for how companies can leverage standardized eSIM solutions to drive efficiency and innovation across multiple industries.
For the transportation sector, eSIM technology simplifies fleet management by allowing logistics companies to maintain real-time connectivity for tracking and optimizing vehicle performance. In agriculture, smart farming solutions depend on reliable connectivity to monitor soil conditions, automate irrigation, and optimize crop yields. The introduction of standardized eSIM management solutions will enable these industries to scale their IoT applications more effectively.
A Future-Proof Approach to Global Connectivity
As the world moves towards an increasingly connected future, seamless and reliable connectivity solutions are more critical than ever. The partnership between Thales and Cubic marks a significant step forward in eliminating the complexities traditionally associated with global connectivity management. By embracing the GSMA SGP.32 standard, this collaboration ensures that industries reliant on IoT can benefit from an advanced, flexible, and secure eSIM framework.
With their combined expertise, Thales and Cubic are not just simplifying connectivity management—they are redefining the future of connected vehicles and beyond. As more organizations look to implement next-generation eSIM solutions, this partnership serves as a model for how technology providers can work together to deliver seamless, efficient, and scalable connectivity solutions on a global scale.
