Johannesburg, South Africa (7 March, 2023): iONLINE Connected Networks, one of South Africa’s largest enterprise private LTE providers, has made history by launching the country’s first-ever locally developed intelligent network switching (eUICC) SIM, with MTN, South Africa’s fastest mobile network, as the local breakout partner.

This innovative technology allows iONLINE's FlexiSIM – as it is named – to be remotely updated, no matter where it connects, and enables iONLINE to switch mobile network operators (MNOs) over the air. This gives users complete control over their SIM card 24/7, with the ability to switch carriers as needed. The network resilience across MTN, Vodacom and Telkom ensures that users can maintain connectivity even in areas of poor coverage.

This revolutionary development is especially relevant in South Africa, where loadshedding is increasingly prevalent and affects businesses regardless of size or industry, particularly when towers go offline, leaving devices with no network coverage.

Dave Farquharson, founder and CEO of iONLINE, says: “Unstable connectivity can have serious consequences for the economy. It creates inconvenience and frustration, and results in missed opportunities, lost customers and decreased revenue. Moreover, it impedes growth, progress and innovation, hindering business success. In short, unreliable connectivity is as detrimental as unreliable power. It can be the deciding factor between a flourishing business and a failing one.”

iONLINE and MTN worked closely together to build a virtualised MTN SIM known as a profile – the first time this has been done with a South African MNO. This MTN profile can be downloaded to the FlexiSIM remotely over the air using the eUICC (embedded universal integrated circuit card) – a component of the SIM which allows iONLINE to switch MNOs over the air. The ability to remotely update the SIM using iONLINE's global network also makes it possible to reconfigure the SIM to connect to various roaming and local carriers at local rates around the world.

This new era of network resilience and connectivity will change the game for any enterprise organisation which uses mobile networks to connect their devices.

“Our team is thrilled to be launching the FlexiSIM. After 18 months of research and development, it is a testament to our dedication to innovation and our commitment to providing the best possible solutions to our clients,” says Farquharson. “The FlexiSIM will completely change the game for businesses that need to stay connected across the globe. And we are incredibly proud to be the first company in South Africa to launch this technology with a local carrier profile.”

"Picture your team on the cusp of launching a groundbreaking new product, solution or technology that could potentially save lives, or closing a game-changing deal that could elevate your business to new heights. All the effort, passion and dedication invested in this crucial moment can be shattered in an instant because of a dropped connection or power outage. The frustration of something like this is unimaginable. Unfortunately, these unforeseeable events do occur," Farquharson warns.

The iONLINE FlexiSIM offers a seamless, worldwide mobile connectivity solution that is both user-friendly and adaptable. Its emphasis on privacy and security ensures that concerns about data breaches or leaks are eliminated, while the ability to remotely update the SIM without complex configurations or transitions means that it can easily accommodate businesses of any size.

"Consider the impact of uninterrupted global connectivity on your business," says Farquharson. "Imagine the possibilities if this obstacle were no longer a concern."