eSIM Plan Activation Without Manual EID and IMEI Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile plan signup and activation processes for electronic devices require users to manually enter device details like EID and IMEI, which are often unknown to users, leading to errors and a frustrating experience, and involve cumbersome onboarding procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows electronic devices to automatically provide identifying information for mobile plan activation by using a prompt or optical code to launch an application, which interacts with a service provider to download an eSIM without requiring user input of device details, leveraging GSMA TS.43 API for seamless integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually enter device details (EID and IMEI) for mobile plan activation, then the activation process can be completed, but user experience deteriorates due to errors and frustration from unknown device details
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device automatically provides its own identifying information (EID and IMEI) to the service provider without requiring user manual entry. The device serves itself by extracting and transmitting the necessary identification data through the application, eliminating user errors and simplifying the signup process.
Solution Approach 2:
An application acts as an intermediary between the electronic device and the service provider. This application automatically retrieves device identifying information and transmits it to the service provider, mediating the communication and eliminating the need for users to manually handle technical device details.
2Productivity
If users manually enter device details for mobile plan activation, then the process can be completed, but time consumption increases due to cumbersome onboarding procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The identifying information (EID and IMEI) is pre-stored in the electronic device's memory before the user needs it. The application automatically accesses this pre-stored information during the signup process, eliminating the time users would otherwise spend searching for and manually entering these details.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the information retrieval and transmission automatically without requiring user intervention. The electronic device and application handle the entire process of providing identifying information to the service provider, significantly reducing the time users spend on the activation process.
3Ease of operation
If automatic device identification is implemented, then user experience improves, but system complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The application serves multiple functions: it provides a user interface for plan selection, automatically retrieves device identifying information, communicates with the service provider, and manages eSIM download. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated application.
Solution Approach 2:
The application acts as an intermediary layer that abstracts the complexity of device identification and service provider communication from the user. While the backend integration is complex, the user only interacts with the simple application interface, effectively hiding the system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving input that includes a plan identifier from an electronic device. The plan identifier identifies a specified mobile plan for the electronic device. The method also includes, in response to receiving the input including the plan identifier, providing to the electronic device a prompt configured to launch an application on the electronic device. The method further includes automatically receiving, from the application, identifying information for the electronic device for use in implementing the specified mobile plan.