The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications allowed the Tele2 operator to continue the experiment on issuing eSIM, Deputy Minister of Communications Oleg Ivanov told Vedomosti. The operator has resolved the issues of ensuring the security of using eSim, he said. Up to 15,000 subscribers will take part in the test, he points out. He did not specify the timing of the experiment.

ЕSim is a module built into a tablet, smartphone or smartwatch and replaces a regular SIM card. To connect a device with an eSim to the cellular network, you do not need to insert a plastic SIM card, but rather scan the QR code provided by the operator (essentially a virtual SIM card), after which the new phone number will be recorded on the built-in module. The technology makes it easier to connect to the network and change operators. The eSim module is only built into the latest mobile devices, such as the iPhone XS, iPhone XR and the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

Tele2 was the first Russian operator to begin issuing eSims to subscribers on April 29 in several Moscow stores, but the issuance was suspended the very next day. The operator explained this by the lack of virtual SIM cards. Then Tele2 planned to issue 5000 eSim as part of the experiment. It was not revealed how much they managed to give out. On May 14, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications announced that it had asked the operator to suspend the project “until all security issues are resolved.” The company satisfied the department’s request and stopped issuing eSim, a Tele2 representative said at the time. The FSB opposed eSim, RBC reported in early April .

On September 19, a Vedomosti correspondent received an SMS message from Tele2 that he could go with his passport to one of the operator’s six Moscow showrooms and receive a virtual SIM card. The eSim pre-order was made in April.

An interlocutor close to Tele2 confirmed that the operator has resumed issuing virtual SIM cards in several Moscow communication stores. Both customers who have pre-ordered in advance and new users can receive an eSim. A limited batch of virtual cards will be issued, he clarifies, but does not name the exact number.

Deputy Minister of Communications Ivanov refused to disclose to Vedomosti what the problem with the security of the new technology was in April. According to him, this was a “technical issue” on the operator’s network that did not affect subscribers. Now Tele2 has corrected it, the FSB has checked and approved it, and therefore the operator was allowed to continue the experiment, the official says. Subscribers who received eSim in April can use the connection; all security issues regarding them have also been resolved, Ivanov assured.

Vedomosti sent a request to the FSB.

A Tele2 representative declined to comment on issues related to the resumption of the eSim experiment.

Initially, during the test, Tele2 wanted to test eSim technology on a wide range of devices, analyze how it would work in parallel with regular SIM cards of other operators, and find out what regulatory issues might arise with the mass introduction of eSim, the operator’s representative listed.

The test algorithm fully ensures subscriber identification, since receiving an eSim is no different from receiving a physical SIM card, says Ivanov. The subscriber physically comes to the operator’s communication salon, presents a passport for identification and receives a package containing a code for scanning instead of a SIM card, he explains.

The next stage that will need to be implemented is completely remote receipt of eSim, says the deputy minister, but does not specify when this will be possible. The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications has several ideas on how to identify the identity of such subscribers, says Ivanov. For example, you can use a single portal of government services: if a person is identified there, then he will be able to link his eSim there, says Ivanov. There is another opportunity - to identify yourself at MFC branches, where special booths will appear for identifying citizens to receive government services.

The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications allowed Tele2 to continue the experiment with eSim