TCA’s new guidance addresses emerging interoperability considerations presented by the growing adoption of eSIM technology. It provides an analysis of key recent Java Card technology updates, along with the impact of broader ecosystem developments from 3GPP, ETSI and GSMA. A series of best practices and security recommendations are also detailed to maximise interoperability and ensure applet assets are sufficiently protected. For developers seeking practical guidance, recommendations are collated into a comprehensive ‘interoperability checklist’ to help address common challenges and deliver high-quality applets.
The eUICC Profile Package: Interoperable Format Test Specification version 3.3.1 has the objective of testing if a profile is correctly interpreted and correctly loaded on an eUICC. It includes tests for eUICCs supporting IoT minimal profile. It provides a globally standardised means of testing products which implement Version 3.3, Version 3.2, Version 3.1, Version 2.3.1, Version 2.2, or Version 2.1 of the eUICC Profile Package: Interoperable Format Technical Specification.
The Profile Elements defined in the test specification are provided separately in ASN1 format. It is mandatory to use the ASN1 files for the creation of the DER codes.
The Specific_ASN1_definitions shall be used when creating the DER code for Test Case 8.2.11.4 (check unknown tag in Profile Package) at least for the DF-CUSTOM-by-Generic-File-Management-4 profile element.
The Test Applets used in the Profile Packages are provided as an informative attachment of the specification.
The new TCALoader tool enables mobile operators and application developers to download, install and manage applications on the UICC / eUICC to test interoperability across different deployments. This supports increasing industry demand for the delivery of various services through eSIM technology. The TCALoader is an evolution of the CAT Loader tool. This was first released by SIMalliance in 2007 (which became the TCA in 2020) and has been widely used by mobile operators and application developers to test and implement new services. The TCALoader introduces enhanced features to support different SIM form factors such as eSIM and integrated SIM, meet latest industry standards, support new protocols and increase security.
The objective of the Interoperable Format Technical Specification v3.3.1 is to define the technical specification of a standard format to be used for the loading and installation of an interoperable Profile Package in any compliant eUICC. Note that v3.3 is deprecated and is replaced by v3.3.1.
This specification is based on the following Trusted Connectivity Alliance document: eUICC Profile Package: Interoperability Functional Requirements. Major updates have been made to the specification to support the remote loading of eSIM profiles onto network-constrained IoT devices, as well as full alignment with 3GPP Release 17 to enable enhanced 5G functionality and emerging use-cases. It also includes clarifications and guidance to further promote eSIM interoperability.
The embedded UICC (eUICC), and the subsequent requirement for remote provisioning, has introduced the need for a number of operations, previously carried out in personalisation centres by individual UICC vendors, to be performed remotely in an open ecosystem.
This document specifies the structure and coding required to build, remotely load and install a profile in an eUICC.
It is intended primarily for Profile Creator providers, Profile Creator users (i.e. Mobile Network Operators or MNOs) and eUICC vendors in order for them to elaborate and exchange profiles with guaranteed interoperability.
The Profile Package, as technically specified in this document, represents the structure of data to be built by the Profile Creator and to be loaded in the eUICC in order for the eUICC to be personalised according to the content of the Profile Package.
The objective of this document is to guide implementers of versions 2.3 and version 2.3.1 of the eUICC Profile Package Technical Specification in case it is used in an eUICC developed according to version 2.2.1 or earlier of the GSMA Specification SGP.22 (RSP technical specification).
This ecosystem framework document describes the functions and actors involved when loading firmware to a Tamper Resistant Element (TRE).
This document defines the interface between the IDS and the OFL Agent. It complements a GlobalPlatform fast track specification published in 2017 that defines how Tamper Resistant Element (TRE) firmware can be loaded and managed onto various TRE form factors – including SEs such as removable, embedded and integrated SIMs – after a device has been issued.
This document makes it easier for mobile network operators (MNOs), service and solution providers to deploy Mobile Connect services which use an authentication application provisioned on the user’s SIM card.
The Open Mobile API (OMAPI) Specification defines how mobile applications may access different secure elements (SEs), including the UICC and embedded secure elements (eSEs) in a mobile device. Ownership of the OMAPI Specification has been transferred to GlobalPlatform.
This document defines recommendations for UICC configuration and feature requirements in mobile near field communication (NFC) payments. The aim of this document is to provide guidelines that support service providers, mobile network operators (MNOs), manufacturers and implementers of mobile NFC payment services, by facilitating system integration, simplifying interoperability and reducing market fragmentation.
This document provides interoperability-focused technical considerations, recommendations and specification extracts needed to simplify the development, deployment and support of NFC services across UICC and embedded SE (eSE).
General guidelines intended to ensure that a SIM’s security levels are optimally maintained.
This technical requirements document identifies the integrated UICC features to maximise service
delivery and commercial utilisation of LTE/EPS networks.
This document is a collection of guidelines and recommendations for optimal support of the UICC by device manufacturers designing handsets, tablets, modems and other devices making use of a telecom UICC.
A set of interoperability collaterals containing detailed specifications, standardisation considerations and pragmatic tips to simplify the development, implementation and support of NFC contactless services and applications.
The CAT Loader 2.0 enables network operators and service developers to manage ETSI toolkit applications compliant with the latest release using the high-speed CAT-TP protocol, and allows users to download and install applications on the SIM card, as well as analyse card content and remove applications.
Note that CATLoader 2.0 is deprecated and is replaced by TCALoader.
This document specifies the requirements to implement a unified XML schema for SIM cards prototyping and testing. ‘SIMpml’ refers to SIM Profile Mark-Up Language.
This document is a practical guide to interoperability with tips and suggestions to help service developers design applications that will work with any USIM card.
