BT and Ivanti Launch Remote eSIM for Android Devices

Adding a new physical SIM to a mobile phone does not take long, but you’d think otherwise if you had to swap them out across thousands of devices, many of them being in other countries. 

To address this very issue, BT Business and Ivanti have partnered with Android to launch a remote eSIM installation capability for managed Android devices. 

The companies state that this is the first time a telecoms company has enabled businesses to install and activate eSIMs directly through a Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform, removing the need for physical device handling or manual configuration steps.

The technology allows organisations to provision mobile connectivity for device fleets that could number in the thousands, cutting deployment time from days to minutes. Devices will either install eSIMs automatically or through a short installation process using a single digital route.

How the remote installation works

MDM platforms allow IT departments to configure, monitor and secure mobile devices used across an organisation. 

By integrating eSIM installation directly into these existing management workflows, businesses can now set up connectivity for new devices while applying other corporate policies and applications.

The approach integrates connectivity from the start of the device lifecycle, giving IT teams visibility and control over mobile deployments from day one. This brings device management and connectivity provisioning into a single workflow rather than treating them as separate processes.

Automation addresses security concerns

The capability addresses growing pressure on IT departments to reduce manual processes that can introduce errors. 

According to the announcement, 92% of security professionals report that automation reduces response times when dealing with security incidents.

"As organisations scale their mobile fleets, setting up connectivity must be as automated and manageable as the devices themselves," says Bruce Payne, Principal Field CTO at Ivanti. 

"Embedding eSIM installation and activation directly into the management workflow allows organisations to further standardise provisioning, reduce manual effort and maintain control as mobile estates grow. 

“Working together with Android and BT, we're helping businesses improve user experience by removing unnecessary complexity and making large-scale Android deployments faster and more consistent."

By removing manual steps from the eSIM setup process, organisations can reduce the risk of configuration errors while accelerating how quickly devices reach end users.

Partnership enables consistent deployment

The collaboration brings together Android's device ecosystem, Ivanti's management platform capabilities and BT's mobile expertise. 

"Customers want devices that are ready when their people need them,” says Sally Fuller, Mobile and Unified Mobility Director at BT.  

“Working with Android and Ivanti has allowed us to create a simple and reliable way to switch on connectivity across Android devices. 

“It removes processes which can slow organisations down and replaces it with a single digital process that works sustainably and at scale."

Ivanti follows “Secure by Design” principles. Its core offering is its AI-based Neurons platform, which works to provide its users with consistent visibility, scalability, and secure solution implementation.

BT Business is one of BT Group’s four customer-facing business units. The other are: Consumer, Openreach – the largest wholesale fixed access network in the UK – and International. 

However, BT Group and Verizon Communications recently announced that they have signed an agreement to merge their international enterprise operations into a 50:50 joint venture. 

The new entity will serve more than 3,000 customers across more than 180 countries, generating approximately US$4bn in combined annual revenue.