Funding for eSIM reader technology projects

Apply now for up to £120,000 in funding

Connected Places Catapult is working alongside His Majesty's Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory to deliver new electronic SIM (eSIM) card reader technology solutions.

The solutions should be able to gather the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) from a mobile phone's eSIM card to help keep national security officers safe.

Background to this challenge

National security has a requirement to read IMSI numbers from mobile phones and other small electronic devices used by members of staff. Current practice usually involves removing the physical SIM card from the device and placing it into a reader that interrogates the card and displays its IMSI number.

However, mobile phone manufacturers are beginning to move away from using removable SIM cards towards embedded or integrated eSIM cards.

Commercial software solutions are available that read eSIMs, but they also collect collateral data such as contact lists and SMS messages in addition to IMSI numbers. This is unacceptable in this situation as it contravenes data handling regulations.

There is currently, therefore, no acceptable means to read and record IMSI numbers from the emerging generation of eSIM enabled mobile phones and devices.

Challenge details

This challenge will last for 12 weeks and has an indicative budget of up to £60,000 for single organisations and £120,000 per consortium. There is potential for multiple projects to be funded.

This challenge is open to sole innovators as well as industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Successful applicants will be invited to a pitch day, giving them a chance to meet the HMGCC Co-Creation team and pitch their proposals during 20-minute presentations, followed by questions.

After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made.

Find out more about this eSIM reader technology challenge.

First published 2 January 2024