Samsung Gear S2 boasts world's first programable eSIM

The Samsung Gear S2 has become the first device to be equipped with a pretty major industry standard: GSMA's remote SIM provisioning (RSP) allows eSIMs to be programmed to whatever network the user wants to use.

It's the result of a pretty major collaboration between tech's biggest names including Samsung, Apple, Qualcomm and Microsoft.

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For now, the programmable eSIMs (users simply download the profile they want) are just for smartwatches, fitness trackers and tablets but there are plans to launch the standard to smartphones in June.

The major networks are all on board: AT&T, CK Hutchison, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, EE, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Rogers, Sprint, Telefónica, Verizon, Vodafone and more.

The idea is that, not only does the eSIM mean wearable devices can be made smaller and still have cellular connectivity, but users will be able to share their network data plans across multiple devices.

Back in October, AT&T announced NumberSync for the Gear S2, allowing wearable device owners to continue to make and receive calls and text messages even if their smartphones are nowhere in sight. Programmable eSIMs take that idea a step further.

"This is the only common, interoperable and global specification that has the backing of the mobile industry and lets consumers with a mobile subscription remotely connect their devices to a mobile network," said Alex Sinclair, CTO of GSMA.

"This new specification gives consumers the freedom to remotely connect devices, such as wearables, to a mobile network of their choice and continues to evolve the process of connecting new and innovative devices."

The RSP eSIM Gear S2 version will begin shipping in March. Let's hope that all smartwatches come packing the compatible eSIMs from now on.