UCB rolls out eSIM
Published on 10/12/2024 in Customer talks
UCB has opted for the SIM card, only better! In collaboration with Proximus NXT, UCB has rolled out the eSIM to 770 employees. The benefits? Saving costs, saving time, reducing environmental impact...
Biopharmaceutical company UCB is working with Proximus NXT on the rollout of the eSIM: A digital SIM card that is integrated into a smartphone, tablet or laptop and stores the data needed to access the network.
Our Digital Technology team works with end users to create innovative solutions that improve the lives of people with neurological and autoimmune diseases.
Dany Sixte, Digital Workplace Mobility Expert at UCB
“At UCB, we believe that everyone deserves the best life possible. That's why, within the Digital Technology team, we strive to create an optimal work environment for our end users so that they can fully focus on what really matters: developing solutions that improve the lives of people with neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases,” says Dany Sixte, Digital Workplace Mobility Expert at UCB.
“The idea was first launched in 2023. In Belgium alone, we have 2,510 active lines. The convenience of our users and the user-friendliness of the solution were a priority. The eSIM also contributes to cost savings for the company and promotes environmental and sustainability interests by decreasing plastic use and minimizing handling. In terms of internal management, the eSIM also saves time because the card is digital and can be activated remotely."
eID, the unique identification number
Dany: "Proximus NXT, our trusted partner for many years, introduced us to eID functionality. It is a unique identification number linked to the smartphone's network ID that allows the operator to send the eSIM profile to the device. Proximus NXT presented us with a detailed plan for further development, in particular for integrating new functionalities."
UCB is a Belgian biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing, researching and commercializing pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, with a focus on neurology and immunology. The company employs around 9000 people across nearly 40 countries.
The advantages of the eSIM
- Convenience for end users
The experience the eSIM gives to the end user is essential to provide maximum convenience to the employees. - Simplified logistics
The eSIM can be activated remotely which means the end user doesn’t have to travel, or to install it themselves and the fleet manager doesn’t have to do it for each employee. This saves a lot of time. - Environmental impact
The eSIM reduces the production of plastic cards or chips, and there is no need for physical travel. - Cost savings (handling, transport, activation, installation)
With the eSIM, a QR code can be emailed to the users during activation, resulting in time savings and lower costs. - User-friendliness and convenience for end user
The eSIM offers the possibility to use a dual SIM. Thanks to this functionality, the user can have two active mobile subscriptions on one smartphone: a business number and a private number. - Innovations
The eSIM allows users to benefit from the latest innovations on all compatible devices.
A solution that was quickly embraced
“eSIMs are installed on new smartphones issued to employees, with about 770 currently in use. Once Proximus NXT enables Apple devices to be activated in large volumes in early 2025, we will accelerate the rollout," explains Dany. "By the end of 2025, all employees in Belgium will use the eSIM. Our plan is to expand to 17 European countries, and then to Asia and the United States. We expect to further accelerate the rollout with eID activation.”
"By the end of 2025, all 2,510 employees in Belgium will use the eSIM."
Dany Sixte, Digital Workplace Mobility Expert at UCB
Early adopter
“UCB is an early adopter of new technologies and is constantly striving to improve its existing services. Thanks to our interaction with customers, we are constantly improving our solutions," explains Raphaëlle Duwijn, Product and Solution Expert at Proximus NXT.
"UCB is an early adopter of new technologies and is always looking for solutions to improve its existing services."
Raphaëlle Duwijn, Product and Solution Expert at Proximus NXT
A future with eSIM only
"We already offer a portal that allows the eID to be sent to users' laptops, and this will soon extend to other devices too. In time, the physical SIM card will disappear, and all smartphones will be eSIM only, which further justifies UCB’s project,” Raphaëlle concludes.
The eSIM solution
Would you like to follow UCB’s example and use the eSIM solution for your mobile devices?