Russia Prepares Domestic IoT SIM Cards for Machine-to-Machine Communications
By late 2023 Russian mobile operators and several other companies were preparing to test a batch of domestically produced SIM cards designed for machine-to-machine communications used in the Internet of Things. The information was reported by Kommersant, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. These tests mark a step toward localizing the hardware needed for a growing range of connected devices and industrial applications.
The newly developed SIM chips are intended to support Internet of Things devices across various sectors. They are expected to find use in smart home appliances, industrial equipment, financial terminals such as ATMs, and numerous other connected systems that rely on reliable M2M communications. The emphasis is on durability, security, and the ability to operate in diverse environments where machine connectivity is essential.
The leading manufacturer identified is the Zelenograd-based plant Mikron. The company outlined plans to launch at least several hundred thousand products in 2024. The Ministry of Industry and Trade did not exclude the possibility that additional enterprises, including NM-Tech, may join the program at a later stage to broaden production capacity and distribution.
Mass production and formal market release of the new chips were anticipated to begin in 2024, with operators already receiving the first batches of devices for testing. Industry observers noted that the rollout would likely expand the ecosystem around domestic IoT connectivity, improving resilience and reducing dependence on external suppliers for critical components.
Analysts predicted a notable expansion in the M2M SIM card sector, estimating a growth rate around 20 percent for 2024 as more devices are deployed and more industries adopt automated, connected solutions. The trend aligns with Russia’s broader goals to strengthen domestic production capabilities in the technology and telecommunications sectors, while also addressing security and supply chain considerations that arise with reliance on foreign components.
In related developments, a separate initiative opened a new factory dedicated to drone production, reflecting ongoing investments in advanced manufacturing and unmanned systems. This broader push indicates a strategic move to boost domestic capabilities across a range of high-tech segments, including logistics, monitoring, and industrial automation, where M2M connectivity plays a pivotal role.