Comprehensive technical knowledge base covering 12 GSMA eSIM specifications. 84+ articles on Remote SIM Provisioning — SGP.02, SGP.22, SGP.32, SGP.41, SGP.29, SGP.23, SGP.25, SGP.26 and more.
You want to publish a book. You can’t just make up your own ISBN: you apply to the national ISBN agency, they verify you’re a real publisher, and they assign you a block of numbers. GSMA is the librarian handing out unique ID numbers for eSIM chips, using a formal process to make sure only legitimate manufacturers get them.
SGP.29 v1.1 says four types of organisations can apply for an ERHI1 (the top-level number range from the GSMA):
| Who | What They Do |
|---|---|
| eUICC Manufacturers (EUMs) | The chip factories themselves: they need numbers to stamp onto chips |
| Device Manufacturers | Companies like laptop, car, and phone makers who embed eSIMs into products |
| National Authorities | Government telecom regulators who manage numbering in their country |
| Groups of Device Manufacturers | A coalition of device makers applying together through one representative |
Device Manufacturers and Groups were only added in March 2024 (v1.1) : before that, only chip makers and national authorities could apply!
Before the GSMA hands out any numbers, the applicant must pass three tests:
| Test | What It Means |
|---|---|
| No double-dipping | You don’t already have an ERHI1 (unless there’s a very good reason) |
| Use it or lose it | You commit to using the numbers within 12 months |
| Real company, real rules | You’re a single, legally registered company (not a shell or a fake) |
If you can’t tick all three boxes, no numbers for you!
Getting an ERHI1 isn’t instant: it’s a formal five-step process that takes up to a week:
Download the Registration Form from the GSMA website. It asks for:
Send the completed form to EISRegistration@gsma.com. That’s the dedicated email address for EID assignments: the GSMA’s EIN Assignment Services team (called “DAG”).
The GSMA checks two things:
If verification FAILS → GSMA may investigate further
(especially if it looks like fraud!)
If verification PASSES → Move to Stage 4!
The GSMA picks a unique number range and registers it in their central registry. Status: “Assigned.”
The GSMA sends back the approved form with the shiny new ERHI1. The applicant can now start assigning EIDs to actual chips!
The cancellation process mirrors the assignment: same five stages, same verification rigour:
Critical rule: Once cancelled, an ERHI1 is never, ever reassigned to anyone else. And the former holder must immediately stop using EIDs under that range. This prevents “number recycling” : where someone else’s old numbers accidentally collide with new ones.
The GSMA doesn’t just hand out numbers and walk away. They have year-round responsibilities:
| Responsibility | Details |
|---|---|
| Registry Management | Maintain the master list of all ERHI1s and their status |
| Yearly Integrity Review | Audit all assignments, collect usage reports, find anomalies |
| Expert Advice | Help stakeholders with EID questions |
| No Reassignment | Guarantee cancelled numbers stay cancelled forever |
They also make sure lower-level authorities (Level ≥2: like Device Manufacturers handing out sub-ranges) follow all the same rules.
The GSMA’s verification takes no more than 5 working days: that’s the maximum, not the average. If a fraudulent company tried to apply (perhaps impersonating a real chip maker), the GSMA would catch it during verification and may take further action. The EID assignment process is the gatekeeper that keeps counterfeit eSIM chips out of the ecosystem!
Kid-friendly version of GSMA SGP.29 v1.1: EID Assignment, Sections 11–15