By: Kigen
Government initiatives such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) are accelerating the rollout of smart electricity meters to modernise distribution networks, improve operational efficiency and reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses. Alongside wider Digital India initiatives and programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM Surya Ghar), the country’s energy infrastructure is becoming increasingly connected, intelligent and data-driven.
The long-term success of this transformation will depend on a less visible challenge: how to keep millions of devices securely and reliably connected over operational lifetimes that may extend 15-20 years or more.
During that time, mobile technologies will evolve, network coverage will change and connectivity providers may change. Replacing SIM cards or connectivity hardware across millions of deployed devices is neither operationally simple nor economically attractive. This makes connectivity architecture a long-term infrastructure decision – not simply a component choice.
At Kigen, we believe trusted connectivity is fundamental to delivering that vision. Through our leadership in the GSMA’s SGP.32 specification, our GSMA SAS-certified eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM) and our work demonstrating real-world interoperability across the IoT ecosystem, we’re helping enable the secure connectivity foundations that modern utility infrastructure requires.
Why smart metering matters
Smart meters are about far more than replacing traditional electricity meters.
For India’s electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), they provide greater visibility across the network, enabling more informed operational decisions while improving the experience for consumers.
One of the most immediate benefits is more accurate billing. By automatically transmitting meter readings, smart meters reduce reliance on manual readings and estimated bills, increasing transparency and helping build greater confidence between utilities and consumers.
They also play an important role in reducing technical and commercial losses. Better visibility of the network allows utilities to identify outages, abnormal consumption patterns and potential energy theft more quickly, helping improve efficiency across the electricity distribution system.
Continuous data from connected meters also enables faster fault detection and more proactive maintenance. Rather than waiting for faults to be reported, utilities can identify issues earlier and prioritise repairs more effectively, improving service reliability across both urban and rural communities.
These benefits create the foundation for a more intelligent electricity network—but only if every meter can communicate securely and reliably throughout its lifetime.
While today’s rollout is centred on electricity, the same principles increasingly apply across the wider utility sector. Water, gas and other utility meters all rely on trusted connectivity to deliver accurate data, support remote management and provide the operational visibility that modern utilities increasingly depend on.
The hidden challenge: 15-20 years of connectivity
Unlike many IoT deployments, utility infrastructure is expected to remain in service for 15–20 years or more.
A meter installed today may remain in the field through several generations of mobile technology, changes in local network coverage and potentially changes in connectivity provider.
For India, even a small proportion of devices requiring physical intervention can translate into significant truck rolls, maintenance costs and operational complexity. For DISCOMs and utility operators, the question is therefore not simply whether a device can connect today, but whether that connectivity can be managed efficiently throughout the life of the asset.
Industrial-grade eSIM technology enables connectivity to be embedded directly into the device while supporting secure remote SIM provisioning throughout its operational lifetime. Instead of physically replacing SIMs when connectivity requirements change, utilities can securely manage connectivity remotely, helping reduce maintenance costs while improving long-term resilience.
For infrastructure designed to operate for decades, that flexibility becomes a significant operational advantage.
Building flexibility through open standards
Long-life infrastructure also requires interoperability.
Utilities need the flexibility to deploy devices from different manufacturers, work with multiple connectivity providers and adapt as technologies evolve without replacing existing infrastructure.
The GSMA SGP.32 specification was developed specifically to simplify secure remote SIM provisioning for constrained IoT devices such as smart meters. As one of the companies helping to develop the specification, Kigen is supporting an open, standards-based approach that enables secure lifecycle management while reducing dependence on proprietary ecosystems.
Interoperability, however, extends beyond the specification itself—it needs to be demonstrated in practice.
Earlier this year, Kigen collaborated with ecosystem partners during the IoT Stars Reality Check to demonstrate SGP.32 interoperability in a live multi-vendor environment. The demonstration successfully provisioned and managed eSIM connectivity across multiple hardware platforms, connectivity providers and Kigen’s GSMA SAS-certified eIM, proving that secure remote profile download, activation and lifecycle management can operate seamlessly across different vendors rather than within a single proprietary ecosystem.
For utilities, the significance is straightforward: devices do not need to remain tied to a single connectivity provider or proprietary management ecosystem throughout their operational life. That flexibility can help reduce vendor lock-in and provide greater freedom to choose the hardware and connectivity partners best suited to changing requirements.
Managing connectivity from factory to field
Deploying connected infrastructure is only the first step.
The ongoing challenge is securely managing connectivity throughout years—often decades—of operation.
Kigen’s GSMA SAS-certified eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM) enables utilities and connectivity providers to securely provision, activate and manage SGP.32 eSIM connectivity remotely throughout the lifecycle of a deployment.
For manufacturers, In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP) further simplifies production by securely provisioning connectivity during manufacturing while allowing utilities to remotely manage or change connectivity later if operational requirements evolve.
Together, these capabilities help simplify manufacturing, reduce operational complexity and support efficient deployment of connected infrastructure at national scale.
Security by design for critical infrastructure
As utility infrastructure becomes increasingly connected, cybersecurity becomes fundamental.
Every connected meter, gateway and field device forms part of critical national infrastructure. Protecting device identity, securing connectivity throughout the deployment lifecycle and adopting trusted open standards all contribute to building resilient digital infrastructure that utilities and consumers can rely on.
Kigen’s secure eSIM technology, together with its GSMA SAS-certified eIM, provides the trusted foundation needed to support secure lifecycle management while enabling interoperable, standards-based deployments.
A broader shift towards connected energy infrastructure
India’s focus on secure connectivity extends beyond smart metering.
Recent guidance from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) requires Machine-to-Machine (M2M) SIM communication for inverter communication devices and data loggers deployed under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, helping enable secure and reliable transmission of generation data. The guidance also points towards vendor-neutral communication frameworks for monitoring connected energy assets at national scale.
While this guidance relates to M2M SIM connectivity rather than eSIM specifically, it reflects a broader trend. Across India’s utility sector, secure cellular connectivity is becoming a fundamental component of modern digital infrastructure. As these deployments continue to scale, standards-based technologies such as SGP.32, eSIMs and eIMs provide a natural evolution—enabling secure lifecycle management, interoperability and greater operational flexibility across long-life connected assets.
Building India’s connected utility future
India’s investment in digital utility infrastructure extends far beyond today’s smart electricity meter rollout. The decisions being made now about connectivity, interoperability and lifecycle management will shape how efficiently these systems can evolve over the next two decades.
As utilities continue to modernise electricity, water, gas and distributed energy systems, the need for secure, interoperable and remotely managed connectivity will only increase.
Through its leadership in SGP.32, secure eSIM technology, GSMA SAS-certified eIM, In-Factory Profile Provisioning and proven multi-vendor interoperability, Kigen is helping utilities, manufacturers and connectivity providers build trusted connectivity designed for decades of reliable operation.
Because the future of India’s digital utility infrastructure isn’t just about connecting more devices—it’s about ensuring every connection remains secure, interoperable and ready for whatever comes next.
Talk to Kigen
Whether you’re planning a smart metering deployment, evaluating SGP.32 for utility applications or exploring how secure eSIM technology can simplify long-life connected infrastructure, Kigen can help.
Our team works with utilities, device manufacturers, module providers and connectivity partners to deliver secure, standards-based connectivity solutions that support the entire device lifecycle—from manufacturing through to remote connectivity management.
Get in touch to discuss how Kigen can support your connected utility projects.
