Viettel has become the first Vietnamese network operator to successfully test eSim (electronic Sim) technology on smart watch devices.

In addition to the function of monitoring health and exercise, eSim technology also enables the watch to make calls, receive messages, and connect to the internet. It uses Viettel’s 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and in particular supports voice over 4G (Voice Over LTE).

With eSim technology, the watch can be operated independently in any area with mobile waves without needing to pair it with a nearby mobile phone.

This helps users feel more comfortable and be more flexible when participating in sports and outdoor activities while still keeping in touch, especially in an emergency.

Each smart watch will have a private subscriber number or the same number as a mobile phone subscriber, called Multi-Sim service or One Number.

The Multi-sim / One Number service is the trend among operators around the world when deploying voice service on smart watches. It will be tested by Viettel in August.

Viettel is working with major smart watch manufacturers to test devices, ensuring full compatibility when operating on its network.

It is expected that Viettel customers will be able to official use the eSim service on smart watches in the fourth quarter of this year.

Mr. Le Ba Tan, Deputy General Director of Viettel Network, said that after the testing of the eSim service on mobile phones, Viettel will continue to test eSim on smart watches in the hope that customers will soon have new experiences and catch up with the latest technology trends around the world.

“We will test and apply many other advanced IoT technologies to serve the connection needs of people in the time to come,” he added.

Some smart watches already support eSim, such as Samsung Galaxy/Gear S3 and Apple Watch Series 3/4, but only provide services in certain foreign markets.

Smart watches in Vietnam only receive calls via Bluetooth connections with a mobile phone, but if the two devices are far apart the watch cannot field the call.

Source : http://english.mic.gov.vn/Pages/TinTuc/139368/Viettel-successfully-tests-eSim-service.html