Hosting Party Subscription Identity Module

Description

The Hosting Party Subscription Identity Module (HPSIM) is a subscription and identity management concept specified in 3GPP TS 31.111 for the Machine-Type Communication (MTC) or Internet of Things (IoT) architecture. Architecturally, it is a logical module or profile associated not with the end-user M2M Device, but with a 'Hosting Party' – an entity such as an M2M Service Provider, an enterprise, or a system integrator that manages and provides services for a fleet of M2M Devices. It works by providing a separate subscription identity (potentially linked to an IMSI range or a specific credential set) that is used for network authentication, authorization, and billing purposes for the connectivity service consumed by the devices under its management.

Key components involve the HPSIM credentials stored securely (conceptually, in a UICC or integrated SIM), the M2M Device, the M2M Service Provider's infrastructure, and the mobile network operator's (MNO) core network. The HPSIM enables a two-tier identity model: the M2M Device may have its own subscription identity (e.g., in a Device SIM), while the network connectivity is authorized and billed based on the Hosting Party's subscription (HPSIM). This allows the hosting party to act as a reseller or manager of connectivity. Its role is to decouple the service provisioning and billing relationship from the individual device subscription, simplifying large-scale IoT deployments where a single entity is responsible for thousands of devices.

The HPSIM facilitates features like remote provisioning and management of device subscriptions by the hosting party. It interacts with the MNO's Home Subscriber Server (HSS) or equivalent to authenticate the hosting party's right to enable connectivity for its associated devices. This model supports business scenarios where the cost of connectivity is bundled into a service fee paid to the hosting party, rather than directly managed by the device owner, streamlining operations for vertical IoT applications.

Purpose & Motivation

HPSIM was created to address the unique business and operational models of large-scale Machine-to-Machine and IoT deployments. Traditional cellular subscriptions were designed for human users with a one-to-one relationship between a SIM card, a device, and a billing account. This model becomes cumbersome and inefficient for enterprises deploying thousands of sensors or assets, requiring individual management and billing for each device SIM.

Its introduction in Release 11 was motivated by the need to support 'M2M Service Providers' as a distinct role in the ecosystem. The HPSIM enables a separation of concerns: the device manufacturer or owner manages the device application, while the hosting party (service provider) manages the network connectivity subscription. This solves problems of scalable subscription management, aggregated billing, and flexible service provisioning. It allows service providers to purchase connectivity in bulk from MNOs and offer tailored data plans to their enterprise customers, fostering the growth of the M2M market by reducing complexity and enabling new business relationships. It addresses the limitations of the traditional SIM model by introducing a hierarchical subscription structure tailored for the IoT world.