Core Viewpoint - The three major telecom operators in China are expected to fully reopen eSIM services in the second half of 2023 after a two-year suspension due to business maintenance and upgrades [1] Group 1: eSIM Service Overview - In 2023, the three major operators announced the suspension of eSIM services for smartwatches and independent eSIM cards, citing business maintenance upgrades as the reason [1] - The one-number dual-terminal service allows users to add devices like smartwatches and tablets to their main phone number, enabling shared voice and data plans while allowing independent calls and internet access [1] - The independent SIM service provides devices with their own numbers and dedicated tariff plans, supporting SMS, calls, and internet connectivity [1] Group 2: Impact and Reasons for Suspension - The suspension of eSIM services has significantly impacted smartwatch users, as many who purchased devices with independent eSIM capabilities found they could not activate the features [1] - The reasons behind the suspension include security concerns and unresolved issues among the three major operators, particularly regarding the ease of switching between operators [1] - Industry insiders expect that the operators will establish new industry standards to address these issues before reopening the services [1] Group 3: Current Status of eSIM Services - Some operators have already restarted eSIM services in select cities, with China Unicom resuming eSIM functionality in 25 provinces including Tianjin, Beijing, and Hebei [2] - China Mobile is gradually opening eSIM services nationwide, currently optimizing systems and preparing resources for the rollout [2] - China Telecom has not yet resumed eSIM services, stating that upgrades are still in progress without a specific completion timeline [2]