An integrated circuit that securely stores the international mobile subscriber identity(IMSI). It is a portable memory chip that makes you able to make phone call across the world where subscriber's network is available.
The History
SIM cards were introduced all the way back in 1991. The first SIM card was about the size of a credit card. Since then, there have been several updates and iterations, making them smaller and smaller.
This evolution closely aligns with the history of the GSM (Global System of Mobile Communications) mobile network. Developed to describe protocols for second generation (2G) cellular networks, the GSM today stands as the default global standard for mobile communications.
SIM cards are a crucial part of GSM networks, storing user information required for authentication. Ultimately, this allows both your phone to connect with a GSM network and GSM networks to track your phone usage (specifically, your minutes, texts, data usage, etc.), giving carriers the information to send you an accurate phone bill.
GSM is the standard network in Europe, Asia, Africa, and most other places. Interestingly, besides GSM, the United States has an additional network called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) that is used by carriers such as Verizon and Sprint. Phones on the GSM or CDMA network can use any carrier’s network, lowering the costs for the carriers and its users.
When it comes to your phone’s connection with either network, SIM cards are essentially the brain of your device.
The Future
The Future of Sim cards are e-Sim. An e-Sim is nothing except a pre embedded Sim which comes with mobile phone. Let us understand from beginning understanding a regular SIM.
A regular SIM is just a hardware chip which stores IMSI number, network information and can store few contacts, that is all.
This is how a regular SIM connects to a network:
You buy a regular SIM, it has an IMSI number— international mobile subscriber identity, telecom operator activates this IMSI number after document verification and after that, you are allowed to connect to their network.
e-SIM is a similar functioning hardware chip but it has some differences:
This e-SIM hardware chip comes pre-installed on smartphones circuit like any other hardware part.
This means you don’t need to buy a plastic SIM card with a chip inside, you only need to get authorized/registered by a telecom operator of your choice. I’ll explain how registration is done in the next part.
Unlike regular SIM, an e-SIM chip is Re-writable.
This means that information like IMSI number saved by previous telecom operator on e-SIM can be erased & new information can be written again by a new telecom operator.
So how does it works?
Take out your phone.
Open e-SIM app (or some similar interface)
Enter User ID & password provided by your SIM operator—be it Jio, Airtel or XYZ.
And you will be connected to the telecom operator, that is all.
In case you want to change your telecom operator:
Upload/submit your documents online, on the website of the desired operator, they will verify your documents & will provide you a new set of User ID and password.
You will be able to login with this new credentials & you will be migrated to the new telecom operator.
This e-SIM feature enables easier switching/changing of a telecom operator and in addition to this, it removes the necessity of SIM tray thing from a phone.
The End Notes
The Future is becoming more convenient and reliable for everyone. And the innovative minds are doing hard jobs in making every aspect of life beautiful. Here in "The Notes" we will do the hard work for making the knowledge reliable and easy to understand.
That's all for today. I'll be back with more soon. Till then, have a good one.
Cheers!
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