2023-06-23 15:11:21
Let’s start with a step back in time. SIM cards appeared with the GSM standard in 1991, allowing subscribers to use their phone on any network and their operator account (i.e. their mobile phone number) with any phone. , simply by inserting a piece of plastic with an electronic chip.
This technical detail – the SIM card – still today provides a great advantage to the GSM standard over the other standard, CDMA, which several operators have gradually abandoned, such as Bell and Telus in the country.
For those interested, the cell planet was divided into two clans:
GSM: global system for mobile communications – global mobile communications system. SIM: subscriber identity module or CDMA Subscriber Identity Module: code division multiple access – code division multiple access
Another throwback to the past, more than ten years ago, the launch of the LTE standard (long terme evolution – long term evolution technology) sounded the death knell for the CDMA standard.
Like regular SIM cards, an eSIM is a standard digital SIM chip that allows you to activate a cellular plan with your carrier without having to use a physical SIM card. According to Apple, there can be up to eight or more eSIM chips on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.
The operator Videotron describes it even better: “The eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a tiny chip embedded in a mobile device that performs the same functions as a standard SIM card.”
The eSIM is 60 times smaller than the nano SIM card and can be soldered into any mobile device, such as a smart phone, smartwatch, connected computer or tablet. It is standardized by recognized organizations in the industry.
The eSIM chip has some advantages:
Design of new ultra-flat and waterproof devices, thanks to the saving of physical space and the absence of a slot for a standard SIM card Ability to connect new types of devices Increase in the number of connected devices per user Improvement of the customer experience by digitizing the mobile plan subscription process Simplified logistics for mobile operators
Scalable chip for the Internet of Things
This scalable chip (about 5x6mm, a fraction of the size of a nano-SIM) not only stores subscription data, but can also be downloaded over the air, remotely.
Concretely, it is no longer necessary to manually insert SIM cards into our mobile devices or into the hundreds of millions of connected objects that will invade our offices and homes; commonly referred to as the IoT or the Internet of Things.
Simplified setup
To configure an eSIM card for the first time on your smartphone, the procedure is very simple, just turn on your device and follow the instructions on the screen. The subscriber will have to open a QR code generated by the operator or manually enter the following parameters: the address of the SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation) server and the activation code. The operator will provide them to you.
The eSIM fast transfer service allows you to transfer SIM data from your old device to the new one without the need to contact the carrier.
Customer benefits
In fact, eSIM technology has both advantages and disadvantages, at least for carriers.
Certainly, it simplifies the sale of services, but it also makes it easier for customers to switch to the competition. Currently, there is a certain delay between ordering a new SIM card and receiving it. With an eSIM, the transition is kept to a minimum, you can get an activation code much faster. The operators certainly don’t want you to leave them with such ease.
Second, in most Western countries, smartphones are contracted, meaning they are tied to the carrier that sold them and only work with SIM cards issued by that carrier. This negates the benefits of eSIM for subscribers.
And multiple profiles
Finally, the last customer advantage, the eSIM chip can host several profiles simultaneously, with a memory capacity of 512KB compared to 64 or 128KB for traditional SIMs. This allows users to switch between virtual SIM cards. In the new iPhone for example, this is done by tapping on Settings –> Cellular –> Cellular Plans.
Your iPhone, for example, probably already has an eSIM chip. This is done by going to Settings –> Cellular Network –> Add eSIM. As shown here.
1687625102
#Heres #eSIMs #work #smartphone