The Evolution of Sim Cards

The evolution of Sim Cards

By:

Zeeshan Naeem

The modest forms SIM card has survived for quite a while, but it now finally looks like it’s on its way out. How?

Well, the eSIM, a much smarter technology, and finally it is here to save the day.

Before we go into the details of what an eSIM is, it might be helpful to grasp what a SIM is. A SIM, which stands for “Subscriber Identity Module,” basically comprises the information that authenticates your identity to a mobile carrier. In other words, SIM cards are your unique digital identity in a base of millions of a mobile carrier. Without it, mobile carriers would not be able to identify you as a subscriber, and thus would not let you use their coverage cell towers.

What is an eSIM?

Now, an embedded-SIM (eSIM) or embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) is a form of programmable SIM that is embedded directly into a mobile device. The surface mount format provides the same electrical interface as the full-size sim card but is fused to a circuit board as part of the manufacturing process. In M2M(Machine-to-Machine) applications where there is no condition to change the SIM card, this avoids the requirement for a connector by improving reliability and security. A mobile carrier can provision an eSIM remotely. Similarly, end-users can add or remove operators without the need to practically swap a SIM from the mobile device.

Apple brought eSIM support in its Apple Watch (Series 3) and 2^nd Gen iPad Pros. In October 2017, Google released the Pixel 2, which added eSIM for use with its Google Fi Mobile service. The next year, Apple released the iPhone XS along with iPhone XR with eSIM provision. eSIM feature in an iPhone requires iOS 12.1 or later versions.

eSIM in Pakistan

Recently, Jazz Pakistan joined hands with Gemalto to launch Pakistan’s first ever eSIM (embedded SIM) subscription management platform. iPhone XS, iPhone XR or Pixel 2 owners can digitally activate the eSIM by visiting any Jazz Business Center to provision the eSIM on their current mobile number free of charge.

How to activate eSIM?

Initially, Jazz issues you an eSIM pack after your biometric verification which looks like this;

All you need to do now is to find a place with Wi-Fi. Connect your phone with Wi-Fi network first.

Now go to Settings -> Cellular -> Add Cellular Plan

A QR reader option will open to scan a Cellular plan QR. Now you should scan the QR found in the Jazz eSIM pack.

Right after the scan is complete. The phone will prompt you to go with a “non-certified cellular plan”. You continue with this prompt by selecting “Yes” or “Continue”.

Now the phone will ask you to label the new line as “Primary” or “Secondary”. You can always re-label it with the custom name after this process is complete.

After the selection of the label, the phone will auto setup and activate the eSIM. Now switch off your phone and remove the existing physical sim and discard it because the service is now provisioned on your eSIM. You may put the second sim of your choice now and enjoy the dual sim feature in iPhone. The signal bar of iPhone will now show a segmented signal bar.

Your eSIM and another physical sim is now ready to make/receive phone calls. Here is the notification center view of these lines;

eSIM activates eSIM IMEI on your phone. Make sure that your eSIM IMEI is registered with PTA DIRBS. If it is not registered, you may face difficulties after 60 days of Activation of your eSIM.

In order to avoid blocking in DIRBS please perform the following steps.

Read Must: Create Your Online Store with Jazz E-Sell

Send both IMEIs to 8484

Send screenshots of your IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 in an email to typeapproval@pta.gov.pk for whitelisting

We don’t have any type of confirmation that how many eSIMs are activated in Pakistan so far or how many mobile operators will launch eSIMs. However, its definitely good news knowing that the future is here.

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(Source: @naeemze [Twitter])