How are SIM cards made
Germans are credited with the creation of SIM cards, which have a long and illustrious history. These days, a small group of foreign producers control the great bulk of the SIM card industry. However, with the introduction of the eSIM, the competitive environment of the SIM card manufacturing industry may be turned upside down. A SIM that has been included into the circuit board of the device during the manufacturing process. The traditional SIM cards that were produced in the early 1990s were as thick as credit cards and could only store a maximum of 5 text messages. In contrast, the modern eSIM is roughly half the size of a nano SIM can and can switch between carriers with the simple scanning of a QR code. Traditional SIM cards were manufactured in the early 1990s. Micro- and nano-SIM cards are likely to become obsolete in the near future, despite the fact that network providers might have a conflict of interest with the eSIM.
Who made the first SIM card?
A German firm, long at the forefront of the industry for creating secure smart cards and banknotes, created the first SIM cards. The initial batch of 300 SIM cards the company produced were sold to Radiolinja, a Finnish mobile service provider. The first ever Global System for Mobile Communications call was made on the Radiolinja network back in 1991.
Who is the biggest manufacturer of SIM cards?
When it comes to SIM cards, none compare to Gemalto. The company’s headquarters are in the Netherlands, but it also has production facilities in other countries, such as the United States. As reported by “The Intercept,” Gemalto manufactures over two billion SIM cards annually. Not only do the firm’s wares find their way into mobile phones, but they are also used in credit cards, electronic passports, and national identification cards all around the world. Major financial institutions and credit card companies are among Gemalto’s clientele. Gemalto chips are used by all major automakers, including Audi and BMW. Gemalto’s chip cards (including SIM cards) account for 49% of the global market.
What information is stored on a SIM card during manufacturing?
The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, assigned by the network operator who ordered the SIM card, and a 128-bit key called Ki are encoded into the SIM card’s memory during production (Key Identification). User credentials (username and password) for a mobile phone are stored in the SIM card chip and denoted by the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and Key Identifier (Ki).
HLR is a dedicated database that stores the associated IMSI and phone number for each subscriber (Home Location Register). The customer’s temporary “guest” registration with other carrier networks is used to duplicate this data in another database called VLR (Visitor Location Register) in each area of the network.
What are eSIMs, and how will they make traditionally manufactured SIM cards obsolete?
An eSIM (embedded subscriber identity module) is permanently implanted in a device and cannot be altered, unlike the SIM cards formerly utilised. The electronic SIM card can be reconfigured to work with a different carrier if you decide to make the transition. An Apple iPhone, for instance, might simply read a QR code broadcast by the service provider and enter the necessary information. Either manually enter the eSIM information or utilise the provider’s app.
eSIM Advantages:
- Switching service providers is simpler and takes less time now that you don’t have to order a new SIM card. After agreeing to the terms, the eSIM can be re-activated instantly.
- No more headaches caused by SIM card sizes that are incompatible with one another. SIM cards no longer require having holes punched in them.
- There will be no more risk of harm being incurred with the insertion or removal of SIM cards.
eSIM Disadvantages:
- Mobile operators are apprehensive about the possibility that the eSIM could slow down the widespread adoption of mobile payments.
- Since the SIM card, the device, and your contact details are all linked, there may be less data protection and privacy. When an eSIM is reprogrammed, whether or not the previous user’s information remains on the SIM card can also be a factor.
- When appropriate, an eSIM can be assigned to any item (a refrigerator, a car, a bike) so that it can communicate with a mobile phone or the web. Whether or whether eSIMs can be totally disabled remains an open question. The importance of safeguarding sensitive information is once again front and centre.
Why the ever-increasing IoT landscape will drive eSIM manufacturing
There is no doubt that IoT network providers will see the eSIM as another connectivity milestone that will further boost the feasibility of IoT-powered projects, despite the fact that many network providers are still reluctant to roll out eSIMs to most of their clients. IoT network providers will likely choose eSIMs due to the following reasons:
Fast and flexible deployment of IoT devices
There would be a lot of manual work involved if a new Internet of Things project with hundreds or thousands of IoT devices had to be deployed in a foreign country with separate coverage zones and traditional legacy SIM cards were to be used. Due to the eSIM’s elimination of this logistical headache, the time it takes to bring a project to market may be drastically cut down.
Switching carriers with ease
Consumers and Internet of Things initiatives alike face challenges when they need to switch network carriers. With eSIM, customers can instantly change their service provider without having to manually acquire and install a new SIM card. As a result, you can access an IoT-device even if it’s in a remote location without having to be physically close to it.
More compact and convenient
There are times when it’s important for an Internet of Things device to be as compact as feasible, and this demand is also felt by producers of consumer-oriented networking devices. Devices that utilise eSIM technology do not need a SIM card tray, and an eSIM card measures only about half the size of a nano-SIM card, coming in at 6 x 5 x 0.67 mm. The result is a more compact and convenient product for the end user at a reduced manufacturing cost. This is especially useful for medical devices that use the Internet of Things, such as IoT-enabled heart pacemakers and insulin pumps.