The Future of SIM Cards - eSIM

What is a SIM?

A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)  is a smartcard that is necessary to make use of a mobile phone. It is used to identify and authenticate the mobile subscriber.  The SIM has a memory available for saving contacts and messages.

Every  SIM user i.e a mobile  subscriber is identified with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)  and a telephone number.

What is an eSIM? 

An eSIM is a SIM-card that is embedded in the mobile device. The SIM stores all information that is necessary to identify and authenticate the mobile subscriber.

An eSIM will come in the form of an integrated SIM chip that cannot and need not be removed from a device. The eSIM is sometimes called an eUICC (embedded Universal Circuit Card). The information on the eSIM will be compliant and rewritable by all 
operators. The identification information can be updated over the air, to enable a change of operator. A new SIM will no longer be required.

The driver for eSIM comes from the difficulty to change a SIM card in M2M devices, such as smart meters. However, it will also be used in mobile user equipment. One of the first manufacturers that started to use an eSIM was Apple. The Apple SIM was introduces in iPads in the United States.

 Apple Watch Series 3 with eSIM

M2M are required to be pre-installed in devices, it is the  responsibility of device makers to complete subscriber verification. However, the person or end user will be responsible  update subscriber details if he or she transfers device to other user.

 Apple recently launched Apple Watch Series 3 with eSIM  

See Apple Watch 3 on EE

• eSIM will be Coming to other phones, laptops and other devices soon.