Mobile phones are one of the most important gadgets in today’s world. We can’t even imagine our life without our smartphones. But, do we ever think about the SIM cards that make all the good things about smartphones possible? This tiny chip is of utmost value. Knowing everything about this chip can help you get the most out of your cell phone. Here are the most important SIM-related facts.
1. ABC of a SIM card
SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module. It is a small plastic card that fits into your phone’s SIM slot. A phone/tablet can function only through a Wi-Fi connection in the absence of SIM cards. SIM cards are so ubiquitous today that there are more SIMs in circulation than the entire population of human beings on the planet.
2. Functions of the SIM Card
A SIM card is a small computer chip that holds information and allows you to connect to your network carrier. You can save contacts and text messages to it. Compared to the huge amount of space available on our phone, a SIM card can store only about 64 Kb, and it is enough for it to function.
In case your phone is damaged you can borrow someone else’s phone and insert your SIM card into it, and then you can have access to your contacts, text messages, etc. Keep in mind that the borrowed phone must have the same size SIM card slot as yours.
3. Basic Technical Terms Related to SIM Cards
Every SIM card has an ID number also known as IMSI which stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. This number helps the network to identify the phone when you turn on the phone inserting the SIM card. Along with IMSI the SIM also has a unique MSISDN which stands for Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number. Though the full form of MSISDN sounds complicated, it’s actually your phone number.
Moreover, the SIM card also has a personal identification number (PIN) to protect your SIM card against theft.
4. A SIM Card is a Small Circuit Board to Identify you
The telecom carriers make you install this small chip in your phone when you subscribe with them so that they can identify and authenticate you on their vast network. The SIM card along with the cell phone handset in which it is used are together called Mobile Station. Also, it makes things much simpler when your service provider company needs to bill you by your number.
5. Different SIM Card Sizes and their Evolution
There was a time when a SIM card used to be the size of a credit card. The original size of the SIM card was 86×54 mm. Though it was large in size, all of it was actually a plastic card with an actual contact surface, the same as later cards. They were used in fixed car phones and early portable handsets. Thankfully, it has become compact and more powerful today, and it is getting smaller and smaller eventually. Nowadays, most smartphones either use micro SIM or nano-SIM cards but in older phones, mini-SIM is used.
6. Invention of SIM Card
A company named Giesecke & Devrient in Munich (Germany) developed the world’s first SIM card in 1991. In that era, they sold 300 SIM cards to a wireless network operator from Finland named Radiolinja. And today, SIM cards are sold in billions across the world every year.
7. The Next Generation of SIM cards
The next-generation SIM cards are known as UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) or eSIMs. These SIMs are embedded in the device itself and therefore aren’t removable. The plus points of such SIMs include lesser logistics challenges, and they will be able to operate from anywhere across the globe. There will be fewer distribution and installation costs. Its connectivity is expected to be very fast, as it will be enabled to function from the time it leaves the factory. All you’ll need to do would be to register your phone with a subscriber and start using it right away. If you need to change the phone, you’ll have to contact the service provider, and it will transfer the account data remotely.
8. The Concept of International SIM Card
The best solution to roam around the world without being charged with different and hefty roaming tariffs is to use an international SIM card. You can call people anywhere, and the people who call you won’t have to pay anything extra to reach out to you either. You don’t need to change your SIM card every time you land in a different country. Incoming calls and incoming text messages are free. Since the plans are affordable, you can talk on the go without worrying much about the bills.
9. The Biggest Manufacturer of SIM Cards in the World
According to the report of “The Intercept”, an American-based news organization, a Netherlands-based company Gemalto is the world’s largest producer of SIM cards. As per the reports, it produces 2 billion SIM cards per year. Major telecom giants of the world like Vodafone, Verizon, AT&T, etc are Gemalto’s customers.
The above-mentioned facts will help you to know your SIM cards better. Though the technology related to the SIM card is continuously evolving, the basic functions of the SIM remain the same. No matter how advanced the smartphones become, they will always need a subscriber and for that very purpose, SIM cards will be needed in some or other form. In the future, the SIM cards may not be tangible and visible to mobile phone users, but they are going to stay forever as long as the phones and tablets exist.