Nowadays, you won’t find anyone who doesn’t use a smartphone. At its core, a smartphone is no different than a traditional mobile phone because the difference lies in the technology that allows them to function. Of course, smartphones are also evolving because the limitations that older phones have no longer constrain them; part of such evolution is driven by new features like the embedded SIM card.
The SIM card is a fundamental aspect of a mobile phone because it identifies the phone’s user on the network. Without it, you can’t do tasks such as make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, or use data services. While an embedded SIM (eSIM) card does all of these, they’re a new technology that changes how mobile technology works. Despite this, few people know how they work, much less about their existence. For this reason, we’ll discuss the details in this article.
An eSIM is a SIM card that is built into the phone. It uses a software-based solution that doesn’t require a physical card. As such, eSIMS are favored for smartphones and an integrated circuit that stores network-specific information to identify an end user on a mobile network.
The eSIM is also a re-programmable SIM that allows mobile network operators to provide remote SIM provisioning of mobile devices. As a result, eSIMs are an evolution of the existing SIM card technology and have been adopted by the GSMA as the standard for all future SIM-based devices.
An eSIM is integrated into the device during manufacturing and is not visible to the user. Mobile network operators can remotely provision mobile devices with an eSIM profile using the mobile network’s Subscription Management Platform (SMP). The SMP is a server that stores all of the mobile network’s subscriber information.
Once the mobile device is connected to the mobile network, the SMP can provision the eSIM with the necessary subscriber information. This allows the mobile device to connect to the mobile network and use all of the network’s services.
When you use an eSIM, you can reap the following benefits:
With an eSIM, you can easily switch from one mobile network to another. There’s no need to go to a service provider’s store to get a new SIM card. All you need to do is update your subscription profile in your mobile device’s settings.
This is even more helpful when you travel, especially since eSIMs are available in over 150 countries. When you go overseas, you can save valuable time by subscribing to a local mobile network right after you land.
SIM cards are physical objects that can be easily lost or stolen. The thief can access your account and use your phone number to commit fraud if your phone gets stolen. On the other hand, an eSIM is attached to your phone, so it’s much harder to lose. Also, it’s much harder to clone an eSIM than a physical SIM card.
With an eSIM, you can have multiple phone numbers on one device. This can be useful for work and personal calls. You can also use multiple phone numbers to make international calls.
For example, you can have a U.S. phone number with one carrier and a U.K. phone number with another. You can use the U.S. phone number to call your contacts in the U.S. and the U.K. number to call your contacts in the U.K.
If you’re unhappy with your current carrier, you can switch to another carrier without getting a new SIM card. This is because your eSIM is stored on your device, not in a physical SIM card.
The only possible drawback when using an eSIM is that you need to download all your data when changing devices. Since your eSIM is stored on your device, you can’t just move it to your new device. Instead, you’ll need to back up your data and restore it on your new device. Lots of data can be stored in a mobile phone, especially if it has been used for several years, which may take some time if you’re downloading everything.
If you’re considering switching to an eSIM, you’ll need to check if your carrier offers it. Most carriers support it but might not yet offer it for all their plans. For example, Verizon offers an eSIM on its iPhone plans but not Android ones.
Regardless, eSIMs are a great way to keep your phone number and data plan when switching devices. Just be aware that you’ll need to back up your data before making the switch.
An eSIM is an excellent way to protect your data while making it easier for you to switch to a new phone. However, you’ll need to be sure that your carrier offers eSIM support for your phone and plan. If it does, you can do tasks more efficiently with your phone.
If you’re looking for an embedded SIM, CELITECH has what you need. Our eSIM platform is equipped with robust features and comprehensive data plans, all for affordable prices. Simply request a demo to learn more.
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