It looks like advancements on smartphones will continuously make their way into the market, and along the way, render other devices obsolete. These days, smartphones seem to be getting, and having, it all. Now, they may even have a new type of SIM card within the phones.
Smartphone giants and competitors Samsung and Apple have reportedly been speaking with mobile carriers to make this new mobile SIM, called the e-SIM. USA Today has reported that the e-SIM may do away with the plastic widget or card element of the SIM. The e-SIM will remain unlocked, having open lines for users to easily switch mobile networks within the operating system they are using.
Whether the technology will materialise or not still leaves to be seen. Even as the two companies have begun talking to mobile networks, it is important to note that SIM cards are significant players for telecommunications companies. SIM cards contribute largely to the earnings of mobile carriers, being the tangible component of the service offered by mobile networks.
Also, locking a phone to a specific network is precisely how carriers keep customers from just casually switching mobile networks. With e-SIM, the purpose will be defeated. The security properties of the e-SIM has also not been discussed, as problems with the OS may affect the service of mobile networks.
The considerations cited may point to the technology not arriving to smartphones anytime soon. Although virtually everyone in the world owns a smartphone, with Apple and Samsung comprising almost 100% of its entire market sales, the SIM card is still of use to developing countries, where many still do not have the devices.
For the meantime, Apple has given its users the Apple SIM, which allows them to switch networks among the company's mobile partners. Reports claim that the technology may arrive next year at the soonest.
