The design of physical SIM cards has hardly changed over the years. Of course, they have decreased in size: Mini-SIM 25 x 15 mm, Micro-SIM 15 x 12 mm, Nano-SIM 12.3 x 8.8 mm. However, SIM cards retained functionality and compatibility regardless of format. And you still need to insert a small plastic card into your phone or tablet to connect to the mobile network.
When dual-SIM smartphones first appeared on the market, they aroused great interest among users who were trying to solve the problems of network availability, savings, roaming, and so on. At some point, this evolutionary path of phones also came to a standstill - it is physically impossible to set the number of SIM-cards sufficient to satisfy all user requests. Now there are solutions that allow you to choose any network at any time. In this case, no action is required with the SIM-card itself - it simply will not be in new devices.
eSIM
Every cubic millimeter of a smartphone counts when you're trying to create ever more complex electronics. At first, they abandoned the 3.5 mm audio jack, now the relatively large SIM-card seems an anachronism to manufacturers.
Phones without SIM cards have existed for a long time - they were used in DAMPS and CDMA-800 networks. However, such devices were tied to the communication standard: it was impossible to change the number or connect to another operator simply by inserting another SIM card into your phone.
GSM phones without a SIM slot were introduced several years ago. The connection of such devices to mobile communication is carried out without buying an embedded card - the operator and the tariff are selected in the device settings. The SIM-card in the form of a microcircuit is sealed into the device at the stage of its manufacture.
The advantages of such a solution are obvious: when traveling, it is much easier to switch to the network of a local operator, the problem with different standard sizes of SIM cards disappears, and the vacated space can even be used for new smartphone functions.
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Samsung Gear S2 3G became the first device to support eSIM (Embedded SIM), but the technology gained massive popularity after the release of Apple Watch Series 3 (sales of the new model of Apple watches doubled the figures for Series 2). Apple's decision was not without interesting features: the eSIM in Watch 3 only works with the iPhone - while the iPhone and Apple Watch must be connected to the same mobile operator.
iSIM
The SIM problem exists not only for smartphones, but also for smart things. Therefore, ARM has developed an iSIM for all IoT devices. The new technology allows the SIM to be embedded in the processors to save even more space.
The card developed by ARM occupies "a fraction of one square millimeter." For comparison, an eSIM, although smaller than a nano-SIM, still takes up 6 x 5 mm of space in a phone.
The technology is primarily intended for small IoT devices - for example, for wireless sensors that need to transmit data using a mobile connection. ARM's goal is to keep the cost of these products as low as possible. In the future, the technology can be used in other devices, including smartphones.
Virtual numbers
In some countries (including Russia), a SIM card is a unique identifier for a subscriber, and connection to an operator requires a written agreement indicating passport data. The use of eSIM will require changes at the legislative level. An alternative option can be the technology of virtual numbers - while the physical card does not disappear from the phone, but its capabilities are significantly expanded.
Burner interface.
In 2012, entrepreneurs Greg Cohn and Will Carter laid the foundations for a product that would eventually become Burner. This app allows users to create temporary disposable phone numbers. However, this and similar applications cannot solve all subscribers' requests. In addition, questions arise in terms of the security of such a solution.
BlackBerry in 2015 acquired Movirtu, a virtual SIM technology company. The technology allows you to activate up to nine virtual phone numbers on one SIM card. It is possible that the user uses one virtual number for voice and SMS, and the other for mobile Internet or roaming.
Swytch interface.
The Swytch app offers multiple virtual SIM functions for single SIM phones. Swytch acts as a switch for five phone numbers, handling calls over 4G, 3G, or Wi-Fi, depending on what you have access to.
Other solutions
There are many ways to ditch your regular SIM. There is no single standard in this area yet, and many companies prefer to develop something of their own rather than borrow technology from competitors.
KnowRoaming's SoftSIM is the solution used in ZTE and Alcatel phones. The application allows you to select the country you are in and the required data packages, and then pay for them without reinstalling the phone's SIM card. SoftSIM works just like a regular SIM card.
The GlocalMe project was originally a portable communication point. The gadget scans the surrounding area for 3G and 4G networks, the signals of which are then converted into a Wi-Fi signal. The device used the technology of a virtual SIM-card, supported work in 100 countries of the world and was able to broadcast the signal to 5 devices.
GlocalMe smartphone.
Last year, uCloudlink introduced the GlocalMe smartphone based on CloudSIM technology. In fact, the external device was changed to an interesting technology: using the built-in eSIM chip, the phone connects to the local network and sends a signal to the cloud server to determine which of the available networks is the most suitable for the phone at a given time. Later, the solution was used in Xiaomi smartphones.
Gemalto eSIM either integrates or connects to your mobile device and has the ability to work with multiple mobile networks. The service is activated using the GigSky app, which allows you to choose online any suitable tariff plans depending on your current location.
Google began to implement its own development Project Fi, which is not just a virtual SIM card - it is a full-fledged virtual operator that automatically switches between networks depending on the signal strength and speed. A phone connected to Project Fi automatically connects to open Wi-Fi hotspots, transferring data over VPN. If during a phone call the Wi-Fi signal is lost, the system smoothly transfers the call to the cellular network without interrupting the connection.
Conclusion: Are SIM Cards Doomed to Extinction?
It always takes time to innovate. As phone makers have begun to support eSIM and other technologies that solve SIM problems, new devices won't have to wait too long.