{"id":5170,"date":"2012-11-07T09:49:20","date_gmt":"2012-11-07T14:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=5170"},"modified":"2012-11-07T09:49:20","modified_gmt":"2012-11-07T14:49:20","slug":"sim-obsolete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/11\/sim-obsolete\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the SIM becoming obsolete?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>This post discusses whether SIMs are becoming obsolete due to Wi-Fi, which is able to support both voice and Internet services on mobile and portable devices.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5172\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/11\/sim-obsolete\/sim-card-vaidas-m-flickr\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?fit=320%2C212&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"320,212\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"SIM card (Vaidas M, flickr)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?fit=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?fit=320%2C212&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-5172\" title=\"SIM card (Vaidas M, flickr)\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?resize=179%2C118\" alt=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/v4idas\/\" width=\"179\" height=\"118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?w=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/SIM-card-Vaidas-M-flickr.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/><\/a>Both the neophyte and experienced mobile\/cellular phone user alike tend to be\u00a0familiar with the term \u201cSIM\u201d or \u201cSIM card\u201d. They might not know what it means, or how it functions, but it is widely considered an essential component for the proper functioning of a mobile\/cellular phone. However, through current advances in technology it is indeed\u00a0possible to operate\u00a0mobile\/cellular phones without a SIM. This post outlines the key functions of a SIM, but more importantly, highlights why it might be less critical to the mobile and other portable devices as we know it.<\/p>\n<h3>What is a SIM?<\/h3>\n<p>A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module) or SIM card is an integrated circuit that stores information specific to a particular mobile\/cellular network, and is used\u00a0to identify and authenticate its subscribers. Critical information stored on SIMs include,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID)<\/li>\n<li>an International\u00a0Mobile \u00a0Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)<\/li>\n<li>an Authentication Key (Ki)<\/li>\n<li>a Local Area Identity (LAI) and<\/li>\n<li>an Operator-specific Emergency Number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, SIM cards can offer some storage of user-generated\u00a0data and can encrypt phone transmissions to reduce unlawful interception.<\/p>\n<p>Devices based on Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technologies typically require SIMs. These technologies tend to predominate in the Caribbean, and include standards such as EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), HSPA\u00a0(High Speed Packet Access) and Long Term Evolution (LTE). (See our post, <a href=\"EDGE, WiMAX, 3G, 4G: what\u2019s the difference? \" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>EDGE, WiMAX, 3G, 4G: what\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/em><\/a>,\u00a0for more details on the different mobile technologies).<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, there are mobile\/cellular technologies that do not need\u00a0SIM cards. Instead, authentication and security information is embedded\u00a0into the device itself. However the growing trend towards LTE\u00a0and LTE Advanced, both of which are derivatives of the GSM standard, does suggest that, increasingly, all mobile\/cellular handsets will likely have some version of a SIM in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<h3>But is a SIM really necessary?<\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to the convergence that has occurred between mobile\/cellular service and Internet, wireless devices, such as smartphones and tablets, can connect to the Internet using technologies such as Wi-Fi.\u00a0 Thereafter, through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, such as those offered by Skype, and other similar applications, users can conduct voice calls without connecting to their telecom carrier\u2019s mobile\/cellular network.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5174\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2012\/11\/sim-obsolete\/no-sim-installed-engadget-mobile-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?fit=448%2C330&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"448,330\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"no-sim-installed (Engadget.mobile)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?fit=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?fit=448%2C330&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-5174\" title=\"no-sim-installed (Engadget.mobile)\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?resize=269%2C198\" alt=\"http:\/\/m.engadget.com\/2011\/11\/17\/some-iphone-4s-owners-reporting-ominous-no-sim-card-installed\/?icid=eng_SimCard_art\" width=\"269\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?w=448&amp;ssl=1 448w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/no-sim-installed-Engadget.mobile1.jpg?resize=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 269px) 100vw, 269px\" \/><\/a>Furthermore, it must be\u00a0highlighted that it is also possible to operate\u00a0a smartphone\u00a0or tablet without a SIM, that is, using Wi-Fi exclusively. Some manufacturers of tablet computers, in particular, give consumers the option of\u00a0purchasing a device that either, requires a SIM (or service through a telco); uses Wi-Fi only; or both. However, the price variations between those options can be\u00a0considerable, since telcos are sometimes prepared\u00a0to subsidise the price of carrier-dependent devices, on the condition that users are locked\u00a0into certain contracts for a fixed period of time.<\/p>\n<p>For devices that are designed\u00a0to use a SIM, the ability to operate\u00a0without one will depend on, primarily, the make and model of the device, and whether a telco or the manufacturer\u00a0 has implemented any constraint on the device, such as SIM lock. If a SIM lock exists, the device might not be\u00a0useable until a SIM has been installed.<\/p>\n<h3>Key trade-offs when not using a SIM<\/h3>\n<p>For smartphones and tablets that accept a SIM, on occasion it might be necessary to use\u00a0it either without or bypassing the SIM. For those who might be keen to do so, and for devices that use Wi-Fi only, it may be prudent to consider the following pros and cons:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Benefits of Wi-Fi:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Inexpensive<\/strong>. Typically, the average user does not need to subscribe to a telecoms provider for mobile\/cellular or Internet service \u2013 someone else might have borne that cost and is prepared\u00a0to share access to his\/her service. Additionally, depending on the software applications being used, calls, web browsing, etc., can be\u00a0free, or significantly\u00a0discounted, relative to the rates charged by telcos for their data plans.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choice of applications<\/strong>. Users have access to a broad range of software applications, through which desired services can be delivered.<\/li>\n<li><strong>International mobility<\/strong>. Wi-Fi is a global set of standards (IEEE 802.11 series). \u00a0Hence it easier to access\u00a0and use those networks when one travels internationally, unlike other mobile\/cellular networks, where different technologies can be used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Disadvantages of Wi-Fi:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Limited security<\/strong>. Transmissions on public Wi-Fi networks \u2013 those that are not password protected \u2013 can be readily intercepted and hence users are frequently\u00a0advised not to conduct sensitive transactions in those environments. For Wi-Fi networks that are password protected and encrypt transmissions, their secure-ness\u00a0is dependent, in large part, on the strength of the passwords implemented by network owners\/managers. On the other hand, mobile\/cellular transmissions are generally considered more secure than Wi-Fi, as carriers have more encryption and authentication options via the SIM and their network configurations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coverage limitations<\/strong>. Unless carriers or local planners have committed to provide\u00a0Wi-Fi across an entire city, state or country, typically, its availability depends on individual\u00a0Internet subscribers allowing persons to connect to their wireless networks. Furthermore, Wi-Fi connectivity tends to have a small footprint, for example\u00a0within a building or covering between 50 to 100 metres outdoors. Hence, persons limited to Wi-Fi are not only dependent on others allowing access to their networks, they also frequently experience less consistent connectivity than persons who, via a SIM, are able to use their carrier\u2019s mobile\/cellular network.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Parting\u00a0remarks<\/h3>\n<p>Although the Internet might be obviating the need for a SIM, telcos might be more inclined to ensure\u00a0that it remains since it allows them some measure of control over their customers, especially for billing. Having said this, there are benefits to using devices that require\u00a0a SIM, such as better security and access to networks that are more cohesive and cover a considerably larger geographic footprint. However, evident\u00a0by the growing take-up of tablet computers worldwide; the relatively high price of mobile broadband services (e.g. the data plans offered by carriers) particularly in the Caribbean; and the benefits Wi-Fi does offer, Wi-Fi is likely to remain an attractive option for most mobile\/cellular customers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Image credits: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/v4idas\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vaidas M<\/a> (flickr); <a href=\"http:\/\/m.engadget.com\/2011\/11\/17\/some-iphone-4s-owners-reporting-ominous-no-sim-card-installed\/?icid=eng_SimCard_art\" target=\"_blank\">Engadget.mobile<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>______________<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post discusses whether SIMs are becoming obsolete due to Wi-Fi, which is able to support both voice and Internet services on mobile and portable devices. Both the neophyte and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[17,11,19,18,22],"tags":[29,30,45,26,9,37,44,68],"class_list":["post-5170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-caribbean","category-ict-tech","category-mobile-telecoms-2","category-telecoms-2","category-wireless","tag-3g","tag-4g","tag-applications","tag-gsm","tag-lte","tag-smartphones","tag-standards","tag-tablets","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-1lo","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5170"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5185,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5170\/revisions\/5185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}