iSIM: Next Evolution Of The SIM Technology, Beyond eSIM

While the physical nano-SIM is small enough for consumers, smartphone users can attest to the inconvenience of fiddling with the little things when you want to swap your SIM card for whatever reason. Phone and chip manufacturers on their part are always looking for a way to fit more in even smaller spaces. Hence the introduction of the embedded SIM(eSIM).

eSIM is a programmable chip embedded in the smartphone. It is carrier-independent and can be programmed to run on different networks easily. Activating a new connection and switching carriers is as easy as downloading and installing a configuration file via a QR code provided by a mobile network.

An integrated SIM or iSIM is the new evolution of the subscriber identity module technology, in which the SIM functionality is directly built onto the smartphone processor or System-on-Chip(SoC). Hence it offers enhanced security features and occupies even less space in the phone's real estate compared to traditional SIM cards or eSIM.

iSIM also comes with a Secure Processing Unit which adds an additional layer of protection.

With mobile networks, phone manufacturers and other stake holders working together, iSIM will soon become the default method of managing phone users’ subscriptions.

Mobile networks will be able to seamlessly support iSIMs using existing systems for eSIMs.

Last year, Qualcomm, Thales and Vodafone showcased a proof of concept of the iSIM technology, also called Integrated Universal Integrated Circuit Card (iUICC).

iSIM requires significantly less power than eSIMs, making, for example, massive IoT use cases more operational, Thales explains. The technology now has the first-ever eSA certification of an iSIM defined by the GSMA (GSMA eUICC Security Assurance certification). This confirms that iSIM supports the same high standards of cyber-protection and flexible ‘anytime, anywhere’ connectivity offered by Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP).

Qualcomm announced that its current flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has iSIM built-in. It is the first commercially available SoC to feature iSIM