The eUICC chip used to host the eSIM is installed via surface-mount technology at the factory and uses the same electrical interface as a physical SIM as defined in ISO/IEC 7816 but with a small format of 6mm × 5mm. Once an eSIM carrier profile has been installed on an eUICC, it operates in the same way as a physical SIM, complete with a unique ICCID and network authentication key generated by the carrier.[6] If the eSIM is eUICC-compatible, it can be re-programmed with new SIM information. Otherwise, the eSIM is programmed with its ICCID/IMSI and other information at the time it is manufactured, and cannot be changed. One common physical form factor of an eUICC chip is commonly designated MFF2.[7] All eUICCs are programmed with a permanent eUICC ID (EID) at the factory, which is used by the provisioning service to associate the device with an existing carrier subscription as well as to negotiate a secure channel for programming.[8]
In November 2010, the GSMA began discussing the possibility of a software-based SIM.[11] In March 2012, at the meeting of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Motorola noted that eUICC is geared at industrial devices, while Apple foresaw eSIMs in consumer products.[12] In March 2017, during Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm introduced a technical solution, with a live demonstration, within its Snapdragon hardware chip associated with related software (secured Java applications).[13] In June 2018, Singapore sought public consultation on introducing eSIM as a new standard.[14] In 2023, there were 650 million installed devices with eSIM capability.[15]
In December 2017, Microsoft launched its first eSIM-enabled device, the Microsoft Surface Pro LTE.[28] In 2018, Microsoft also introduced eSIM to the Windows 10 operating system.[29] In July 2018, Plintron implemented the eSIM4Things Internet of things product.[30]Motorola released the 2020 version of the Motorola Razr, a foldable smartphone that has no physical SIM slot since it only supports eSIM.[31] Samsung shipped the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S20 in North America with eSIM hardware onboard but no software support out of the box. The feature was enabled with the One UI version 4 update in November 2021.[32]
Usage in Gaza
Israeli bombardment, in response to the massacre of Israeli citizens by the Palestinians on October 7th, electricity blockades and fuel shortages has caused the near-total collapse of Gaza’s largest cell network providers.[33][34][35] eSIMs have been used to provide internet access to people living there by allowing them to connect to remote networks including Israeli networks.[36][37] eSIMs have been donated through schemes like Connecting Humanity, run by Mirna El Helbawi who discovered that eSIMs could be used to reconnect people in Gaza.[38] By December 2023 200,000 people living in Gaza (around 10% of the population) had received internet access through an eSIM.[35][39][40]
There is no need to obtain, store, and insert/eject (and potentially lose) small physical SIMs.[41]
If the phone is stolen, it can be tracked by "find my phone" services, while a physical SIM can be removed.[41]
The risk of damaging a SIM socket's delicate contacts inserting and removing a SIM is eliminated.
Phones with eSIM only do not need to be built with hardware SIM holders or means to insert them. This is particularly relevant for small devices such as smartwatches.[41]
Users can update to a new plan or switch carriers instantly online.[42]
eSIMs are better suited for Wi-Fi hotspots due to seamless network switching and enhanced security.[43]
The eSIM chip is half the size of the smallest physical SIM card, allowing phone designers to use space for other applications.[5]
eSIMs provide cost savings when traveling internationally.[5]
Disadvantages
eSIMs cannot be easily transferred to another phone; the process usually requires technical support.[44] If a phone is broken, anything restricted to the eSIM's network becomes inaccessible; in particular, calls cannot be received, and resources (calls, SMS, data) paid for cannot be used. A physical SIM can be transferred from a broken to a working phone.[41]
The eSIM, which allows communications to be made and charged to the account-holder, cannot be removed if having the phone repaired, or lending it to someone.
eSIM accounts must be deleted or transferred from a phone when it is sold or disposed.[45]
There may be compatibility issues with some phones.
An eSIM cannot be physically removed from a device, which some might view as a disadvantage if they are concerned about being tracked.[41]
The implementation of the eSIM on the Samsung Galaxy series in North America (USA and Canada) is different than the implementation in the rest of the world:
North American variants lack the ability to specify different default SIMs for different functions, e.g., one SIM as the default for data and the other SIM as the default for voice. They require that the same eSIM be the default SIM for data, voice, and SMS.
The US variants also force a reboot each time the user switches eSIMs, while other models do not, because the CSC codes correspond to a single carrier.
If a phone is bought directly from a carrier with a SIM lock, the phone can only add eSIMs from the same carrier as the one on the physical SIM card, even after a carrier unlock.[citation needed]
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