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Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

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Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#51

Post by throwaway2056 »

Reason077 wrote: post #17
chamakits wrote: post #4

This seems like an inevitability; since eSIMs are already here, and manufacturers are going to be thrilled to have fewer moving parts. But it’s disappointing all round. I absolutely love how easy it is for me to buy a new phone, swap in my old SIM and I’m instantly using my old number. As painful as transferring everything else is with new phones, at least I easily keep the same number. With this (and I’d guess with…

> "But it’s disappointing all round. I absolutely love how easy it is for me to buy a new phone, swap in my old SIM and I’m instantly using my old number." In theory, with an eSIM it's even easier to swap in your old SIM because you don't have to deal with the physical SIM card. Especially so if you don't have the physical SIM because it's lost or whatever. In my experience it's super frustrating to have to wait for…

I think OP is right to note that this gives more control to operator. Unless telecom regulators make moving around easy, most operators will tie device IMEI to eSIM (calling it security) and make it hard to move.

Also you failed to notice, all the custom ROM world (yes, they do exist to avoid dumping tons of money onto bloatware infested phones) will be left out. The operator in my country providing eSIM needs no root/jailbreak etc.

(Sure iPhone users do not care)

> are a massive win when travelling, too

Most people in the world are usually in the same place. From my experience, these business travellers are usually not just rich but also have tons of roaming/data plans.

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#52

Post by Reason077 »

chris_overseas wrote: post #44
Reason077 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "But it’s disappointing all round. I absolutely love how easy it is for me to buy a new phone, swap in my old SIM and I’m instantly using my old number." In theory, with an eSIM it's even easier to swap in your old SIM because you don't have to deal with the physical SIM card. Especially so if you don't have the physical SIM because it's lost or whatever. In my experience it's super frustrating to have to wait for…

> eSIMs are a massive win when travelling, too. Instantly activate a data plan at cheap local rates in whatever country your travelling to, without having to first get your hands on a physical SIM... For many years I've owned dual-SIM phones and on many occasions have bought a local SIM a the airport or corner store when travelling for a week or more to countires outside my roaming allowance. This is almost always ch…

I was really thinking of being able to grab an eSIM directly for a local network, rather than one of the "global eSIM providers". You'd just grab your eSIM over WiFi when you land rather than seeking out a physical SIM from an airport vendor.

Obviously it's not the reality that these are easily available in all destinations, yet, but should become more so over time.

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#53

Post by asimpletune »

thedays wrote: post #2

eSIMs are less convenient and less flexible than regular SIM cards - will iSIMs be any different? How many iSIMs will a phone support? Will they support dual iSIMs or triple iSIMs so I can use one mobile number for work, another for my personal life and a third to use when I'm travelling overseas and want to avoid expensive roaming charges?

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I know people who traveled for months, and they have half a dozen eSIMs on their phone. When they enter one of those countries, they just toggle the sim to active and it’s good to go. They do this all the while having a USA physical sim as well. This on iPhone btw.

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#54

Post by mason96 »

Daz1 wrote: post #24
LeoPanthera wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This feels like an American perspective. In Europe (and Asia too?), sim-swapping is pretty seamless, and relatively common.

Not in Japan. Some carriers like Docomo you can't even buy a standalone SIM.

[dead]

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#55

Post by metaphor »

kube-system wrote: post #19
bilekas wrote: post #5

I feel really old thinking that i remember the model of sim cards that were credit card size and not shown in the diagram.

You still get them in that format (but breakaway into smaller formats) if you buy a bring-your-own-sim kit from many carriers.

Pretty sure the parent is referring to the obsolete 1FF variant, e.g. [1]. The intent back then was to use your personal SIM on a shared cellphone.

[1] https://www.telecomkhabar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/C30...

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#56

Post by roneythomas6 »

shalmanese wrote: post #25

Can anyone explain why eSIM was the stopgap solution and we didn't go straight from physical SIM to iSIM? What special requirements does a SIM card have that it was easier to put it on a seperate chip? Now that we've moved to iSIM, does this remove the artificial limitation on the number of SIMs a phone can support? Can I buy a phone in 2030 and load it up with 50 different PAYG SIM cards?

Well the first eSIM devices where smartwatches(Gear S2) and they used the lower powered SOC and the core design was from previously used smartphone SOC. Physical SIM cards where hard to package into a smartwatch, hence the introduction of eSIM. Also smartwatches have much lower profit margin, hence the reason they use older process node and no one wanted spend money on integrating it into SOC when they can use an older smartphone SOC design.

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#57

Post by mtgx »

Reason077 wrote: post #17
chamakits wrote: post #4

This seems like an inevitability; since eSIMs are already here, and manufacturers are going to be thrilled to have fewer moving parts. But it’s disappointing all round. I absolutely love how easy it is for me to buy a new phone, swap in my old SIM and I’m instantly using my old number. As painful as transferring everything else is with new phones, at least I easily keep the same number. With this (and I’d guess with…

> "But it’s disappointing all round. I absolutely love how easy it is for me to buy a new phone, swap in my old SIM and I’m instantly using my old number." In theory, with an eSIM it's even easier to swap in your old SIM because you don't have to deal with the physical SIM card. Especially so if you don't have the physical SIM because it's lost or whatever. In my experience it's super frustrating to have to wait for…

[dead]

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#58

Post by trollied »

masklinn wrote: post #40
World177 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the carriers probably do not like it, as it allows their customers to easily switch service. I also think it could possibly be part of the reason Apple released an eSIM only phone, as it forces the carriers to use eSIMs.

> it allows their customers to easily switch service. It’s not like switching is difficult even with a physical SIM.

It can be made difficult if you want to keep your number. Years ago I worked for a startup mobile operator. The incumbents didn't like the new threat, and did all sorts of shenanigans to stop growth, things like paying people to object to new cell sites etc. One of these things was releasing ported numbers on the last possible day. So, while you had your new device and SIM card, you didn't yet have your old number. The old operators legally had 30 days to release/transfer the old number, and would wait for 29 days before doing so. You'd be surprised at the amount of contract cancellations this would cause, with the customer thinking it was the new operator being useless. The legislation ended up being changed to a more reasonable timeframe because of this anti-competitive behaviour.

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#59

Post by fsckboy »

astrange wrote: post #47
kube-system wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As I understand, it’s because they also have some physical security concerns. They operate kind of like a secure enclave I guess.

It's a "secure element" which is almost exactly like a "secure enclave". NFC payments also use them.

but who is it secured from tampering, and secured to protect whom? The carriers? the customer? the NSA? Qualcomm? for encryption? for signing? ID/auth? "auth" of the above?

Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC

#60

Post by roneythomas6 »

i_love_cookies wrote: post #38
jplona wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are eSIMs less convenient for you? In all of the interactions I've had, eSIM works without issue and right away. Most of the times I've needed a physical SIM card I've had to wait for it to be mailed or plan a trip to a physical store, or the old one is the wrong size and I need a new one or an adapter.

at&t refuses to give me a esim for the pixel6 i bought though them on the same account the concept itself is fine the implementation is a downgrade since it gives the carriers more control

Well just call any at&t store near you and ask them if they have eSIM and don't use their online chat for it. I had at&t eSIM on a Pixel not bought from them.
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