Does iSIM allow having multiple iSIM accounts loaded on a phone? For someone who travels a lot a great feature of eSIM is that I can load several accounts onto one device and then select which eSIM I need based on where I am for business. If iSIM doesn't allow this then it's a massive step backward.
Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
141–150 of 199 posts
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#142eSIMs 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?
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.
I find eSIMs are less convenient as:
- there are far less providers that support eSIM and the ones that do generally charge more than providers that also support a standard SIM
- it’s often not possible to create a new account using an eSIM. I’ve had to buy a physical SIM and then go through a complicated transfer process and have to either wait on hold for a long time or go into a store to swap over to an eSIM with two different providers.
Most physical SIM cards these days come as a 3-in-1 that fits standard, micro and nano sizes so the size incompatibility issues seem to be mostly fixed in my country at least.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#143Earlier 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
If you can find a corporate AT&T store in your local area, they should be able to help you. The franchise stores weren’t able to do this last time I dealt with this.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#144For those who clicked just to understand what the heck is an iSim :
Rather than a chip on the motherboard, iSIMs are integrated directly onto the SoC.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#145When can I provision my own eSIM/iSIMs? GSMA has a massive monopoly on the market preventing me from being able to provision my own SIM applications into the iSIM/eSIM because they have a certificate chain you must follow.
I'm working with private LTE networks at such small scale that I need to provision eSIMs for a handful of users and literally no eSIM provider that's been GSMA blessed will work with us.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#146So if the iSIM goes bad or stops functioning. Instead of replacing the SIM or eSIM chip. Now you have to replace the entire SoC because of one faulty component.
Good for phone designers (as mentioned, more space for other components). Amazing for phone manufacturers because it pushes more units when a device goes bad.
Bad for consumers because repairability is significantly reduced. Terrible for the environment.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#147This 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…
I've travelled with my eSIM and switched carriers domestically. I've also switched phones. Here are some samples of why it doesn't have to be a problem:
- AT&T makes transferring iPhone - to - iPhone trivial; offers to transfer automatically during setup
- Visible provides an example of a simple app that can install an eSIM on your new device without talking to a customer support rep or waiting for something to come in the mail;
- The previous also applies when moving between competitors - means one can switch carriers in an hour from your living room
- Traveling to Greece with the Airalo eSIM app was trivial to set up (open app, search country, pick data package) and while I'm sure I paid more than I could've if I'd found a local physical SIM, I was able to set it up before leaving the US so it worked instantly the moment we landed, and the app made it easy to track data usage and reload if needed without phone calls or local apps.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#148If I understand it correctly, it's not possible to switch esim to another phone in two scenarious: - dead battery in the current esim holder phone - no internet - crashed or somehow broken esim holder phone The worst thing is that it probably won't be even possible to buy anything since banks tend to tie 2nd payment factor to phone (notifications) or sms. Complete lock up is very possible. I won't use esim as much as…
While in some cases you need to transfer the eSIM, you can also just as easily provision a new eSIM - ex. on Visible, you'd just download the app to your new phone, sign in, and tap install eSIM button.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#149Earlier quoted context omitted.
Outside Europe? Identity verification is mandatory in the EU and afaik there are very few states that haven't implemented it in local law (the netherlands and croatia, I think).
I haven't bought one in Europe, since I have both registered and anonymous Danish SIMs, and an anonymous British SIM. (They can be bought anonymously in both countries.) Are you sure it's EU law? I can't find anything on it.
No, it is not EU (AFAIK).
Anyway, besides Britain (both before and after Brexit), there is only a handful of countries in EU that do not require ID, among them Denmark:
https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/sim-card-regist...
most do require it.
Re: Qualcomm wants to replace eSIMs with iSIMs, has the first certified SoC
#150So if the iSIM goes bad or stops functioning. Instead of replacing the SIM or eSIM chip. Now you have to replace the entire SoC because of one faulty component. Good for phone designers (as mentioned, more space for other components). Amazing for phone manufacturers because it pushes more units when a device goes bad. Bad for consumers because repairability is significantly reduced. Terrible for the environment.
It is an extremely simple chip and right now it is integrated into the motherboard of any phone. This would make sense if the eSim component was an easily swappable element, which it isn't.
Sorry but this critique holds no water. I would even add that, if anything, eSims and iSIMs would probably lower the environmental impact of Sim Cards, which are physical pieces of plastic that are produced (with CO-2 emissions) and shipped (with CO-2 emissions), and also contribute to plastic pollution, as they get shipped in credit-card sized plastic holders that are mostly trash as soon as you get a minuscule nano-SIM out of them.