Table of Contents
Introduction: SIM full form
SIM full form is Subscriber Identity Module. People also call it the Subscriber Identification Module. SIM is a portable built-in circuit storing the international mobile subscriber identity. They connect a physical device to the owner’s account, allowing phone companies to measure usage and bill customers for their service. This blog covers everything you should know about your cellphone’s SIM.
What is a SIM Card?
A mobile phone’s SIM or subscriber identity module is a removable smart card. Its main function is to authenticate the subscriber and ensure the user pays for the airtime. A specially designed card enables access to mobile phone networks, and it is known as the SIM card. Additionally, it stores information about your messages, phone directories, roaming between networks, and other value-added voice and data services.
Giesecke & Devrient, a Munich-based smart-card manufacturer, produced the first SIM card 1991. These cards, about the same size as a credit card, were designed to store the data necessary to identify and authenticate users. They provided 300 SIM cards to Radiolinja, a Finnish wireless network provider. Today, SIM cards allow over 7 billion devices to connect to cellular networks worldwide.
SIM Card Components
The SIM card contains a preprocessor and an operating system. The operating system consists of persistent, electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) with a size of 16-256 kB. The RAM controls the program execution flow. At the same time, RAM controls the OS workflow, user authentication, data encryption algorithms, and others.
The hierarchical file is stored in EEPROM. It consists of three files: master, dedicated, and elementary. The master file is the root file, while dedicated files are subordinate directories. The elementary files contain information with structured data of different types.
SIM Card Types
SIM card types can be categorized into two types based on different aspects:
Based on form
Different types of form factors of SIM cards exist, like micro, standard, and nano. The latest and widely used nano SIM cards are used in every smartphone. Let’s learn about every SIM card form in detail:
1. Micro
Micro-SIMs are used in various devices, including 3G and 4G LTE GSM devices, in addition to CDMA phones for 4G LTE service.
2. Nano
All iPhones and iPads starting with the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini, employ nano-SIM, which was initially introduced with the iPhone 5.
3. Standard
With dimensions of 25 by 15, this is the largest of the three SIM sizes.
Based on the type of subscription
Each SIM card comes with a billing plan. Based on that, SIM cards can be categorized into two types:
1. Prepaid SIM
As their name suggests, prepaid services need to be paid for in advance.
2. Postpaid SIM
In a postpaid connection, customers use cellular providers’ services and must pay the bill at the end of the billing cycle.
Working Principles of SIM Cards
The working principle of SIM card can be explained using the following concepts:
Subscriber Identity Module
It contains details of the specialized services the user has chosen and codes (such as the IMSI) to identify a subscriber to a digital mobile service.
SIM Authentication Process
It is a process where each subscriber submits a distinct response based on IMSI (stored on SIM) and RAND (supplied by the network) using the authentication method on the Subscriber Identity Module card. A verified subscriber is signed on to the network and can access the mobile service provider’s services when this response matches values computed on the network.
SIM Card Storage and Functionality
Data capacity for SIM cards can range from 8 KB to at least 256 KB. The 64 KB version provides space for 80 mobile network codes (MNCs), or network identifiers, compared to the 32 KB version’s space for 33 MNCs. All SIM cards may hold a maximum of 250 contacts.
SIM Card Technologies
The different types of SIM card technologies are:
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
The mobile data and phone services GSM offers are available on various devices. GSM is a wireless network for exchanging data among mobile devices.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
“Code Division Multiple Access” (CDMA) refers to several wireless communication technologies used in 3G and 2G mobile communication. CDMA technology aims to transmit digital data through ones and zeros wirelessly.
3G, 4G, and 5G SIMs
Our mobile devices can now manage video calling and internet access with 3G speed but with some challenges and slowness. A mobile user can use online gaming, HD streaming, and other services because of 4G speeds. With 5G speeds, we’re achieving an absurd speed that enables fully autonomous self-driving vehicles, lifelike virtual and augmented reality, and 4k super High Definition mobile streaming.
SIM Card Services and Features
Here is the list of services that a SIM card offers:
Voice and Data Services
A typical SIM card, usually called a voice and data SIM card, offers access to mobile data services and voice and text messaging functionality.
Short Message Service (SMS)
A mobile device can send, receive, and display messages with up to 160 characters in Roman text and variations for non-Roman character sets using the short messaging service (SMS), a feature created as part of the GSM standard.
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
People commonly use the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) to send and receive multimedia messages over cellular networks to and from mobile devices.
Value-added services (Voicemail, Call Forwarding, etc.)
In the telecommunications sector, they refer to all services other than regular voice conversations and fax transfers as value-added services (VAS), in simple terms, non-core services.
Conclusion
SIM full form is the subscriber identification module. SIM cards make it easy to receive calls and texts or connect to the internet. Additionally, they enable you to roam abroad and connect to other networks without purchasing a new phone or provider. IoT devices use IoT SIM cards, often M2M SIM Cards, to identify themselves when connecting to a 2G, 3G, 4G-LTE, Cat-M, NB-IoT, or 5G wireless cellular network.
Learn more about some other full forms:
| RAM Full Form | ROM Full Form | SSD Full Form |
| HDD Full Form | USB Full Form | ALU Full Form |
| PCB Full Form | MCB Full Form | CPU Full Form |
| CRT Full Form | LCD Full Form | LED Full Form |
SIM Full Form: FAQs
What is SIM full form?
The SIM full form is the subscriber identification module.
Can I transfer my SIM to another mobile phone?
Yes. If the mobile phone is unlocked, you won’t encounter any issues using your SIM card on a new device
What information is kept on a SIM card?
An internationally unique serial number, mobile phone number, and cellular service provider are all on SIM cards.
Can I still use my phone without a SIM card?
Partially. You can use the internet by connecting with a Wi-Fi network, but you won’t be able to call or text someone.
What function does a SIM card serve?
You can compare the international mobile subscriber identification, or IMSI, found on a SIM card to your contract with your cell operator to enable the services.
Got a question on this topic?