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8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
1/12
ow a Sim Card work
A subscrib
an integrated circuit that securely
related key used to identify and a
as mobile phones and computers ).
A SIM circuit is embedded into a r
can be transferred between differ
card standards .[1] SIM cards were
0.76 mm). The development of ph
smaller SIM cards where the qua
A SIM card contains its unique se
security authentication and cipheri
a list of the services the user has
number (PIN) for ordinary use an
HistoryThe SIM was initially specified by
specification with the number TS
behavior of the SIM. With the dev
ow a Sim Card work
r identity module or subscriber identification
stores the international mobile subscriber identity
thenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devic
.
emovable plastic card. This plastic card is called
nt mobile devices. A SIM card follows certain sm
first made the same size as a credit card (85.60
ysically smaller mobile devices prompted the dev
tity of card surrounding the integrated circuit is re
ial number ( ICCID ), international mobile subscrib
ing information, temporary information related to t
ccess to and two passwords: a personal identific
a personal unblocking code (PUK) for PIN unloc
the European Telecommunications Standards Ins
1.11. This specification describes the physical a
lopment of UMTS the specification work was par
module (SIM) is
(IMSI) and the
es (such
"SIM card" and
art
m 53.98 mm
elopment of
duced.
er identity (IMSI),
he local network,
tion
king.
titute in the
d logical
tially transferred
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identification_numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_mobile_subscriber_identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICCIDhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identification_numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_unblocking_codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Telecommunications_Standards_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identification_numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Telecommunications_Standards_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Telecommunications_Standards_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_unblocking_codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identification_numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identification_numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICCIDhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_mobile_subscriber_identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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to 3GPP . 3GPP is now responsibl
and USIM (TS 31.102) and ETSI f
The first SIM card was made in 1
the first 300 SIM cards to the Finn
Design
SIM chip structure and packaging
There are three operating voltage
and C, respectively). The operatin
V. SIM cards produced subseque
V and 1.8 V.
Modern SIM cards allow applicati
applications communicate with th
initially specified by 3GPP in TS 1
numbering). ETSI and 3GPP mai
102 223, ETSI TS 102 241, ETSI
initially written in native code usin
applications, Java Card was take
specifications of interest are main
DataSIM cards store network-specific i
network. The most important of th
Identity (LAI) and Operator-Specif
data such as the SMSC (Short MService Dialing Numbers (SDN),
applications. (Refer to GSM 11.11
SIM cards can come in various da
of 250 contacts to be stored on th
Codes (MNCs) or "network identifi
e for the further development of applications like
or the further development of the physical card UI
91 by Munich smart-card maker Giesecke & Dev
ish wireless network operator Radiolinja .[2][3]
s for SIM cards: 5 V, 3 V and 1.8 V ( ISO/IEC 781
g voltage of the majority of SIM cards launched b
tly are compatible with 3 V and 5 V. Modern car
ns to be loaded when the SIM is in use by the su
handset or a server using SIM application toolkit
1.14 (there is an identical ETSI specification with
tain the SIM specifications; the main specificatio
S 102 588, and ETSI TS 131 111. SIM toolkit a
proprietary APIs. In order to allow interoperabilit
as the solution of choice by ETSI [ Additional stan
ained by Global Platform.
nformation used to authenticate and identify subs
ese are the ICCID, IMSI, Authentication Key ( Ki),
ic Emergency Number. The SIM also stores othe
ssage Service Center) number, Service Providerdvice-Of-Charge parameters and Value Added
.)
ta capacities, from 32 KB to at least 128 KB. All
e SIM, but while the 32 KB has room for 33 Mobile
iers", the 64 KB version has room for 80 MNCs. T
IM (TS 51.011)
ICC .
rient , who sold
-3 classes A, B
efore 1998 was 5
s support 5 V, 3
bscriber. These
, which was
different
s are: ETSI TS
plications were
y of the
dards and
cribers on the
Local Area
carrier-specific
Name (SPN),ervice (VAS)
llow a maximum
Network
his is used by
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3GPPhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UICChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giesecke_%26_Devrienthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiolinjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiolinjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7816http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UICChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giesecke_%26_Devrienthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Cardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7816http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Smartcard_chip_structure_and_packaging_EN.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiolinjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giesecke_%26_Devrienthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UICChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3GPP8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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network operators to store information on preferred networks, mostly used when the SIM is not in its
home network but is roaming . The network operator that issued the SIM card can use this to have a
phone connect to a preferred network, in order to make use of the best price and/or quality network
instead of having to pay the network operator that the phone 'saw' first. This does not mean that a
phone containing this SIM card can connect to a maximum of only 33 or 80 networks, but it meansthat the SIM card issuer can specify only up to that number of preferred networks; if a SIM is outside
these preferred networks it will use the first or best available network.
ICCID
Each SIM is internationally identified by its integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID). ICCIDs are
stored in the SIM cards and are also engraved or printed on the SIM card body during a process
called personalization. The ICCID is defined by the ITU-T recommendation E.118 as the Primary
Account Number . Its layout is based on ISO/IEC 7812 . According to E.118, the number is up to 22
digits long, including a single check digit calculated using the Luhn algorithm . However, the GSM
Phase 1 defined the ICCID length as 10 octets (20 digits) with operator-specific structure.
The number is composed of the following subparts:
Issuer identification number (IIN)
Maximum of seven digits:
Major industry identifier (MII), 2 fixed digits, 89 for telecommunication purposes.
Country code , 13 digits, as defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164 .
Issuer identifier, 14 digits.
Individual account identification
Individual account identification number. Its length is variable, but every number under one IIN
will have the same length.
Check digit
Single digit calculated from the other digits using the Luhn algorithm .
With the GSM Phase 1 specification using 10 octets into which ICCID is stored as packed BCD, the
data field has room for 20 digits with hexadecimal digit "F" being used as filler when necessary.
In practice, this means that on GSM SIM cards there are 20-digit (19+1) and 19-digit (18+1) ICCIDs
in use, depending upon the issuer. However, a single issuer always uses the same size for its
ICCIDs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7812http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhn_algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_country_calling_codeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU-Thttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU-Thttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhn_algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet_(computing)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet_(computing)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhn_algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.164http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU-Thttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_country_calling_codeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhn_algorithmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7812http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaming8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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To confuse matters more, SIM factories seem to have varying ways of delivering electronic copies of
SIM personalization datasets. Some datasets are without the ICCID checksum digit, others are with
the digit.
As required by E.118, The ITU regularly publishes a list of all internationally assigned IIN codes in its
Operational Bulletins. The most recent list, as of November 2013, is in Operational Bulletin No. 1040 .
International mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)
SIM cards are identified on their individual operator networks by a unique International Mobile
Subscriber Identity (IMSI). Mobile network operators connect mobile phone calls and communicate
with their market SIM cards using their IMSIs. The format is:
The first three digits represent the Mobile Country Code (MCC).
The next two or three digits represent the Mobile Network Code (MNC). Three-digit MNC codes
are allowed by E.212 but are mainly used in the United States and Canada. The next digits represent the Mobile Subscriber Identification Number ( MSIN ). Normally there
will be 10 digits but would be fewer in the case of a 3-digit MNC or if national regulations indicate
that the total length of the IMSI should be less than 15 digits.
Digits are different from country to country.
Authentication key (K i)
The Kn i is a 128-bit value used in authenticating the SIMs on the mobile network. Each SIM holds a
unique K i assigned to it by the operator during the personalization process. The K i is also stored in a
database (termed authentication center or AuC) on the carrier's network.
The SIM card is designed not to allow the K i to be obtained using the smart-card interface . Instead,
the SIM card provides a function, Run GSM Algorithm , that allows the phone to pass data to the SIM
card to be signed with the K i. This, by design, makes usage of the SIM card mandatory unless the
Ki can be extracted from the SIM card, or the carrier is willing to reveal the K i. In practice, the GSM
cryptographic algorithm for computing SRES_2 (see step 4, below) from the K i has certain
vulnerabilities [6] that can allow the extraction of the K i from a SIM card and the making of a duplicate
SIM card .
Authentication process:
1. When the Mobile Equipment starts up, it obtains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(IMSI) from the SIM card, and passes this to the mobile operator requesting access and
authentication. The Mobile Equipment may have to pass a PIN to the SIM card before the
SIM card will reveal this information.
2. The operator network searches its database for the incoming IMSI and its associated K i.
http://www.itu.int/pub/T-SP-OB.1040-2013http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Subscriber_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Subscriber_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_operatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_operatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Country_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Country_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSINhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switching_subsystemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(U)SIM_Interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_cloninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_cloninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_cloninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_cloninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_modulehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(U)SIM_Interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switching_subsystemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSINhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Country_Codehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_operatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Subscriber_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Subscriber_Identityhttp://www.itu.int/pub/T-SP-OB.1040-20138/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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3. The operator network the
signs it with the K i associ
number known as Signed
4. The operator network the
SIM card. The SIM card sEquipment along with en
operator network.
5. The operator network the
the Mobile Equipment ret
Mobile Equipment is gran
further communications b
Location area identity (L
The SIM stores network state info
Operator networks are divided int
SIM and sends it back to the oper
will take data off the SIM, and sea
generates a Random Number (RAND, which is
ted with the IMSI (and stored on the SIM card), c
Response 1 (SRES_1).
sends the RAND to the Mobile Equipment, whic
igns it with its K i, producing SRES_2, which it givryption key K c. The Mobile Equipment passes SR
compares its computed SRES_1 with the compu
rned. If the two numbers match, the SIM is auth
ted access to the operator's network. K c is used t
etween the Mobile Equipment and the network.
AI)
rmation, which is received from the Location Area
Location Areas, each having a unique LAI num
When the device changes locations, it stores the
ator network with its new location. If the device is
rch for the prior LAI.
nonce ) and
omputing another
passes it to the
s to the MobileES_2 on to the
ted SRES_2 that
nticated and the
encrypt all
Identity (LAI).
er.
new LAI to the
power cycled, it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_Area_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptographic_noncehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_Area_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_Area_Identityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptographic_nonce8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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SMS messages and co
of SMS messages and phone boo
pairs: entries containing multiple
stored on the SIM card. When a u
break them up into multiple entrie
number of contacts and message
five messages and 20 contacts w
Formats [edit ]
Full-size SIM (1FF), mini-SIM (2FF), mi
tacts
Most SIM cards will orthogonally
k contacts. The contacts are stored in simple "na
hone numbers and additional phone numbers wil
ser tries to copy such entries to a SIM the hands
, discarding any information that is not a phone n
stored depends on the SIM; early models would
ile modern SIM cards can usually store over 250
cro-SIM (3FF) and nano-SIM (4FF)
store a number
e and number"
l usually not be
t's software will
umber. The
store as few as
contacts
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Subscriber_identity_module&action=edit§ion=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GSM_SIM_card_evolution.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Subscriber_identity_module&action=edit§ion=98/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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Micro-SIM (from bottom) with mini-SIM and full SIM brackets from Telia in Sweden
The memory film from a micro SIM card without the plastic backing plate, next to a US dime , which is approx. 18 mm
in diameter.
Embedded SIM from M2M supplier Eseye with an adapter board for evaluation in a Mini-SIM socket
SIM cards have been made smaller over the years; functionality is independent of format. Full-size
SIMs were followed by mini-SIMs, micro-SIMs, and nano-SIMs. SIMs are also made to be
embedded in devices.
SIM card sizes
SIM card Introduced Standard referenceLength
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Thickness
(mm)
Volume
(mm 3)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dime_(United_States_coin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dime_(United_States_coin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dime_(United_States_coin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Disassembled_SIM_Card_Film.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Telia_micro_SIM_with_brackets.jpg8/10/2019 ABOUT SIM CARD.pdf
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Full-size
(1FF)1991
ISO/I
1
Mini-SIM
(2FF)circa 1996
ISO/I
000
Micro-SIM
(3FF)2003
ETSI
V9.0.
Nano-SIM
(4FF)early 2012
ETSI
V11.0.
Embedded-
SIM
JEDE
4.8, S
Full-size SIM
The full-size SIM
the size of a credit card (85.60 m
Mini-SIM
The mini-SIM (or 2FF) card has th
normally supplied within a full-siz
arrangement (defined in ISO/IECrequiring a full-size card, or in a d
C 7810 :2003, ID-85.60 53.98
C 7810:2003, ID-25.00 15.00
S 102 221
, Mini-UICC15.00 12.00
S 102 221
.012.30 8.80
Design Guide
N-86.00 5.00
(or 1FF, 1st form factor) was the first form factor t
53.98 mm 0.76 mm).
e same contact arrangement as the full-size SIM
card carrier, attached by a number of linking pie
7810 as ID-1/000 ) allows such a card to be used ivice requiring a mini-SIM card after breaking the
0.76 3511.72
0.76 285.00
0.76 136.80
0.67 72.52
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the previous format to the contact area while maintaining the existing contact arrangements. A
small rim of isolating material is left around the contact area to avoid short circuits with the
socket. The 0.67 mm thickness of the NANOSIM is about 12% less than the 0.76 mm of its
predecessor. 4FF can be put into adapters for use with devices taking 2FF or 3FF
SIMs. The iPhone 5 , released in September 2012, was the first device to use a nano-SIM card.Embedded-SIM / Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card(eUICC)
SIMs for M2M applications are available in a surface mount SON-8
package which may be soldered directly onto a circuit board.
The surface mount format provides the same electrical interface as the full size, 2FF and 3FF
SIM cards, but is soldered to the circuit board as part of the manufacturing process.
In M2M applications where there is no requirement to change the SIM card, this avoids the
requirement for a connector, improving reliability and security. GSMA has been discussing thepossibilities of a software based SIM card since 2010. [14] While Motorola noted that eUICC is
geared at industrial devices, Apple "disagreed that there is any statement forbidding the use of
an embedded UICC in a consumer product." in 2012, [15] The European Commission has selected
the Embedded UICC format for its in-vehicle emergency call service know as eCall . All new car
models in the EU will need to have one by 2015 to instantly connect the car to the emergency
services in case of an accident. In Russia there is a similar plan with the ERA GLONASS
regional satellite positioning system and in Brazil with the SIMRAV anti-theft system. [16]
SecurityIn July 2013, it was revealed that Karsten Nohl, a cryptographer and
security researcher from SR Labs had discovered vulnerabilities in some SIM cards that enabled
them to be hacked to provide root access . The cards affected use the Data Encryption
Standard (DES) which, despite its age, is still used by some operators. [19] Cards using the more
recent Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Triple DES standards are not affected. [19] Among
other risks, the hack could lead to the phone being remotely cloned or allow payment credentials
from the SIM to be stolen. [19] Further details of the research were to be given at BlackHat on July
31, 2013.
In response, the International Telecommunication Union said that the development was "hugely
significant" and that it would be contacting its members.
DevelopmentsWhen GSM was already in use, the specifications were further developed and enhanced with
functionality l ike SMS , GPRS , etc. These development steps are referred as releases by ETSI.
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Within these development cycles, the SIM specification was enhanced as well: new voltage
classes, formats and files were introduced. In GSM-only times, the SIM consisted of the
hardware and the software. With the advent of UMTS this naming was split: the SIM was now an
application and hence only software. The hardware part was called UICC. This split was
necessary because UMTS introduced a new application, the Universal Subscriber IdentityModule (USIM). The USIM brought, among other things, security improvements like the mutual
authentication and longer encryption keys and an improved address book.
"SIM cards" in developed countries are today usually UICCs containing at least a SIM and a
USIM application. This configuration is necessary because older GSM only handsets are solely
compatible with the SIM [application] and some UMTS security enhancements do rely on the
USIM [application].
The equivalent of SIM on CDMA networks is the R-UIM (and the equivalent of USIM is CSIM ).
A virtual SIM is a mobile phone number provided by a mobile network operator that does notrequire a SIM card to connect phone calls to a user's mobile phone.
Usage in mobile phone standardsThe use of SIM cards is mandatory in GSM devices.
The satellite
phone networks Iridium , Thuraya and Inmarsat 's BGAN also use SIM cards. Sometimes, these
SIM cards work in regular GSM phones and also allow GSM customers to roam in satellite
networks by using their own SIM card in a satellite phone.
Japan's 2G PDC system (which was shut down in 2012; SoftBank Mobile has already shut down
PDC from March 31, 2010) also specifies a SIM, but this has never been implemented
commercially. The specification of the interface between the Mobile Equipment and the SIM is
given in the RCR STD-27 annex 4. The Subscriber Identity Module Expert Group was a
committee of specialists assembled by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute
(ETSI) to draw up the specifications ( GSM 11.11) for interfacing between smart cards and
mobile telephones. In 1994, the name SIMEG was changed to SMG9.
Japan's current and next generation cellular systems are based on W-CDMA
(UMTS) and CDMA2000 and all use SIM cards. However, Japanese CDMA2000-based phonesare locked to the R-UIM they are associated with and thus, the cards are not interchangeable
with other Japanese CDMA2000 handsets (though they may be inserted into GSM/WCDMA
handsets for roaming purposes outside Japan).
CDMA -based devices originally did not use a removable card, and the service for these phones
bound to a unique identifier contained in the handset itself. This is most prevalent in operators in
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the Americas. The first publication of the TIA-820 standard (also known as 3GPP2 C.S0023) in
2000 defined the Removable User Identity Module ( R-UIM). Card-based CDMA devices are
most prevalent in Asia.
The equivalent of a SIM in UMTS is called the Universal Integrated Circuit Card ( UICC ), which
runs a USIM application. The UICC is still colloquially called a SIM card
SIM and carriersThe SIM card introduced a new and significant business opportunity for MVNOs mobile virtual
network operators who lease capacity from one of the network operators rather than owning
or operating a cellular telecoms network, and only provide a SIM card to their customers.
MVNOs first appeared in Denmark, Hong Kong, Finland and the UK. Today they exist in over 50
countries, including most of Europe, United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and parts of Asia,
and account for approximately 10% of all mobile phone subscribers around the world.
On some networks, the mobile phone is locked to its carrier SIM card , meaning that the phone
only works with SIM cards from the specific carrier. This is more common in markets where
mobile phones are heavily subsidized by the carriers, and the business model depends on the
customer staying with the service provider for a minimum term (typically 12 or 24 months). SIM
cards that are issued by providers with an associated contract are called Sim only deals.
Common examples are the GSM networks in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK and
Poland. Many businesses offer the ability to remove the SIM lock from a phone, effectively
making it possible to then use the phone on any network by inserting a different SIM card.
Mostly, GSM and 3G mobile handsets can easily be unlocked and used on any suitable networkwith any SIM card.
In countries where the phones are not subsidised, e.g. , India, Israel and Belgium, all phones are
unlocked. Where the phone is not locked to its SIM card, the users can easily switch networks
by simply replacing the SIM card of one network with that of another while using only one phone.
This is typical, for example, among users who may want to optimise their carrier's traffic by
different tariffs to different friends on different networks, or when traveling internationally