What's an eSIM, how it works and why it's important to you

15 October 2017
The Google Pixel 2 is one of the first phones to launch with an eSIM. We take a look at the latest revolution in the world of the ubiquitous SIM card and why you should care?

Sort by:

  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • KLT
  • 15 Oct 2017

AnonD-424383, 15 Oct 2017this is exactly what i always think about. eSIM should be o... morefor some eSIM unpractical...

My family have several other neighboring country sim card that we visit a lot, and we (me, dad, mom, sister, brother) use it when we go to that neighboring country. How can I give my family that SIM if this is eSIM.

It is very common in asia to borrow other family member oversees sim card. Ex. Malaysia & Singapore were neighboring country. So, lots of Singaporean own malaysia sim card (and vice versa). And when a family member of those singaporean who own Malaysia sim card want to go to Malaysia, they will borrow the sim card.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • KLT
    • 15 Oct 2017

    Welcome to the past where changing a number/carrier is a mess. (Anybody remember CDMA???).

    I don't want to pay roaming fee when i travel so I buy local sim card. How can I do that with eSIM.

    eSIM = Dark ages of mobile

      • O
      • Omi
      • pax
      • 15 Oct 2017

      Bewildered , 15 Oct 2017First Imo There still will be dual sim phones so there w... moreWhat? I'm agree with Zoser. There are security concerns. I don't see that as simple. Your eSIM should uniquely identify you internationally and if you want that system to be standard, phones with physical SIM will tend to disappear.

      The problem is that for the system to work, your eSIM must be available to all operators worldwide that you may require to use if you travel in order to accept you on the network. And it is well known that there are many developed countries whose governments control as much as possible their citizens, including their communications by law.

      Now imagine how happy they would be if the operators of those countries, who must share all the information they demand, have access to the personal information of all people worldwide and especially their political rivals thanks to the eSIM card system .

        • K
        • Kangal
        • uCX
        • 15 Oct 2017

        The benefits of eSIM are greatly exaggerated.

        What I see happening is people getting more confused on what to do with their new phones and trying to activate them. And when people finish their 2 year contracts, I can see carriers taking advantage of citizens by locking their devices. Even if the contract is paid, they will force people to pay for an "unlocking fee" and once paid, they will take their sweet time to unlock devices. These unethical practices will get accepted by the masses who act like sheep, and the industry will become more locked-down and controlled, with less freedoms for honest-paying people.

        It's what's happened to sealed phones without removable batteries, basically getting made into disposable commodity (despite ever increasing prices).
        It's what's happened to microSD slots, as manufacturers remove them, and force you to overspend to get the amount of internal storage that you need.
        And it's what's happening to aux port, as manufacturers push for headphone compatibility that can be controlled via the digital port or through Bluetooth connection.

        Compare the LG V20 with the Pixel XL2, for instance.

        It's simply less standards and freedoms for the people, and newer push for form over function under the guise of "smart" things and clever marketing.

          • V
          • Venkat
          • D0e
          • 15 Oct 2017

          Dual sim available? On Esim?

            If they want widespread use, as many countries will not adopt one, there should be a system that allows reading a plain SIM card then make it appear it is installed in a phone.
            that card reader will brought when a person travels to a country which doesn't support eSIM system.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • JEE
              • 15 Oct 2017

              This is why I think eSIMs were conceived:

              https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/19/nsa-gchq-sim-card-billions-cellphones-hacking

                • s
                • sumdumguy
                • nx9
                • 15 Oct 2017

                Do you think the eSIM will allow two phone numbers to be active at the same time? Like dual SIM phones do...

                  • B
                  • Bewildered
                  • 3Jn
                  • 15 Oct 2017

                  Zoser, 15 Oct 2017In any case, they will have to find safe and practical ways... moreFirst Imo
                  There still will be dual sim phones so there will be dual standby and dual active phones
                  TWO cell phone numbers

                  Then there will be the traditional single sim phone, so you go on holiday and to avoid roaming charges you use a local sim card

                  Same thing instead of switching sim cards, the easiest way is to log onto holidays network and ad long as your phone us not lost or stolen (eg Clean IMEI) your phone can accept the new holiday number you top up electronically

                  You real number is temporarily deactivated just like removing a physical sim

                  Why is this good for GSM
                  In the USA the other technology is CDMA phones which don't use sim card, Verizon Sprint.
                  You activate the phone so providing it is not lost or stolen you can switch networks

                  Security
                  Because there is no physical card, it affords a very high level of security

                  If a phone is stolen all a thief has to do is swap sim cards, with an esim they cant
                  The other thing is location relies the phone being BOTH on and connected to the network

                  If a thief can change the sim card as it can't be re registered it has to be turned off in order not to be located

                  Say your phone is stolen from home whilst you were on holiday, all the Police have to do us see who has re registered the phone and what numbers were called, but it may be unlikely that will be necessary security would require actual ID

                  Apple and Microsoft have reset Protection this stops the phone being used for call, location if the lost phone is made easier if they can't just change sim cards

                  A stolen phone is no good if it has to be switched off
                  FINALLY there is no reason why esims can't be worldwide

                    For ultra convenience to users, should simply allow basic ID plus pw logging in the network. much like logging in the email service, online bank account. with this way, changing phone everyday would be a fun. depends on the need, the activities in the hour. esim is a step toward this direction, but not the same thing yet. with esim, the need for multi sim tray can be dropped.

                    But, for security concern, a physical device is needed. the sim, is an device allows the network operator easier identify a user, less tricking can be done. the sim card is the most basic ID, on top of this, many other online activities are done.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-625430
                      • gNS
                      • 15 Oct 2017

                      Phones with eSIM is good only if it can enable more than 2 cellular phone numbers of different carriers or network providers to be used simultaneously, like Dual SIM functionality. It should also include a few handy options like backing up data to migrate to another phone with an eSIM built in and an option to clear all the data by yourself or remotely in case you want to sell your phone or in case, it's lost or stolen. This requires an universal approach from the manufacturers and carriers/network providers/telecom industry for the technology to take off. Otherwise, it's just useless in my opinion. Phones aren't getting any slimmer anyway, we aren't seeing 1 mm slim phones even after the removal of 3.5mm Jack.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • ELT
                        • 15 Oct 2017

                        Too small, outcome: annoying+disturbing! Not good

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • R5f
                          • 15 Oct 2017

                          Microsoft was also working on esim as a way to have connected PCs or connected devices(all running windows core). If Surface Phone gets released it would come with esim. Still waiting...

                            • N
                            • Nokia fan boy
                            • YUT
                            • 15 Oct 2017

                            I guess that the Esim is going to be a 5G sim card soon.

                              • w
                              • wqcr
                              • MNx
                              • 15 Oct 2017

                              This brings to light many security concerns...

                                • D
                                • AnonD-441601
                                • SH3
                                • 15 Oct 2017

                                Anonymous, 15 Oct 2017„given the time it will take manufacturers to include eSIM'... moreFrom like may 2012 it was micro USB. And as european union said all charging cables should be unified but they wont. Apple still have own because apple thinks he is something special. Now we have USB-C wich will be unified for all devices until something really cool and new arises. But apple will still have own no matter the rest of the world use USB-C.
                                Its same with the E-Sim.
                                Its a great idea but when you loose your unified number or get stolen someone will gain acces to your phone your contacts and probbaly will revrite it to make it your own.
                                They you get a bill big enough to buy a house and someone will be very happy for a good joke and the other person will have eyes for tears.
                                No matter how good this will be or it sounds there will always be one certain word wjhich gives a lot of questions. (BUT)

                                  • T
                                  • Thapelo(SouthAfrica)
                                  • rj7
                                  • 15 Oct 2017

                                  Great article!!, very excited to see what this new technology has to offer especially with 'The Internet of Things'.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 043
                                    • 15 Oct 2017

                                    „given the time it will take manufacturers to include eSIM's as standard“ See USB C

                                      And sooner or later skynet will rule the world, the mark of the beast is coming to a close.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 043
                                        • 15 Oct 2017

                                        If I have 2 phones I usually switch back and forth, will it still work würg eSIM?