This basic presentation / video looks at SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, its evolution and what is the relation between SIM and UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). It also explains different form factors like 2FF, 3FF, 4FF and MFF2 and UICC contents briefly. Finally, we look at embedded SIM (eSIM), integrated SIM (iSIM), eUICC Profiles and profile switching via remote provisioning functions. All our #3G4G5G slides and videos are available at: Videos: https://www.youtube.com/3G4G5G Slides: https://www.slideshare.net/3G4GLtd 5G Page: https://www.3g4g.co.uk/5G/ Free TrainingVideos: https://www.3g4g.co.uk/Training/

1. UICC & SIM
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2. Different Size of SIM Cards
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• SIM stands Subscriber Identity Module
• Most people do not know that once upon a time the SIM cards were
the size of credit cards, we called them just SIM
• Since then they have evolved to Mini, Micro and Nano SIMs
• They are evolving further into embedded SIM (eSIM) and integrated
SIM (iSIM)

3. Multi-SIM Cards
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4. Form factors innovation enabling new devices
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SIM eSIM iSIM
MiniSIM MicroSIM Nano SIM eSIM New iSIM
25 x15mm 15 x12mm 12.3 x8.8mm Packages Fraction ofmm2
1996 2003 2012 <2 mm2
2016
Running on SoC
SecureEnclave
(2FF) (3FF) (4FF) (MFF2)

5. Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC)
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• The SIM card that you see is actually UICC that can run different applications
• Example applications shown here are 2G SIM, USIM and IMS SIM

6. UICC Contents and Security
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• Identity
• MSISDN number
• Authentication Data
• Security Keys
• Profiles
• Operator Info
• …
USIM
UICC UE or ME
3GPP TS 31.101 – picture source Tech-Invite

7. eSIM: Embedded SIM (eUICC)
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• An eSIM can come in all modern form factors such as 2FF, 3FF, 4FF, and
also MFF2.
Source: 1oT

8. What are eSIMs?
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• eSIMs are physical SIMs that are soldered into the device and enable
storage and remote management of multiple network operator profiles
(remote SIM provisioning).
SIM eSIM iSIM
MiniSIM MicroSIM Nano SIM eSIM New iSIM
25 x15mm 15 x12mm 12.3 x8.8mm Packages Fraction ofmm2
1996 2003 2012 <2 mm2
2016
Running on SoC
SecureEnclave
Source: Arm

9. What are iSIMs?
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• The integrated SIM (iSIM) moves the SIM from a separate chip into a
secure enclave alongside the application processor and cellular radio
on a purpose-built system on a chip (SoC).
SIM eSIM iSIM
MiniSIM MicroSIM Nano SIM eSIM New iSIM
25 x15mm 15 x12mm 12.3 x8.8mm Packages Fraction ofmm2
1996 2003 2012 <2 mm2
2016
Running on SoC
SecureEnclave
Source: Arm

10. eUICC Profiles
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Source: NTT Docomo Technical Journal (see References)

11. eUICC Profile Switching
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Source: NTT Docomo Technical Journal (see References)

12. References & Further Reading
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• Arm: The Challenges Deploying IoT (link)
• Arm Special Edition: eSIM & iSIM for Dummies (link)
• Arm Blog: SIM, eSIM, iSIM. What’s the Difference? (link)
• River Publishers: USIM in 5G Era (link)
• Nordic Semiconductor: The Difference Between SIM, eSIM & iSIM (link)
• 1oT: Differences between SIM types - which SIM to choose? (link)
• 1oT: The differences between consumer eSIM & M2M eSIM (link)
• The 3G4G Blog: UICC and ISIM (IMS SIM) (link)
• The 3G4G Blog: M2M embedded UICC (eSIM) Architecture and Use Cases (link)
• The 3G4G Blog - Multi-SIM: The Jargon (link)
• NTT Docomo: Building of GSMA3.1-compliant eSIM Commercial System for IoT/M2M through
partnership between operators (link)
• NTT Docomo: Standardization of Embedded UICC Remote Provisioning (link)
• GSMA: eSIM Whitepaper (link)
• The Register: SIM swiped from slain stork's GPS tracker used to rack up $2,700 phone bill (link)

13. Thank You
To learn more, visit:
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Telecoms Infrastructure Blog – https://www.telecomsinfrastructure.com/
Operator Watch Blog – https://www.operatorwatch.com/
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