Semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., on Tuesday, announced that it has collaborated with Vodafone and Thales to demonstrate a working smartphone featuring iSIM technology, which aids the functionality of a SIM card to be blended into the main processor of a device.
This ground-breaking move “paves the way for commercialisation of the technology, which could be rolled out in a host of new devices that will use iSIM to connect to mobile services.”
A proof of concept (POC) demonstration was recently carried out in Samsung’s R&D labs in Europe using Vodafone’s advanced remote management platform. This proof of concept showed the technology’s commercial readiness and efficiency working on existing infrastructure, leveraging Vodafone’s advanced network capabilities.
The fully operational proof of concept device used on Vodafone’s network was based on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G powered by a Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, which features a built-in Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit running the Thales iSIM operating system.
“Our aim is to create a world where every device connects seamlessly and simply to each other, and the customer has complete control. The iSIM, combined with our remote management platform, is a major step in this direction, allowing devices to be connected without a physical SIM or dedicated chip, making connectivity to many objects – the promise of the connected IoT world – a reality,” Alex Froment-Curtil, chief commercial officer, Vodafone, said.
“It will enable our customers to enjoy the ease of multiple accounts on one device, while from an operator’s point of view, help eliminate the need for separate SIM cards and the additional plastic this consumes. We will continue working closely with Qualcomm Technologies and Thales to evolve further applications for this technology and accelerate its commercialisation.”
The iSIM, which complies with GSMA criteria (based on the ieUICC[1] GSMA specification), embeds the SIM functionality into the main processor of the device, allowing for greater system integration, higher performance, and increased memory capacity. While ‘eSIMs’ requires a separate chip, iSIM eliminates the need for dedicated space assigned to SIM services making it no longer necessary.
“iSIM solutions offer great opportunities to MNOs, free-up valuable space in devices for OEMs, and provide flexibility for device users to benefit from the full potential of 5G networks and experiences across a wide range of device categories. Some of the areas that will benefit most from iSIM technology include smartphones, mobile PCs, VR/XR headsets, and industrial IoT. By engineering the iSIM technology into the SoC, we are able to create additional support for OEMs in our Snapdragon platform,” Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President And President, Europe/MEA, Qualcomm Europe, Inc., said.
The iSIM technology is a significant evolution on existing eSIM solutions and delivers wholesale benefits to both consumers and telecommunications operators, further paving the way for mobile services to be integrated into devices beyond the mobile phone, taking the mobile experience to laptops, tablets virtual reality platforms, IoT devices, wearables, and more.
The iSIM integrated into the application processor of the device brings multiple benefits:
- Simplifies and enhances device design and performance by releasing space previously occupied within a device
- Consolidates the SIM functionality into the device’s main chipset alongside other critical capabilities such as GPU, CPU, and modem
- Enables remote SIM provisioning by the operator leveraging the existing eSIM infrastructure
- Opens mobile service connection capabilities to a host of devices that previously could not have SIM capabilities built-in
“With new types of networks and devices rolling out, innovation in SIM technology is essential to best serve the connected world. The iSIM supports new device design and manufacture while providing the same digital experience as the eSIM, and certified security levels. Thales is committed to on-going innovating with our partners to provide the best connectivity experience,” Emmanuel Unguran, Senior Vice President Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales, said.
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