As smartphone connectivity reaches new heights, the e-SIM gains popularity, but it comes with risks, as I discovered when I activated my new iPhone 15 unexpectedly
An astonishing occurrence took place during my transition to an iPhone 15 Pro: my physical SIM card essentially vanished, replaced by a fully digital e-SIM. I hold myself partly responsible, but Apple bears a larger share of the blame. While transferring my data from my previous iPhone, I was prompted with a question about migrating my phone number. Naturally, I agreed, only to find my new iPhone fully connected within minutes, while my old phone lost its mobile signal and my physical SIM card became entirely obsolete.
I can’t claim complete ignorance on the matter. I had heard stories of friends compelled to switch to e-SIM when purchasing a US version of the iPhone 14, which lacked a SIM slot. However, iPhones sold outside the US still accommodated physical SIM cards – a detail I had intended to retain for the sake of convenience.
E-SIMs come with several advantages: they create additional room in smartphones and wearables for larger batteries, they are instantly accessible, they are impervious to physical damage, and they contribute to waste reduction. However, the primary drawback lies in the somewhat intricate process of setting up and transferring e-SIMs, which may entail QR codes, specialized apps, or, at times, contacting your service provider. When dealing with something as personal as your phone number, which is integral to your online security, the perceived loss of control can be disconcerting, even though traditional SIM cards have always been subject to provider control.
However, major operators such as EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2 may not necessarily welcome the rise of e-SIMs. During a trip to Japan earlier this year, I opted for a cost-effective 10GB e-SIM from Ubigi for £11.70, rather than investing in an expensive international roaming plan. Thanks to the ability to purchase and activate it before leaving the UK, I had immediate access to data upon landing. While it’s possible to obtain a local SIM card in Japan or rent a portable Wi-Fi router, the convenience of prearranging everything outweighs the hassle of dealing with it while jet-lagged after a long flight.
The most recent Google Pixels and iPhones now offer dual e-SIM support, enabling users to have two active phone numbers, each with its own data plan. It’s evident that savvy users could potentially switch between the most cost-effective e-SIM plans even more frequently than they do now, posing a challenge to the established operators’ profitability. In practice, the setup process remains somewhat complex, but a software update could simplify it or even incorporate the purchase process directly into iOS or Android. In fact, last year, Ofcom speculated that e-SIMs might encourage major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon to provide mobile network services directly to users on a larger scale, surpassing even Google’s existing Fi Wireless service in the US.
While the prospect of seizing a share of the considerable earnings amassed by mobile operators may be enticing for big tech companies, it comes with its own set of challenges. Phone manufacturers benefit from mobile operators promoting their products and encouraging device upgrades. They may not desire the complexities associated with taking on mobile service provision responsibilities, even if they were to function as a Mobile Network Virtual Operator (MVNO) that doesn’t possess network infrastructure or wireless spectrum.
However, there are exciting developments on the horizon in terms of smartphone connectivity. Apple, for instance, recently introduced Emergency SOS, allowing users to send text messages directly to emergency services via satellite. Moreover, last month, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile made the claim of achieving the world’s first space-based 5G voice call between a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone and the BlueWalker 3 test satellite.
This technological feat is partially enabled by BlueWalker’s advanced phased array technology, but its sheer size, measuring 64 square meters, makes it the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit and one of the most prominent objects in the night sky. This has raised concerns among astronomers worldwide. AST SpaceMobile intends to launch an additional 90 satellites to expand its 5G service. Additionally, SpaceX’s contentious Starlink, spearheaded by Elon Musk, plans to offer similar services with a new iteration of its ubiquitous satellites.
Beyond exacerbating light pollution concerns, the ultimate objective is to deliver comprehensive global mobile service without the need for constructing cell towers in sparsely inhabited regions or requiring everyone to purchase new devices. Presently, satellite firms are forming partnerships with established mobile operators. However, considering Apple’s entry into the arena and the watchful gaze of other major tech players, it wouldn’t be astonishing if mobile operators eventually find themselves trailing, unless regulatory and political entities raise objections.
Even with cell towers in space, the necessity for e-SIMs or a similar technology remains unchanged. Their purpose is evident in their name: Subscriber Identity Module. These components play a crucial role in securely identifying your account to wireless networks and, assuming your account is in good standing, permitting your device to access data. Whether you’re connecting to a tower just a hundred meters away or a satellite situated a hundred miles above – or even both – it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as a cost-free call.
