4 Advantages That Will Make Regular SIM Cards Obsolete
The eSIM (short for embedded SIM) appeared a few years ago, specifically in 2012 by the GSMA organization, and we have previously discussed how it differs from a regular SIM card . Perhaps the most notable difference is that, unlike traditional SIM cards , the eSIM does not have a physical presence, but is integrated or supported within the motherboard of the device, whether it is a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet.
The eSIM is programmed remotely via an internet connection , allowing easy switching between networks and service providers without having to physically swap it. To get this chip, all you have to do is make sure your device is compatible with it and contact its providers in the country you reside in. Unfortunately, these chips do not work in all our Arab countries yet, but the situation will change in the next few years due to the many benefits of eSIM, the most important of which we will share with you in this article.
In the case of traditional SIM cards, the physical chip can be easily removed from the device if it is lost or stolen, which opens the door for some people to access your phone number, intercept text messages, or bypass two-factor authentication, thus hacking into your bank accounts or accounts on various applications. On the other hand, eSIM cards cannot be stolen because they are simply not a physical thing as we explained, but rather a digital profile containing your subscription information with the service provider.
Let's say your eSIM device gets stolen - God forbid - and it wasn't secured or the thief managed to break this security somehow. In the case of regular SIM cards, if the goal is to hack you, the thief will at least remove the SIM card. In the case of eSIM, the thief will not be able to exploit it in any way, because these integrated SIM cards allow you to disable them immediately by wiping the phone's data.
But how do you actually wipe your stolen phone? You can do it using the Find My app for iPhone or Find My Device for Android. Instead of using those apps, some eSIMs come with dedicated apps that let you disable them remotely. You can also contact your carrier directly, and once they verify your identity, they’ll disable your virtual SIM right away.
Traditional SIM cards have always been vulnerable to cyber attacks such as SIM swapping . In this attack, a person impersonates the owner and somehow convinces the telecom provider that they are the owner of the card in order to obtain a new SIM with the same number as the victim. Once they have the new SIM, the person can intercept two-factor authentication codes (OTPs) and authentication messages (ATPs) and hack all accounts associated with the number.
On the other hand, eSIM cards have strict verification protocols including Multi-Factor Authentication, which requires identity verification through multiple steps such as sending verification codes to both email and phone number, and In-Person Verification, which requires the user to go to a service center to provide proof of identity to make any changes related to the chip. All of these things make it difficult to target eSIM cards and make them almost impossible to hack.
When traveling internationally, travelers often have to replace their SIM card with a local one to avoid high international calling costs. The problem with this process is that it involves several risks, including the possibility of losing or damaging the original SIM card, not to mention that it may malfunction if not used for long periods. The eSIM eliminates these concerns by allowing users to download and activate the local carrier’s connection files remotely, often even before arriving in the country. This means that you don’t have to manually swap your SIM card and you can ensure that it is protected and safe no matter what country you are in, provided that the eSIM cards are already supported.
Finally, eSIM cards provide innovative solutions that traditional SIM cards lack, in terms of security and ease of use. They eliminate the risk of loss and theft, enable you to control them remotely in emergency situations, enhance user privacy through strict verification protocols, and enjoy a high degree of flexibility that allows you to easily benefit from them in any country that supports them in the world. We are waiting for eSIM cards to be available in our Arab countries and benefit from their many advantages.