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eSIM is a new technology that is revolutionising the way people use cellular network services ranging from voice calls and mobile banking and is largely meant to phase out physical sim cards.
Currently, the eSIM service is available to select devices but with its rising popularity, most leading phone manufacturers are embracing the technology.
How it works
The eSIM works almost exactly like a physical sim card with the main difference being that it is permanently embedded in your phone and cannot be taken out.
A graphical illustration of the evolution of sim cards.
Circuit digest
Instead of inserting a new sim card when you buy a phone, you download an eSIM profile from Google Play Store and select the mobile network that you want to join.
Once you select your preferred mobile network, you are given prompts to follow in doing online registration.
If you need to register another sim card, you simply go to the eSIM profile and select the network you want and get a new number.
The virtual sim card will then give you access to all services that are offered to other mobile network subscribers.
Advantages of eSIM
The main advantage of using an eSIM profile is that you can register it on multiple mobile networks.
Many smartphones currently in the market only allow the use of a maximum of two sim cards while eSIM lets you register up to eight mobile networks.
Online registration is advantageous because you do not have to physically present yourself to a mobile network shop to register your sim card.
If you are using physical sim cards, you will be required to remove them physically during a swapping exercise.
This is not the case with eSIM as you only need to click on the profile you need to use – which helps make sure you do not lose the card. The privilege increases the safety of your sim card because you cannot misplace or lose it.
A user browsing through a smartphone for news.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke
