New technology of built-in eSIM chips is replacing traditional SIM cards. The main innovation of the invention is the design of numbers, as well as the change of tariffs and operators exclusively online, which so far is only partially implemented.

What is an eSIM from a technical point of view?

The name eSIM stands for embedded SIM, an embedded card. From a technical point of view, a reusable eSIM is a 5 by 6 mm chip soldered on the motherboard. Inside, the eSIM has a 10MHz processor, non-volatile memory, controllers, and an operating system.

The main idea of eSIM lies in the ease of changing the operator and tariff from less to more profitable. For example, if you arrive in a new city, then immediately at the Wi-Fi counter, you select the most convenient tariff from a local operator and connect. However, eSIMs have other benefits that are good to know about.

eSIM Benefits:

The technology is suitable for entrepreneurs who make many calls to different cities and countries. For each case, you can choose the most favorable tariff.
The eSIM card cannot be lost or broken, or incorrectly inserted into the device.
Fewer problems arise when the phone is lost. The card is easy to block and immediately play on a new phone.
For mobile operators, the introduction of eSIM is a good opportunity to save on plastic, dealers, and rent. The introduction of eSIM will lead to increased competition among virtual operators, which will allow customers to save.
eSIM has the ability to work with one number and tariff from different devices. But in Russia, you will have first to delete the profile on one device and then transfer it to another.
The new technology allows you to make the iPhone dual-sim. The traditional SIM will continue to work in the phone, and the second number will be recorded on the virtual card. Up to 10 numbers can be stored on an eSIM, but only one will be active.

eSIM setup: simple, understandable, affordable

The easiest way to activate eSIM card is to scan the QR code received from the operator. First you need to connect to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi. Further procedure:

On devices from Apple: “Settings” – “Cellular” – “Add cellular plan” – QR code.
On Android: “Settings” – “Network and Internet” – “Mobile network” – “Add” – “Download SIM card” – QR code.

If you cannot scan the eSIM activation code (no second device), you can manually enter the activation code. To do this, at the stage of adding a new tariff plan, you need to select “Enter code” and follow the prompts of the system. On smartphones from Apple (if the carrier allows), you can convert a regular SIM card to an eSIM. For this, you need to:

Open “Settings” – “Cellular.”
Click “Convert to eSIM” and “Convert Cellular Plan.”
Wait for eSIM activation.
Remove plastic media, and restart iPhone.

After activating the eSIM, the smartphone can only work with two active numbers. These can be two eSIM numbers or one number with the usual nano-SIM and one with eSIM (depending on the specific model of the device). However, you can connect more packages and tariff plans under eSIM. Operators allow you to purchase up to five numbers. At any time, you can activate one plan on eSIM, and disable another – so that it is profitable. At the same time, disabling the eSIM profile does not threaten anything: you will remain a subscriber of the telecom operator.

How to get eSIM phone number?

To find out the eSIM phone number, you need to contact the support service of the service where you purchased the card, for instance, esimway.com, or the hotline of the mobile operator.