Tiny SIMs, big doors

Apple’s recent move to adopt a more standards-based, next-gen SIM approach is “as long as it can set the standards“, says Caroline Gabriel, and I think there’s a lot going for that view.

But why the smaller form factor? Does an iPad or iPhone need a smaller SIM? Hardly.

I could see situations where a smaller SIM would be a real pain. I remember standing in the aisle of a plane waiting to disembark at Johannesburg, when I heard a rustling behind me. I turned around and saw a guy sorting through a pile of SIMs in the palm of his hand, as if he was sorting out red M&Ms or Smarties.
that’s not a nice scenario for micro-micro SIMs – then one sneeze and you would have SIM confetti everywhere .
Nope, these SIMs are OTA-configurable, so in theory you would never have to take them out of your iThing …. whatever an iThing is.

What connected things would benefit from a very small SIM? Billions.

“Today’s SIM/UICCs are truly IP-connected cryptographic devices. They communicate over HTTPS, authenticate us mutually to multiple types of networks, secure mobile TV systems, support payment, transit and other NFC applications, and are available in ever greater memory sizes and new and innovative form factors“. (Jean-Louis Carrara, Gemalto). 

Small keys, big doors.

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