Multi-Carrier SIM Card

A multi-network SIM card is a piece of hardware that stores a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) which can access multiple cellular networks. The term is a bit ambiguous and could technically refer to a SIM that has access to at least a handful of carrier networks via roaming agreements, or to a SIM with access to hundreds (like emnify’s SIMs). Generally, it refers to the latter. Depending on the context, someone could also technically mean to imply that a SIM has profiles from multiple carriers. Our SIMs can connect to hundreds of networks and switch between carrier profiles as needed.

Every SIM stores a profile that associates it with a specific cellular network operator which gives access to the provider's network and the networks of any operators they have roaming agreements with. When a device attempts to connect to a cellular network, the operator authenticates the SIM, checking whether the “subscriber” (you) is authorized to use the network. If your device crosses a border or gets deployed in a new country, the multi-carrier SIM attaches to a local carrier it’s authorized to access. Some SIMs, like emnify’s, can also leverage advanced cellular technology like Multi-IMSI and eUICC to access more networks and change carriers in more situations.

IoT SIMs usually come with a web-based platform for remote SIM and connectivity management. They come in multiple form factors like the industrial-grade or MFF2 for durability against extreme environments – heat, corrosion, vibration.Check out our detailed article on the  differences between a consumer SIM and an IoT M2M SIM.

With traditional SIM cards, there’s no way to change the carrier associated with your SIM—you have to get a new SIM card from the new carrier you're switching to and insert it into the device manually. However, the eUICC made it possible for SIMs to store multiple profiles and applets, opening the door to a process called remote SIM provisioning, where you can change the carrier associated with a SIM Over-the-Air.<br><p>Normally, with M2M SIMs, this is an expensive, time-consuming process. Changing carriers via eUICC requires the carrier you’re leaving to build an integration with the carrier you’re switching to. But using our Multi-IMSI applet, your SIM can bypass this process by storing multiple subscriber identities and simply pausing or resuming the contract the subscriber identity has with the carrier. Sounds complicated? It’s not on your end. Our Multi-IMSI applet changes the carrier associated with your SIM automatically as needed. Whether you need to comply with regulations or simply want to optimize for costs or service, the change happens behind the scenes, and you’ll never have to lift a finger.