Has sim card technology changed over time?

Everyman · 11th January 2010, 12:18 AM

Just a quick question...

I've had the same sim card since early 2003. Has anything about them changed since then? I'm just about out of contract, and will probably resign with the same carrier (Virgin) and would normally keep the same sim.

So, has anything changed? Would I get better reception, or any difference at all?

Cheers

Blottski · 11th January 2010, 12:24 AM

I worked for a mobile phone store over 10 years ago... they were the same back then as the are now....

Maelstrom · 11th January 2010, 12:42 PM

Are you talking about changing your phone number? Mobile phone? Or do you actually care about the actual SIM (or UICC) card?

The card just allows identification of your handset (so you can connect to the network) and possibly a small number of contacts and sms messages. As long as you back up your contacts and messages you can keep your phone number, change it to a new card (optionally on another network) and continue working happily. The cards themselves do not contribute to signal reception. At the end of the day you just need to work out who you want to go with, tell them you want to keep your number and make sure you back up your contacts and messages first.

Technical details: There are different applications that can run on a UICC card (SIM for GSM networks, USIM for UTMS, etc) as per Wiki UICC article and Wiki SIM article

digamma · 11th January 2010, 10:54 PM

Yes, they have changed. Voltage. I had to get a new sim card (same number) about 6 years back. Otherwise, not much else really.

spazmodik · 11th January 2010, 11:52 PM

my first (early 90's) "sim card" was a credit card sized card

MoNk{LAH} · 12th January 2010, 1:01 PM

i havent had to change my sim card for about 5yrs now...still with optus, no no carrier change

11th January 2010, 12:42 PM	#3
Maelstrom Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Canberra Posts: 1,343	Are you talking about changing your phone number? Mobile phone? Or do you actually care about the actual SIM (or UICC) card? The card just allows identification of your handset (so you can connect to the network) and possibly a small number of contacts and sms messages. As long as you back up your contacts and messages you can keep your phone number, change it to a new card (optionally on another network) and continue working happily. The cards themselves do not contribute to signal reception. At the end of the day you just need to work out who you want to go with, tell them you want to keep your number and make sure you back up your contacts and messages first. Technical details: There are different applications that can run on a UICC card (SIM for GSM networks, USIM for UTMS, etc) as per Wiki UICC article and Wiki SIM article Last edited by Maelstrom; 11th January 2010 at 12:45 PM.

11th January 2010, 10:54 PM	#4
digamma Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Brisbane, Southside. Posts: 2,428	Yes, they have changed. Voltage. I had to get a new sim card (same number) about 6 years back. Otherwise, not much else really. __________________ The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral. Returning violence with violence only multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

11th January 2010, 11:52 PM	#5
spazmodik Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Perth, Noranda 6062 Posts: 132	my first (early 90's) "sim card" was a credit card sized card __________________ i5 3570K \| Asrock z77 Extereme4 \|Corsair H80 \| 16Gb RipJaws \| GB HD5850 OC 1GB \| Kingston HyperX 120Gb SSD \|2 x 2TB HDD \| Corsair 550D Silent Case \| Corsair HX650 PSU \|

12th January 2010, 1:01 PM	#6
MoNk{LAH} Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 17,176	i havent had to change my sim card for about 5yrs now...still with optus, no no carrier change __________________ Trading List PS3 profile GT5 Garage My Avatar continually changes, to represent the game i'm playing on PS3

11th January 2010, 12:24 AM	#2
Blottski Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Adelaide Hills, SA Posts: 74	I worked for a mobile phone store over 10 years ago... they were the same back then as the are now....