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- Vodacom has expanded eSIM support for all its customers.
- This means that certain smartphones won't need a physical SIM card to connect to the Vodacom mobile network.
- There are several benefits to the removal of the need for insertable SIM cards.
- For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage.
Vodacom has expanded eSIM support to all its customers, which means there is no need for a physical SIM card for Vodacom customers who use certain smartphones.
SIM cards contain unique identifying information that enables mobile phone users to connect securely to a mobile network.
A RICA process is followed to link the SIM card to the person who is buying it. RICA is short for the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act. It is necessary to RICA a SIM to use it legally as this forms part of anti-money laundering regulations.
Until recently, this unique identifying information has been stored on physical cards with a SIM number attached to the card.
But newer smartphones have a built-in chip where a few lines of code are stored, which performs the same role as a removable SIM card.
This is known as an eSIM, or embedded subscriber identity module.
eSim technology has been available in South Africa for a while. Vodacom introduced eSIM support for wearable devices in 2019, and was followed by the other big telecommunications companies shortly after.
But ITWeb reported earlier this year that eSIM adoption in South Africa has been sluggish.
However, Vodacom has now expanded support for eSIM to all of its customers. The company formerly only extended eSim support to postpaid or top-up contract clients, but it will now be expanded to include all prepaid, top-up/hybrid, and postpaid customers.
Cell C and Telkom already offer eSIM support for prepaid customers.
MTN does not allow prepaid customers to make use of an eSIM, according to its website.
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Vodacom said its network of eSIM-enabled devices had grown beyond a million users.
"Looking at this number, we can confidently say we are well on our way to achieving our goal of keeping our customers connected to people and things. This only motivates us more to continue to innovate in order to address the changing lifestyle and communication needs of our customers" said Rishaad Tayob, consumer business director at Vodacom South Africa.
Only certain smartphones and devices, such as wearables, facilitate eSIM connections.
Benefits of eSIMs
Firstly eSIM allows users to have multiple SIM profiles with different service providers without having to change out an insertable chip.
According to MTN, an eSIM profile can be easily deactivated if a device is stolen or lost.
Vodacom also touted the ability to remove the plastic SIM as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
Forbes reported that removing the need to put an insertable chip into a device saves space in a phone which allows phone manufacturers to make space for other components, such as a bigger battery.
