Intersoft-Eurasia, a Russian developer of hardware and software solutions for mobile devices, has unveiled its plans to market a next-gen SIM card. Fully compatible with the standard SIM card slot, the new solution is designed to support numerous phone numbers from different mobile operators.
The ultimate goal is to put an end to what the developer labels as “mobile slavery” in Russia. The innovation is aimed at enabling a mobile user to select an operator right on the spot, based on tariffs, the quality of a signal and a choice of optional services in a particular area – making mobile number portability (MNP) no longer necessary.
This innovation requires no “revolutionary discoveries,” Intersoft stated. The existing market already offers “all the technology solutions” required to further the project, including SIM cards with extended memory integrating more than one phone number. The company is thus aiming to add to the card’s functionality.
“Why not ‘embed’ in one SIM card 20, 30 or even 64 phone numbers instead of just one?” – this is the invention’s main objective. Looking like a typical SIM card, it is, however, built on a more complex IC with a set of SIM emulator units and a controller.
“A card for SIM cards”
Intersoft-Eurasia is also working on another system, which it defines as “a card for SIM cards.” It is called “Multi Dynamic SIM” and is designed to incorporate the Super Virtual SIM.
In addition to containing several SIM cards, the Multi Dynamic SIM is expected to include user identification data for the various types of communications that a phone device supports. It may keep logins for IP telephony, wireless network access or data storage systems, as well as the user’s personal data.
The developers believe the device should be “the size of a credit card” and sell, for example, incorporated in a smartphone case. The Multi Dynamic SIM will communicate with a smartphone via NFC (near-field communication).
Lots of marketing efforts still down the road
The overall project integrating both inventions, which Intersoft-Eurasia has christened “Super SIM-ka,” is still in its early stage of development. Russian patents have been obtained for the Super Virtual SIM as well as for the key component of the Multi Dynamic SIM.
Irrespective of how rewarding the new idea might sound, the young company acknowledges that evangelization of the market – including mobile operators and retailers – as well as changes in legislation are necessary and that it may thus take years before such a system can become a market reality.
This new SIM card focus marks a major move to diversification for Intersoft-Eurasia, which first came into the limelight two years ago with its innovative smartphone-compatible dosimeter-radiometer. The device, which alerts users to the radiation status of the environment, is now manufactured and promoted in partnership with U.S. and Japanese firms.
