|
The Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card is a smart card located in the GSM
phase 2+ phones which enables the authentication of the GSM subscribers to the mobile
network. The original vision of the GSM of also using the SIM card as a memory support
for downloading value added services is today a commercial reality. The SIM card, for
many reasons, is now commonly considered as a potential for service differentiation from
mobile telecom operator and partner content providers.
The 3GPP TS 11.14 specifies the SIM Application Toolkit list of commands and procedures
that can be used by any service developers independently from the mobile GSM handset used.
These specifications provide the SIM with access to:
- The mobile handset interfaces (keypad, screen, antenna), and
- The network through a bi-directional over-the-air communication channel (SMS, GPRS, etc.)
What is a USIM Card?
The Universal Subscriber Identity Module or USIM card is the logical extension of the
SIM card into the 3G environment. Still under the control of the ETSI, the USIM card is
an evolution of the SIM card.
What is Java Interoperability?
The main difficulty for SIM-based services deployment – besides post issuance management
- used to be the lack of interoperability among the different card manufacturers’ product.
Initially each card vendor had a proprietary language for programming the SIM cards. This
could be explained by a lack of standardisation. This situation was not acceptable over the
long-term and that is why the definition of an interoperable card operating system was pushed
by Sun and SchlumbergerSema and later endorsed by all the major card vendors under the umbrella
of ETSI and its working groups.
This solution is called Java Card™ for SIM. The Java Card™ specifications are under the
responsibility of Sun Microsystems through the Java Card™ Forum. Java Card™ for SIM provides
an open architecture and high-level programming environment. Interoperability was not however
achieved in one day. It took time and energy from all members of the industry to reach this
objective. Founded by the major smart cards manufacturers, the Interoperability work group
of the SIMalliance considers interoperability in (U)SIM Java Card™ technology to be one of
the main challenges for the successful deployment of smart card-based value added services.
|
Java SIM and USIM
Trainings