Chaz,
<< whether there will be two slots or one in most phones in the next two or three years. In other words, will there be a SIM card or equivalent for identification etc. and another card for buying stuff, banking, etc. And/or would it be possible to use one slot for two cards one after the other and depending on function? >>
Good question, Chaz, and I hope I don't bore everybody with the answer.
Hopefully two slots most phones in the next two or three years, but am not sure. Trending that way because of recent initiatives by Visa, MC, AMEX & Proton.
Let's start with the fact that a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)is a specific purpose smart card, which is standard & mandated component of every GSM handset ever manufactured. While its primary purpose is the capability to authenticate to a GSM network it also has a great deal of added functionality.
Not only is this inexpensive device a portable subscription, it has the capability to be updated over the air (OTA) and can change the personality or functionality of a handset (SIM Toolkit), store frequently dialed numbers, set preferences for a preferred network when roaming, and store short messages for later review. Last and most importantly it can execute applications and store digital certificates to enable secured access to an eCommerce site.
Lets take this step further. Financial institutions issue private label branded cards authorized by financial regulatory agencies (AMEX, Visa, MasterCard, Mondex, Proton, Joe Blow Retailer, et al). These cards are a pocket billboard that we carry in our wallet. we use them in ATM's and at POS in retailers.
These cards potentially supplement the SIM. this requires the 2nd slot. Smart card readers are very inexpensive and add only about $5 per to the BOM for handset construction.
The mobile handset used to be used for voice transactions primarily (heck, still is). Now we are into data. The handset terminal is an ATM/POS replacement. Cash can be stored, downloadable applications can be stored and replenished, handset personality can be changed, brand identity can be retained, and all this on a simple piece of replaceable piece of <$10 plastic with a powerful microprocessor chip built in.
<< Assume convergence eventually >>
Somewhat ... heck us Americanos invented and promoted wireless telecom competition. It is healthy and fun!
<< do you have a clue what China Unicom asked for as a CDMA card slot and card? >>
Yes I do. They mandated a GSM SIM (with cdma specific functionality) in any cdma adoption from day one (1996) so they could communicate with the rest of the (GSM dominant) wireless world, even though they are currently not the most mobile of societies. Since MOTO was the first handset provider to work with them and recognize their entreaties, and since China is very heavy into smart card adoption for any number of applications including financial transactions and logical access and authentication to the Internet, lets assume we will see dual slot handsets here early on.
I want to add something here. Those of us that are heavily invested in QCOM are perhaps a bit discouraged by the evolving adoption of WCDMA (UTMS/UTRA) and the interim GPRS/Edge components. CDG and QCOM have long maintained that their technology advantage was so great that they could steamroll the worldwide GSM community. CDG and QCOM have also maintained that they could provide all SIM functionality on a soldered in component that would replace a SIM (a logical UIM). Japan and China insisted on a SIM ((USIM - R-UIM). Nokia, Ericy, Moto, et al, listened. QCOM did not. They employed rhetoric. Fact, Competitive disadvantage, QCOM. JMO & FWIW. Glad to see they have finally adopted a cdma SIM spec.
I hope I responded adequately to your questions, Chaz. Nice to see QCOM performing against the NAZ, is it not?
- Eric - |
