eSim Nigeria: How to Activate eSim In Nigeria and How to Get One
We will be working you through on how to use your eSim in Nigeria. On this post you are going to know the evolution of sim cards, the founder of embedded SIM, the importance and advantage of embedded SIM.
In Addition, we will also explain on how to switch your current sim to eSim and we will also tell the types of phone compatible to use the embedded sim card. You are going to the know the first country to use embedded SIM.
Who Is The Founders of eSim?
eSim is a Subscriber Identification Module software developed by OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research laboratory, consisting of for-profit OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc.
The company was founded by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, Wojciech Zaremba, John Schulman and Dario Amodei in December 2015 with the goal of promoting and developing friendly AI in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.
What Is eSim?
eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a type of SIM card that is embedded directly into a device, such as a smartphone, modem, and Wi-Fi. It’s not a removable sim, like the mini sim, micro sim, and the nano sim.
This gives a flexibility in terms of swapping out mobile carriers or plans, as the SIM information can be easily reprogrammed through software rather than having to physically replace the SIM card.
Activate eSim on Airtel, MTN and 9Mobile
Airtel, MTN and 9Mobile are the only three Nigerian network service who introduced eSim. To activate an eSIM on MTN, Airtel and 9Mobile, customers are required to visit any of the network service store or offices for the activation.
9mobile customers are also required to visit select 9Mobile Experience Centers to request for eSIM activation.
They will be provided with a QR code to scan and download an embedded SIM profile and complete the SIM registration process.
Airtel customers must also visit one of the company’s Service Centers, where customer care agents will guide them through the process of setting up their embedded SIM.
Airtel
Customers of the Airtel network can now easily switch to an eSIM service. To do so, they must have a compatible device, which they can check by dialing *#06#. They will also need to obtain a QR code and go through a SIM Swap process with the assistance of an Airtel representative.
MTN
A limited number of eligible subscribers who own compatible devices can participate in the eSIM trial for one year on a first come, first served basis.
To get started, visit any MTN store and have one of their customer care agents check your device’s eligibility and guide you through the setup process.
Need help finding a store? Go to their Stores Page to find the nearest location to your area, town or city.
9MObile
To activate an 9Mobile eSIM, customers will need to visit a selected 9Mobile Experience Centers and request for the activation. Once you get there, you will receive a QR code which they will need to scan to download the eSIM profile and complete the SIM registration process for the customer.
Can I Convert or Change My Current Sim Card to eSim?
It is important to note that an eSIM, is just like a physical SIM, it requires registration. This registration process is usually completed in-store with the assistance of a customer care agent.
The agent will verify the customer’s device for compatibility and guide them through the setup process. It is also worth mentioning that a subscriber has the option to convert their current physical SIM to an embedded SIM and vice versa.
This means, if a subscriber has an eSIM-enabled device and they prefer to use a physical SIM, they can do so by converting their embedded SIM to a physical SIM.
Similarly, if a subscriber has a physical SIM and they now prefer to use an eSIM, they can convert their physical SIM to an embedded SIM. This process can also be done in-store with the assistance of a customer care agent.
How to Start Using eSim
To use an embedded SIM, you must have a phone that is compatible with this technology. Although eSIM-enabled phones are currently limited, many of the latest devices from leading manufacturers come with this capability.
The embedded SIM technology is also becoming more prevalent in Internet of Things (IoT) devices as well. The evolution of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology can be broadly divided into the following phases:
eSim Early Adoption
The first embedded SIMs were developed in the early 2000s and were primarily used in industrial and automotive applications. These early eSIMs were mainly used to provide connectivity to devices that were not designed to be portable and had limited storage capacity.
Growth in Consumer Devices
In the mid-2000s, eSIM technology began to gain traction in consumer devices such as smartphones and tablets. This was driven by the increasing demand for portable devices and the need for more efficient use of storage space.
Virtual SIMs
By the late 2010s, virtual SIMs (vSIMs) became more common, allowing users to activate and deactivate their SIM cards over the air, without the need for physical SIM cards. This made it more convenient for users to switch between different mobile operators and roaming services.
eSIM Standardization
In 2016, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) published the first standard for embedded SIM, which defined the technical specifications and requirements for eSIMs. This standardization helped to increase the compatibility and interoperability of embedded SIM across different devices and operators.
eSim Widespread Adoption
eSIMs are now widely adopted by major smartphone manufacturers, mobile operators, and IoT device manufacturers. They are used in a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops and IoT devices such as cameras, speakers, and smart appliances.
Importance – Advantage of eSim
E Sim Technology Has Several Important Advantages Over Traditional Sim Cards, Let’s read below to know it’s advantages and importance:
- Flexibility: embedded SIM can be reprogrammed through software, allowing users to easily switch between mobile carriers or plans without the need to physically replace the SIM card.
- Convenience: eSIMs are embedded in the device, so there is no need to worry about losing or damaging a removable SIM card.
- Durability: embedded SIM are protected within the device, which reduces the risk of damage or failure.
- Space-saving: eSIMs are smaller than traditional SIM cards, so they take up less space within the device.
- Multi-profile support: embedded SIM can store multiple profiles, allowing users to have multiple phone numbers on a single device.
- IoT devices: eSIMs are ideal for IoT device as it eliminates the need for a physical SIM card slot in the device and allows for easy provisioning and management of cellular connectivity.
- Cost-effective: embedded SIM eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, which can reduce costs for both manufacturers and customers.
Phones Eligible to Use eSim
As of 2021, eSIM technology is supported by many newer iPhone models including the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd generation), 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Additionally, many newer Android smartphones also support eSIM technology, including devices from manufacturers such as Google, Samsung, LG, and OnePlus. It’s important to check with your device manufacturer or service provider to confirm whether your specific device is compatible with embedded SIM technology.
First Country to Use eSim
The first country to use eSIM technology was the United States. The first embedded SIM devices were launched by US carriers, such as AT&T, in late 2016 and early 2017.
These devices were primarily smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, which were among the first to include eSIM support. The technology was later adopted by other countries around the world.
The Evolution of Sim Card
Full Sim Card
A full SIM card, also known as a standard SIM or a regular SIM, is the largest type of SIM card available. It measures 25mm x 15mm and is typically used in older mobile devices.
It is larger than the other two types of SIM cards, the Micro SIM and the Nano SIM, which are designed to be used in newer and smaller devices. Full SIM card can be cut down to smaller sizes to fit into devices that require Micro SIM or Nano SIM.
Mini Sim Card
A mini-SIM card, also known as a 2FF SIM card, is a slightly smaller version of the full SIM card, it is the predecessor of the Micro SIM card, and is typically found in older mobile devices.
Like the full SIM card, the mini-SIM card contains the same components, including the integrated circuit (IC) chip that stores the subscriber’s personal information and the SIM card’s unique identification number (ICCID).
Micro Sim Card
A Micro SIM card is a smaller version of the standard SIM card, measuring 15mm x 12mm. It was introduced to accommodate the decreasing size of mobile devices, particularly smartphones.
Like the standard SIM card, the Micro SIM card contains the same components, including the integrated circuit (IC) chip that stores the subscriber’s personal information and the SIM card’s unique identification number (ICCID).
Nano Sim Card
A Nano SIM card is the smallest type of SIM card currently available, measuring 12.3mm x 8.8mm. It was designed to fit into the increasingly compact mobile devices, particularly smartphones.
Like the other SIM cards, the Nano SIM card contains the integrated circuit (IC) chip that stores the subscriber’s personal information and the SIM card’s unique identification number (ICCID).
In case you missed it, we recently made a post about the new Nigerian AfriGo card introduced by the central bank of Nigeria. it’s an ATM card or personal card that is used for international transaction in any currency of your choice.
