Difference between SIM and USIM. Usim card - what is it, features of replacing a Usim SIM card or a set of SIM card functions

3G vs 4G - what's the difference?

On March 30, lifecell and Vodafone began the actual deployment of the first segments of the 4G network at a frequency of 2600 MHz (band 7) and the first subscribers were able to try a new communication standard for Ukrainians. It's time to talk about 4G again and collect answers to the most popular questions that may arise.

The main difference between 4G and 3G is the high data transfer speed in networks, which is necessary for more comfortable use of modern music, video streaming services, online games. In addition, 4G standards are entirely based on packet data transmission, and such networks also have greater capacity (one base station can work with a large number subscribers) and offer better connection stability.

Does my smartphone support 4G?

About five years ago, not all smartphones supported 4G; first of all, this was a feature of flagship devices. Gradually, 4G support appeared in chipsets of the mid-range and budget segment, respectively, now even new inexpensive smartphones are able to work in 4G networks, although not absolutely all of them.

The easiest way to check whether your device supports 4G networks is to use a special USSD verification code from the operator:

Kyivstar:

SIM card check:*245*4#
smartphone check:*245*5#

Vodafone:

universal verification code:*222#

lifecell:

universal verification code:*455# , as well as by calling the call center at5433 or through the application"My lifecell", which can be downloaded from the links: Android, iOS.

To check the compatibility of smartphones, operators use their own databases, which include information about the most popular devices, so even if the operator claims that your phone does not support 4G, it doesn’t hurt to double-check this information on the device manufacturer’s website or look at the characteristics of the platform on which the smartphone is built.

First of all, operators are deploying 4G at a frequency of 2600 MHz (FDD-LTE, band 7), and in the summer they will begin to launch a network at a frequency of 1800 MHz (FDD-LTE, band 3) - these are the most common 4G standards, most 4G devices support them.

How to check your SIM card, what is USIM?

Since the 4G standard has received quite a lot of differences compared to 3G, to use the new networks you need not only a suitable device, but also a USIM card - a modern and improved SIM format.

Externally, it does not differ from the usual SIM card, but has a larger amount of built-in memory, is better protected from a security point of view and allows operators to implement various additional services.

If you haven’t changed your card for a long time, then most likely you are using the wrong one - you can check it using the same USSD requests and applications that we wrote about above. Operator databases are not updated instantly, so after replacing your SIM with a USIM, you don’t need to be alarmed if the code check again says that you are using the wrong card.

To coincide with the launch of 4G, all operators are providing free replacement (lifecell - until April 30) of old cards with USIM in their communication stores. Kyivstar subscribers can also buy starter pack(the presence of a USIM inside is indicated by the inscription “4G Ready”) and independently link your number to the new USIM following the instructions inside the starter package.

Probably, communications will become more expensive again?

After the launch of 3G, all operators raised communication tariffs, some also changed (worsened) the conditions of the old ones. In the case of the launch of 4G, we can expect another increase, but the price difference should no longer be so noticeable. Communications prices may rise by 10-20%, while the practice will continue where the cost of similar tariffs will depend on the region of the country.

You definitely shouldn’t expect that operators will charge 3G and 4G traffic differently. New tariff lines may be introduced in the summer, after the launch of 4G in the 1800 MHz band with wider coverage. Perhaps subscribers will be “allowed” to stay on the tariffs of recent years, or players will begin to encourage the transition to new plans with a noticeably larger amount of included traffic, which will be easier to use up on the 4G network due to high access speeds.

Am I ready when 4G comes to my city?

At the first 4G auction, operators bought licenses allowing them to launch 4G at a frequency of 2600 MHz. Base stations operating on this frequency differ large capacity network, but with a small range. That is why 4G coverage, available immediately after the start, is only available in some places. Such base stations It is profitable to cover only large densely populated cities with a million population.

A more global launch of 4G networks, the coverage of which will be at least as good as 3G, is expected in the summer, when operators will turn on networks at 1800 MHz. But don't expect instant national 4G coverage.

You can get a new SIM card for free at any MegaFon store on the territory of the Moscow branch. Your phone number, account balance, tariff and all connected services are saved on the new SIM card.

In what cases can you replace a SIM card:

you have lost or had your phone, tablet or modem stolen;
you bought a new device and you need a SIM card of a different format;
you need a USIM card for devices with 4G Internet support;
your SIM card is damaged or malfunctioning.

How to get a new SIM card

Contact any MegaFon salon with an identification document if the number is registered in your name, or with a power of attorney if the number is registered in the name of another person. The power of attorney must be issued in advance at a Megafon communication salon or with a notary.

Peculiarities

If you replace the SIM card, all contacts saved on it will be lost. Please copy all phone numbers to your phone memory if you want to transfer them to a new SIM card.

If you have lost your phone or it has been stolen from you, you will not be able to restore contacts from your SIM card.

How to order a new SIM card online

Apply for a new SIM card in the online store, and the courier will deliver it within three working days. You can also arrange express delivery. The delivery time is one day from the moment of order confirmation, the cost is 400 ₽.

Delivery within the Moscow Ring Road is free. Delivery cost in the Moscow region is 200 ₽. You can order a SIM card at the following times: populated areas: Arkhangelskoye, Balashikha, Vidnoye, Vnukovo, Vostryakovo, East, Dzerzhinsky, Dolgoprudny, Domodedovo, Zheleznodorozhny, Zhukovsky, Zelenograd, Ivanteevka, Korolev, Kotelniki, Krasnogorsk, Kryukovo, Lobnya, Lytkarino, Lyubertsy, Moscow, Mytishchi, Novo-Predelkino, Novosov Zapodovzovo. , Odintsovo, Podolsk, pos. Severny, Ramenskoye, Reutov, Rublevo, Rumyantsevo, Solntsevo, Skhodnya, Khimki, Shcherbinka, Shchelkovo, Yubileiny.

Today I wanted to exchange my old-type MegaFon and Beeline SIM cards for USIM in order to test the operation of LTE on both networks first.
I come to Mega’s office and almost from the threshold I receive a surprise. It turns out that Megafon has 4 USIM types (there may be more types, but in the region where I tested everything, there were 4), and technically, all 4 USIM types are the same, but are divided into types due to their connection to the number capacity. in particular, if your old Megafon SIM card was in one number range, then in exchange you should receive a USIM for exactly this number range, in another - for another. It would seem that everything is simple? Just! but USIM is far from being available for... every type of number capacity, and according to the law of meanness, my old SIM card turned out to be type 2 number capacity, and at that time there were only USIM type 3 for replacement, or new ones (not for replacement!) too third type.
I had to give up and take a new SIM card. But I was pleased with the result. up to 40 megabits incoming + up to 15 Mbit outgoing channels.

but I’m such a person that I’m used to storing everything in reserve, and Beeline’s office was next in line.
so there was no “leapfrog” with USIM types (probably they have one type for everything), but the USIMs themselves... they don’t work!
chronology of the quest with Beeline.
I'm giving the regular one for exchange old SIM card(a few minutes before entering the office it was working perfectly on the 3G network from the same Beeline in the MC7710 modem), after a couple of minutes they give me a new SIM in USIM format, “stuffed” with my old number. I insert it into the laptop and... bummer!
With this USIM from Bee, the MC7710 sees 2G and 3G networks, but categorically refuses to work with them! 4G is generally zero. In general, the poor girls in the office replaced me with 3 (!) USIM cards and none of them worked. I had to ask for the 4th (!) already regular card(not USIM) which again began to work perfectly in normal 2G and 3G modes.
They gave me the tech number. support in such complicated cases and from the words of a specialist who very intelligently and clearly explained the issues, I learned literally the following.
I was perfectly understood that at Megafon, which by the way works in exactly the same FDD (at 2600 Mhz), my modem with USIM works perfectly, but at Beeline it categorically refuses and they said that there had already been cases of defective USIM batches from Beeline and they advised me to change it again USIM in another Beeline office (you will get to another party), or better yet in another city (!)
so everything grew together with Mega almost immediately on the MC7710, and on Beeline these are the pies.
I hope my information will save someone from unnecessary hassle in similar situation.

Now I’ll tell you how my ordeal with Beeline ended.
I found myself in the same city again and decided to try my luck already in central office Beeline, taking another USIM.
the employees here were much more experienced than in the first office where I was yesterday. Besides, I was already smarter and didn’t try to replace the SIM card again, but decided to just get a new one, I should have seen. how long (about half an hour) it took the girl to issue a SIM card for me and how her facial expression changed when the first one turned out to be defective again (!), but since I deliberately did not voice everything that happened yesterday and stood quietly and silently like a partisan, she almost masterfully hiding her emotions right in front of my eyes, she sent the first defective SIM card to the trash bin, without even telling me anything, and began to print out the second one. I really asked if the number was important to me? I, laughing internally (albeit with laughter from hopelessness), said that no, and remained silent further and waited... waited. Finally, the girl sighed with relief and gave me the second SIM card, saying that it was not enough to get USIM, you also need to activate access to LTE on it (!). I thanked her and, internally prepared for failure, began testing the SIM card.
this time everything went fine. This nth SIM card registers perfectly in 2G, 3G, and 4G and works in all three modes.
Now 4G is overloaded, but the speed test showed 16 megabits for incoming and 8 megabits for outgoing.
V at the moment I’m sitting in the cafe waiting to leave. I nevertheless rearranged the MegaFon SIM card, since the signal level on it was much more confident than that of Beeline on LTE, and the speed reached as much as 44 megabits on incoming channel! however, it’s nice that Beeline is now available.
This is how this long-suffering story ended.

1. What is a USIM card

First, let's figure out what a SIM card is. This is the Subscriber Identification Module - subscriber identification module. In other words, the SIM card allows the operator to identify the subscriber, allowing the user to store certain information in memory.

In addition, a SIM card allows the subscriber to use different mobile phones, while maintaining his number and information.

Knowing what a SIM is, we can say that the difference between a USIM and a SIM card lies in its advanced capabilities. Literally, USIM means Universal Subscriber Identity Module. That is, a universal subscriber identification module.

It is worth noting that not all USIM cards support mobile phones. Therefore, if you decide to purchase such a card, you should first study the characteristics of your phone to see if it can work with it.

2. New generation SIM card USIM

In addition, universal SIM cards store more information about the user, as well as about networks. To maintain the confidentiality of such data, the USIM SIM card has a higher level of security. They are protected by a special UPIN code, and to unlock the UPIN you must enter a special UPUK code.

A universal SIM card has additional settings and opportunities. This makes using the mobile network more convenient.

Interaction with GSM and UMTS networks;
Providing more high level security;
Providing a wider range of options for users;
Expanded phone book allowing you to save more contacts;
Providing the ability to set the parameters of the network used.

3. What does a USIM card look like?

Universal SIM cards have the same shape as a regular SIM card. As a rule, to distinguish it, it has a special marking - USIM. Otherwise, it is completely identical to a regular SIM card.

4. How to disable paid services, Beeline subscriptions: Video

USIM card (from the English Universal Subscriber Identity Module) is an extended SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) standard adopted within the European standard mobile communications third generation (3G).

A USIM card is the next generation of the familiar SIM card. Despite the external identity, there are certain differences hidden inside the card. For example, a USIM card is more aimed at the segment of users who active mode often use the Internet, in particular 3G/4G/5G, where a USIM card has certain advantages, unlike a simple SIM card. In addition, the USIM card allows you to actively use internal memory phone.

The similarities and differences between USIM and SIM cards are listed below:

In terms of functionality, the USIM card has a more expanded range of capabilities. If you decide to purchase such a card, keep in mind that not all phones support it. The main requirement is the ability to use modules for both 3G and 2G (GSM) systems and their compatibility regardless of the manufacturer.

The main functions of a USIM card are as follows:

Interaction with GSM and UMTS networks
Ensuring a higher level of security
Providing a wider range of options for users
Expanded phone book allowing you to save more contacts
Providing the ability to set the parameters of the network used

user data;
algorithms and identification keys:
user subscription data for services;
GSM network access data The main functions of USIM are:
authentication - establishing the user's authenticity to USIM; USIM - to the network and network - to USIM;
security (confidentiality of user data, encryption and ensuring data integrity, storage of authentication and PKI encryption keys, definition of various security levels);
selection and provision of services: list, checking access permissions, managing the personalization of services, information about their credit cost, calculating the cost of services in the selected currency, information about the user’s location in the form of a temporary mobile user identifier - TMSI, information about the operating mode (type of network, equipment ), recording the call time, a list of access point names, a custom menu, image identification (format, resolution parameters), maintaining synchronization with external databases, a list of services provided via the GSM network;
phone book (500 telephone numbers, fax numbers, telephones emergency calls, addresses email, operations of selecting numbers from phone book, call parameters);
user data (access control class based on priority, etc.);
network parameters (carrier frequencies of cells, etc.);
interaction with the GSM network

For comparison, below are the SIM (GSM) functions:

authentication;
security (user data confidentiality, encryption and ensuring data integrity, storage of authentication and encryption keys);
selection and provision of a range additional services(Internet access, information, banking, etc.);
phone book storage;
user data storage
storing network parameters.

USIM cards, in particular, are offered by the Megafon operator, and free of charge. The main thing is to know the characteristics of your phone so that the USIM card is suitable.

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Technology development does not stand still. This is especially true for mobile communication technologies. With their development and improvement in quality, universal SIM cards are coming into the world. USIM card - what is it?

Very often you can find offers from various online stores to purchase a USIM card on favorable terms, while sellers promise a number of advantages of such cards. But few people understand what it is and why we need some kind of universal SIM card at all, at a time when we are already fine with a regular SIM card, which is also cheaper than a universal one.

1. So, what is a USIM card?

A USIM card is an improved version of a regular SIM card that can be used by UMTS phones. It has a larger memory capacity and allows you to store more numbers in your phone book.

In addition, the USIM card has a higher degree of security. A special UPIN protection code protects all card data from unauthorized access. To unlock the UPIN code, a special UPAK code is required, which is provided with the purchased universal SIM card.

European 3G wireless communication systems, which is called UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), subscriber identification modules can comply with two standards:

USIM – Universal SIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module - Universal module subscriber identification);
UICC – Universal Integrated Circuit Card.

It is worth noting that both modules can be quite successfully used in both 3G and 2G networks (GSM), regardless of the manufacturer. This allows users to always stay connected, under any conditions, wherever they are.

2. 4G USIM cards

In connection with the advent of the new generation of mobile communications (4G) and its active implementation, new universal SIM cards have come into the world, allowing you to fully use all the capabilities of 4G networks.

Taking into account all of the above about what a USIM card is, we can conclude that the difference between universal cards and regular SIM cards is that USIMs have expanded capabilities, as well as a higher degree of protection.

Such cards allow you to save more information about the user, while they have a greater level of protection against unauthorized access. In Russia, such cards are not particularly common, but in Europe, this standard is the main one.

Related standards

In addition to USIM, UMTS accepts:

UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) is an advanced microprocessor card (smart card, ICC card) standard for implementing USIM.
UPIN code - extended PIN code standard
UPUK code - extended PUK code standard

Basic functions of USIM

interaction with the GSM, UMTS standard network.
authentication (authentication of USIM - to the network and network - to the USIM);
ensuring security standards (user data confidentiality, encryption and ensuring data integrity, storing authentication and PKI encryption keys, defining various security levels);
selection and provision of services provided through the mobile network (obtaining a list of services, checking access permissions, managing the personalization of services, information about their credit cost, calculating the cost of services in the selected currency, information about the user’s location in the form of a temporary mobile user identifier - TMSI, information about operating mode (type of network, equipment), recording call time, list of access point names, custom menu, image identification (format, resolution parameters), maintaining synchronization with external databases;
phone book (500 phone numbers, fax numbers, emergency numbers, email addresses, operations for selecting numbers from the phone book, call parameters);
user data (access control class based on priority, etc.);
network parameters (carrier frequencies of cells, etc.);

USIM contains

algorithms and data for interaction with networks of GSM, UMTS standards;
algorithms and identification keys;
telephone book;
subscription data for services;
user data;