eSim technology is an electronic SIM card that performs normal functions, but can operate without a physical carrier. An electronic version of a SIM card can be equipped with a device that supports this technology. The device serves the same purposes as a regular SIM card - making calls and gaining access to the Internet.
The card is programmed separately for each user. It also does not take up space in the mobile device, which allows the subscriber to use the services of different operators without restrictions.
You can purchase an individual number from a cellular service. The operator must provide the user with a unique QR code. The client, having scanned it, can use the functions.
General information about eSIM from Beeline
eSIM is a virtual SIM card with new features.
An electronic SIM card is more convenient. To connect an eSIM, there is no need to purchase a separate chip at the Beeline store. The old SIM card installed on the smartphone is used. All you need to do is write down a new phone number on your device. After activating the option, the user will have access to a full package of cellular communication functions: calls, messages and the Internet.
Principle of operation
The company assumes that eSIM will work with self-identification, i.e. without a standard SIM card. The system operates on the principle of carsharing. The program recognizes the passport data after entering it into a special form in which the subscriber puts his electronic signature.
Key Features
A unique service allows you to connect mobile numbers without visiting the branches of a cellular communication company. And users using a virtual card can activate an unlimited number of cell numbers for 1 eSIM.
Advantages
The new offer from Beeline has the following advantages:
- Possibility of using 2 numbers at once. This option allows the subscriber to use home and work telephones on the mobile device. In this case, a separate tariff plan is established for each number.
- The smartphone owner can store 5 different numbers on the eSIM electronic SIM card. During operation, the user selects in the settings the phone from which he needs to call. This allows you to hide your personal phone number for communicating with selected subscribers.
- The virtual SIM card is reliably protected by the company from hacking. If a smartphone is lost or stolen, the owner notifies the operator, and access to bank notifications is instantly blocked. Attackers will not be able to use the phone to commit financial scams.
- There is no risk of losing your phone number. The eSIM card is virtual, so it is impossible to lose it. When changing a mobile device, the settings are simply carried out on the new phone.
- eSIM is quickly issued at the Beeline office. The procedure takes no more than 5 minutes. The client provides the store manager only with his passport as a citizen of the Russian Federation.
The company has specially developed this offer for active clients for whom 1 mobile number with basic services is not enough. As a result, electronic versions of SIM cards are in great demand today.
At sales offices you can quickly obtain an eSIM SIM card.
How it all began
SIM cards are designed to authenticate a device on a network. Each card is initially assigned an IMSI number, which specifies the operator’s settings and stores network parameters. Every year the size of the map became smaller and its functionality more and more advanced.
The first mini-SIMs were 2.5 x 1.5 cm in size and used the 2G, 3G network standard. Later micro-SIMs were reduced in size to 1.5 x 1.2 cm and began to support 3G and then 4G. Modern nano-SIM measures only 1.2 x 0.88 cm and supports 3G and 4G technology. eSIM also exists in a physical concept - in the form of a chip measuring 5 x 5 mm. It is located on the phone's circuit board, so it cannot be seen or touched without disassembling the phone.
The idea of introducing built-in SIM cards arose in 2010. This was facilitated by the GSMA organization, which sets standards for mobile communications around the world.
In May 2012, the first car using eCall technology appeared. Thanks to which it is possible to make only an emergency call in the car during an accident.
The next device that began to support the eSIM standard, oddly enough, was not a phone, but a watch—Samsung Gear S2, released in 2015.
In 2021, Apple introduced the technology in the Apple Watch 3, iPad Pro 2, and then released the first iPhone XR with eSIM support in 2021.
In October 2021, the Google Pixel smartphone will be released with support for the Google Fi service, Google’s virtual operator.
Samsung Galaxy Fold with LTE support will be released in February 2021.
Operators in Europe and the USA launched the technology at the end of 2018.
Terms of service
You won’t be able to buy an electronic card from Beeline online. A personal visit by the client to the cellular operator's office with a passport is required to confirm identity. It is recommended to first make sure that the device supports the eSIM product.
The company organized the connection of the service in a network of its own salons. The contactless method of activating the option is available only in Beeline salons, without queuing.
Store managers use a separate workplace for this. A special application is installed on the tablet, with the help of which a QR code is created. Next, the client reads it from the monitor with his iPhone.
The eSIM profile is already configured directly on the user's mobile device.
Connection methods
Many Beeline subscribers have already heard about the company's new offer, but do not know how to take advantage of it. eSIM is connected through a special mobile application or with the help of a manager in the operator’s salon.
Via the app
To activate the service yourself, a special application from Beeline is first downloaded to your smartphone. The program can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
After installing the application, you need to select “Buy eSIM” from the on-screen menu. Next, select the desired tariff and available number. The application form specifies an email to which the operator will send instructions for activating the option.
After confirming the application, the user pays for the order and waits for it to be processed. Payment can be made via Apple Pay or from a bank card.
After paying for the product, the provider will send a notification with a QR code to the client’s specified email, with which the service must be activated on the smartphone. The email also provides a link to register a virtual eSIM number.
You can connect an eSIM SIM card through a special application from Beeline.
Registration can be continued through the My Beeline application.
Here the subscriber must perform the following steps:
- Use your smartphone to take a photo of the passport page with the photo.
- Take your own photo with a document in your hands.
- Check that the personal information entered is correct.
- Provide a contact mobile phone number.
- Place your personal signature in the special field.
The eSIM profile can be installed in 2 ways:
- Automatically via link. IN
- By QR code, previously scanned and downloaded to the smartphone on which you plan to use the virtual SIM card in the future.
In the office
The client needs:
- visit the nearest Beeline cellular office in your locality;
- provide the store manager with a Russian citizen’s passport to confirm your identity;
- declare your desire to connect a virtual SIM card to your own iPhone.
The specialist will first check whether the mobile device supports eSIM technology using the EID.
You can do this yourself using the settings of your cellular device: open the menu, go to the “About phone” category, look at the EID. If there is no information, the eSIM service is not available for this device.
If the smartphone supports this technology, the manager helps to activate the service. The client saves a standard SIM card and connects an electronic one. As a result, he has 2 numbers from which he can call, send messages and access the Internet.
The nuances of replacing a plastic SIM card with an eSIM
After activating the eSIM, the subscriber may need to scan the QR code or its image.
After receiving an application to connect the option, the operator sends a graphic image with a code to the subscriber’s email address, which must be scanned and downloaded to a mobile device.
If the program recognizes the image, the configuration is automatically installed on the smartphone, and a virtual card is connected to it.
If your mobile device does not recognize the scanned picture, you need to save the QR code as an image, then go to the “Gallery” and select the desired picture. The iPhone should read the QR code from the image automatically and load the configuration file.
Data transmission (Internet)
As mentioned earlier, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR will only allow you to use one line at a time for cellular data, unlike phone calls, SMS texts, and MMS, which are active on both lines. You can change which line you want to use for internet at any time by simply going to Cellular then Cellular Data in the Settings app.
Additionally, you can also access the Primary or Secondary tabs under Cellular Plans - Cellular in the Settings app to turn cellular data on or off on a per-line basis.
Cellular data will not work when you are on an active phone call on a line that you have not designated as your data number.
Publication date: 07/30/2019
Installation instructions
In order for the virtual SIM to function, you need to correctly configure the settings on your mobile device. The algorithm of actions differs slightly in different smartphone models.
On Apple devices
When connecting eSIM on Apple smartphones, in the phone settings, select the “Cellular” category, then “Tariffs”; in the form that opens, add a mobile tariff plan.
Samsung
On devices, you first need to go to the “Phone Settings” section, then the “Card Manager” subsection and add a new cellular tariff to the form that opens.
Huawei
Huawei models also pre-open the phone settings. Next, you need to go to the “Mobile Communications” folder, the “Manage Cards” subsection and click on the “Add Card” link.
Not just a smartphone
eSIM technology is available not only on phones, but also on smart watches and iPads. However, for now, Ukrainian operators cannot guarantee the operation of the watch.
As of 03/01/2021 eSIM is supported by:
- iPhone 11/12/XR/XS/SE, iPhone 11/12 Pro, iPhone 11/12 Pro Max, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 12 mini.
- iPad 2021, iPad Air 2021, iPad mini S, iPad Pro 11/12.9.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, S20/S20+, S20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21/S21+, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Note 20/Note 20 Ultra.
- Google Pixel 3/3a/3 XL/3a XL, Pixel 4/4a/4 XL, Pixel 5.
- Motorola RAZR, RAZR 5G.
- Huawei P40/P40 Pro, Mate 40/Mate 40 Pro, Mate Xs.
- Microsoft Surface Duo.
- HP Specter Folio Lenovo Yoga 630, Gemini PDA, Xiaomi Mi Watch.
- OPPO Find X3 Pro is the first 5G eSIM flagship developed by OPPO and Thales.
The list is constantly changing. To find out whether eSIM works on a device outside the list, you can refer to the device’s instructions. There are also plans to use Internet of Things with eSIM support in some countries.
At the moment, most modern devices have both an eSIM and a physical SIM card. But perhaps soon they will release smartphones only with eSIM. This will free up space in the phone for additional cards with advanced functions in the future, but will become a threat to mobile phone stores, because they may no longer be needed. According to Juniper Research, by 2025 the number of eSIMs will reach 3.4 billion.
Deactivating and deleting eSIM
Users who want to remove eSIM from Beeline or connect another virtual SIM card can disable the current number. The monthly subscription fee is not blocked.
After you delete an eSIM card, its details are saved in the eSIM card list and you can activate it again if necessary.
To deactivate the service, you need to perform the same steps as when connecting, only in the settings select the “Deactivate card” link.
If desired, the subscriber can completely remove the virtual SIM, but then it will no longer be possible to restore it, because it is not saved in the list of eSIM cards.
The procedure for removing an electronic SIM card:
- Disable eSIM operation.
- Select the “Manage SIM cards” category in your phone settings.
- Click the “Reset parameters” button.
- Remove the card following the system instructions.
After uninstallation, the product cannot be installed again, but profile activation is available. When a profile is deleted from a mobile device, the subscriber’s tariff and number are retained. Complete refusal of the option implies termination of the contract with the operator.
Advantages
eSim will eliminate the problems that are possible with regular SIM cards. There is no need to take it out and replace it with another card, it cannot be damaged and there is no need to replace it to increase the Internet signal level.
If your phone has a built-in eSIM chip, but does not have a Dual SIM slot, you can still use two numbers.
The data is stored in the cloud and can be transferred to another device.
If your phone is stolen, you won’t be able to throw out your old SIM card and safely use another one. The card data is protected and can only be erased by someone who knows the PIN code.
