What are SIM cards and What are the Choices in the UK?
UK SIM Information From easy-dial
Every Mobile Phone or Device needs a SIM card (or an e-SIM) to operate.
The subscriber identity module (SIM) is a computer memory card that is inserted into a device – such as a cellphone – to allow the device to sign in to the carrier’s network (Mobile Network Operator) or into another network – for example when “roaming”.
Personal Use. It contains information that identifies the owner, and it can also store information saved to it, such as cellphone contacts in a personal Mobile Phone.
Business Use. Data SIMS are increasingly used to send information (data) in business usage – for example the sales figures generated from Point of Sale Machines in a shop, or data from medical centres, and private and commercial vehicles.
Mobile Broadband: The Routers used in Mobile Broadband Services also require SIM cards – please view our site dedicated to UK Broadband at https://easybroadband.uk
Gateway. The SIM is the physical gateway to the voice and/or data service provided by the Mobile Network Operators,.
A Helpful Video explaining how the SIM has evolved
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WHO ARE THE MAIN MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS IN THE UK?
The four main mobile network operators in the UK are:
- EE
- Vodafone
- O2
- Three
All other mobile operators in the UK provide their services over these networks.
Examples include:
- Virgin Mobile, Asda Mobile and BT Mobile use the EE network.
- Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lycamobile use the O2 network.
- Lebara Mobile and TalkTalk Mobile use the Vodafone network.
- ID Mobile use Three’s network
Mobile broadband is delivered using 3G, 4G and 5G networks.
If you are in an area where your provider only has coverage from their 2G network you would only get an extremely low speed data connection, and web browsing and other services are likely to be very slow or unresponsive. If you are connected to a 2G network your handset will usually display ‘2G’, ‘GPRS’ or ‘EDGE’ at the top of the screen.
If you are connected to a 3G network your handset may display ‘3G’, ‘HSDPA’, ‘H+’ or similar. 4G connections are usually displayed as ‘4G’ or ‘LTE’ on the handset.
The speed and reliability of mobile data can also be affected by the device that you use. If you intend to use your mobile as your main broadband connection, you may be able to receive a more reliable service by using a home router that uses the mobile network rather than a fixed network to provide a broadband connection (known as a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) router).