Wi-Fi + SIM Card = SIMFi

 

When we think of a SIM card, innovation isn’t exactly the first word that pops into ones mind. For Europeans and Asians, a SIM card is where they keep all their contacts, and what they actually pay for every month out of pocket. Most people purchase their devices unlocked. For us Americans, the SIM card is still this weird concept. A phone should come activated and already working from an operator. Your monthly fee covers not only the phone, but your service as well. Anything requiring more steps is too complicated. But back to innovation, two companies have announced two separate SIM card products that really make you stop and appreciate how far we’ve come in terms of miniaturization.

gaijin_ writes "What if, rather than buying a MiFi or using a Wi-Fi router app like those on the Palm Pre Plus, you could stick a SIM in any device and have a shared 3G connection? That's what Sagem Orga and Telefonica are promising: they've developed the SIMFi, a USIM card with an embedded Wi-Fi radio that, when dropped into any standard handset, can share the 3G HSPA connection with various Wi-Fi clients as an instant access point."

It wasn’t invented to give phones without WiFi the ability to access existing WLAN networks, instead it was invented to compete with devices like the MiFi. Yes, you read that right, the SIMFi transmits a WiFi signal that your iPad, laptop, iPod Touch, or whatever, can connect to and utilize. Whether or not it’ll take off remains to be seen.

As lust worthy as the NFC SIM is from a consumer perspective, the name of the game in the wireless space is ecosystems. NFC has a large, standards based ecosystem, so while we’ll have to wait a bit longer, and buy yet another new expensive phone, at least we can be confident our NFC will work everywhere.