As a part of the Post Office system, SIM cards were first produced in the 1890s, with the first device being released in 1897. The first International System for Mobile Communications (or SIM) cards came about in the early 1960s, though there were some kinks to work out.
These SIM cards were made by switching from a key-type system to a sliding contact system, which meant that they could be tampered with by making a similar-sized cut. Further, do you know what is Zong SIM card and how to check Zong number in 2022?
The company decided that the key-type system would no longer be reliable, so its replaced it with a sliding contact system that used copper alloys to seal the contacts between the central processor and the casing of the SIM card. This design change meant that the cards could no longer be made in standard, sheet form, and had to be produced in individual boxes.
Here’s how the old key-type card looked:
The difference is clear, as the new card is much bigger and a lot more obtrusive. And here’s the first type of card. Which looks a lot more like a chunky credit card than a regular card:
A ‘trapdoor’ was attached to the bottom of the card. Which allowed the reader to retrieve the card after it was scanned.
The UK has a large number of types of SIM card and networks. So you’re unlikely to find it at your local mobile phone shop. It’s worth contacting your provider to find out what their plans are, as some will let you purchase cards from them directly. Read more: How to check Zong balance in 2022 with updated codes?
Need help choosing a card? You’ll find handy information at GSM Association’s site.
How much does a SIM Card cost in the UK?
SIM cards in the UK typically cost between £15 and £25 each, depending on which network you’ve chosen. It doesn’t matter what sort of network you’ve chosen – the individual cards come in that network’s standard size.
Most UK phone networks don’t offer a different-sized card.
So if you’re buying a new phone from a network you’ve used before, you’ll be using the same size SIM.
In the UK, the cheapest SIM card you can buy is from Three. It will cost you £15. For those wanting a better deal, Vodafone sells a two-SIM card from the same manufacturer for £15.
When will Three SIM cards become available in the UK?
Unfortunately, Three has yet to update its SIM cards for the UK market. This means that it will be at least six months until any SIM cards will be available to buy. And when you contact Three about it, you’ll have to be patient.
There are alternative methods for getting SIM cards in the UK, including buying SIM cards from phone shops. Or using them as a way to get a new mobile phone contract. Which are popular in Russia and other places that lack SIM cards.
Will I need to take out insurance with my new SIM card?
Most SIM cards will come with cover from the company that produced them. Though you may not be able to find out that it does this without digging through the small print.
The coverage can be good, or it can be limited. And if your SIM card is stolen or damaged, the only way to get your own back is to go to the company in question and ask for a replacement card.
In the majority of cases, this should be covered by your network provider.
