One eSIM to Rule them All? Thanks Google!

SIM cards are essentially what runs our phones. They allow us to call each other, send messages, and connect to the internet with our data. We have seen advances in SIM technology from shrinking its size from full, mini, micro, and nano SIMs to having eSIMs that eliminate the need for a traditional SIM card.

An embedded SIM (eSIM) is essentially a SIM baked in your phone’s motherboard that is tied to a carrier, this eliminated the use of traditional SIM cards. However, eSIMs have a few drawbacks that prevent them from being the new normal when it comes to SIMs, most especially the issue of not having dual-SIM support with eSIM chips. But it seems that Google has its solution ready in Android 13 with its Multiple Enable Profiles (MEP).

As reported by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman, Google’s MEP allows multiple active SIM profiles in just a single eSIM. This would mean that one single eSIM would be able to connect to 2 different carriers simultaneously. The unique thing about Google’s MEP is that it is purely software-based which would mean that any phone running Android 13 will be compatible with MEP.

It does this by using multiple logical interfaces that are multiplexed on a single physical interface. This would mean that each logical interface can provide independent communication between a SIM profile and a modem. Google has been testing MEP support on their Pixel hardware while adding new APIs that manage eSIM profiles.

Google’s MEP may just be the next step in connecting our devices as it could see the end of having multiple physical SIM cards. The advantage of having MEP is that it would make switching between carrier networks far easier. It would also mean that phone makers will have more space to work with by eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and trays. The feature would be especially useful for those who switch between personal and professional lines on their SIM profiles.

If you wish to get into the details, you may read the full blog by Mishaal Rahman on Google’s MEP technology by clicking this link.

Are you excited to see Google’s implementation of multi eSIM support? Well, we’re just gonna have to wait for Google to announce Android 13 at Google I/O 2022 later this year. We want to know your thoughts down below in the comments!