SIMFi: The first SIM card with Integrated Wi-Fi at Mobile World Congress 2010

Rather than using a dongle or a 3G modem to gain access to internet connection, the idea of having a SIM card with 3G connection capability seems to be more appealing. Isn’t it? This is what Sagem Orga promises. Along with Telefonica, Sagem Orga has developed the first SIM card with integrated Wi-Fi.

Dubbed as SIMFi, this new revolution has actually eradicated the hurdles of accessing network connections to a great extent. The usage of a USIM on HSPA network has its own limitations including the need of a 3G modem, accessories such as USB modems, related software and so on. But with SIMFi, no such external device or set-up is required as it utilizes the SIM toolkit applets present on the card itself.

SIMFi can be just inserted into your mobile phone and then the nearby Wi-Fi devices can share its 3G HSPA connections, after authentication. This means, it act as a HSPA or Wi-Fi router.

Even though this technology can be described as the “Next Killer Application”, the acceptance of SIMFi by the UK network operators is something that has to awaited and seen. This is because, the issue of heavy bandwidth consumption by smartphones has already left strain on the 3G networks and the extend to which a network can support SIMFi with expected high speed is a thoughtful issue. However, SIMFi has the capability to wipe out all present products in the market.

The pricing details or its commercial release is not known. Nevertheless, the presence of SIMFi  at Mobile World Congress 2010 just hints us that the era of SIM cards with Wi-Fi is not too far.

Compare Mobile Phone Prices

BlackBerry Torch 9800

• 1000 Minutes
• Unlimited Texts
• 500 MB
• 24 Months

• £30.00/Month
• 

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc

• 600 Minutes
• 500 MB
• Unlimited Texts
• 24 Months

• £30.00/Month
• 

Samsung Galaxy S II

• 900 Minutes
• Unlimited Texts
• 500 MB

• £31.00/Month
• 

Comments