Authorities are preparing measures in case users in Russia are prevented from downloading virtual SIM cards (eSIM) to smartphones. The implementation of the domestic platform is being discussed by the Ministry of Digital Development, Telecommunications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation (Mintsifry), the Radio Research Institute (NIIR) and the FSB. newspaper reports “News”.
The press service of the Ministry told the newspaper that it is planned to deploy a pilot zone with a Russian software and hardware complex on the territory of the NIIR to test the infrastructure in the functioning of virtual SIM cards. The terms of functionality and expansion are not specified.
NIIR announced the creation of a pilot region to select the optimum architecture and combination of elements of the local eSIM ecosystem. They noted that Russian equipment will be tested on the platform, on which domestic eSIM chips or foreign chips can be placed, in accordance with the information security specifications of the Russian Federation.
According to the newspaper’s source in the communications market, the Russian system will allow users to install operator profiles on smartphones, thereby connecting their new virtual SIM card to cellular networks. Currently, foreign software is used for this, he noted and explained that foreign developers can revoke certificates for this under pressure of sanctions or on their own initiative, and in this case it will be impossible to download eSIM profiles to smartphones.
A Tele2 representative explained that already working virtual cards will not be blocked, because after activation they become ordinary SIM cards in terms of functionality, but eSIMs without a connection can be disabled.
Previously reportedThat in Android 14 it will be possible to format physical SIM cards in eSIM.
Source: Gazeta
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