Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by fkkffdddd 879 days ago
Never heard before this was possible. Do you have some example which carrier allows to bring your own SIM? Ideally, if you have some support page handy that’d explain the process.

Honestly, with normal SIM cards this shouldn’t be possible, as you cannot program the keys into the card. There are some eSIM-on-SIM-cards that you could use if your phone isn’t eSIM capable. But again, would be nice to check.
2 comments
eqvinox 878 days ago
> as you cannot program the keys into the card

You don't need to program the keys into the card, you program the card's identity/public key into the network.

link
fkkffdddd 878 days ago
Mobile Networks use symmetric keys for mutual authentication. You need the same key both in SIM and the carriers database.

What I guess you mean is, you buy an inactive SIM from Vodafone (which has Vodafone-known keys on it), and then you’re telling Vodafone to use that card.

By „bring your SIM“ I thought of something non-branded and was surprised.

Essentially that is what’s happening with eSIM, hence the need for the provisioning step that also makes transferring hard.

link
hpjxohxoyx 878 days ago
you can buy tmo sims off amazon and activate them by id
link