i know that every sim card has a imsi code to determine the user in the network,then why do we need new one for 4g?isnt it the technology of phone to support 4g not the sim card?
becuase we most have newer systems for have higher speed
According to this article and some others I found, 4G sim cards have different programming and different services using 4G, that's why most times 4G sim cards are needed to use the 4G network.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1715401-What-is-the-difference-between-AT-amp-T-3G-and-4G-SIM-cards
I think that's just a matter of a service provider wanting to charge differential rates for 3G-only vs 4G services. I have had the same SIM for several years with different phones and it works across 2G (GSM), 3G and 4G (LTE) services. For example, there are some MVNOs in Australia who use either Telstra or Optus networks (both 4G networks from the main incumbent service providers) but only offer 3G speeds (at a discount). Others offer access to everything.
Well, It think it depends on how you define "4G" networks. In the industrial standpoint LTE network is considered 4G. While in fact 'real' 4G networks should conform with IMT-Advanced released by ITU which can only be achieved by the later version of LTE-Advanced. Therefore, as of LTE networks, currently used SIM card has proven sufficed but I wouldn't be sure if it is the same with LTE-Advanced.
According to my working experience, we do NOT need new SIM cards. As Hamid correctely said, 4G needs to be supported by the phone not by the SIM card. IMSi is the same in both networks.
I agree with Francesco. We do noit need new SIM cards but we need mobile phones those supports 4G. And those mobile phones need space for camera, RAM,.... and because of those reasons (need for space inside a telephone), phone manufactures change SIM cards from mini SIM to micro SIM and even nano SIM cards.
That means - change of SIM cards is caused by phone manufactures - new phone models need to have "a lot of techology" in "regular dimensions".
Best regards.
Igor
There is two kinds of SIM card based on ETSI/3GPP standards, USIM (3GPP 31.101) and SIM (GSM TS 11.11). Many cellular network operators allow the use of old 2G SIMs in their 3G networks but the USIM (rel.8) is mandatory for the authentication and secure access to EPC (Evolved packet core in LTE). Then if your GSM and 3G SIM card is not USIM then you have to change your SIM card for LTE.
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