Mobile - Cell service

<— Return to: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/connectivity-n1pg9FIJ8v

<— Previous lesson: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/wifi-hotspot-81LajC7azO

—> Next lesson: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/sim-card-setup-PL4yxO2mAr

For phones the basic function used to be to make calls & texts over the cellular service, while modern phones can offer a myriad of functionalities via apps that connect over the internet. SIM cards are used to remotely connect to cell towers which provides service for not only calls & texts, but also and mobile data (GSM / 3G, LTE / 4G, 5G).

The Above Phone is fully unlocked and accepts any SIM card around the world. It can also be set up with eSIMs and for privacy-focused folks, we also offer the Above DataSIM, which does not hold a phone number and in that way can not be tracked and traced in the same way like regular SIM cards can be, since the phone number can act as a direct identifier.

Terminology

Definitions from our Glossary of Terms:

• SIM Card
  A small chip that holds and sends authentication details (IMSI) to the mobile cell network. When a phone number is tied to the SIM card, it allows to make and receive phone calls, SMS (text messages) and MMS (media messages). Additionally SIM cards can also give access to the internet via mobile data / broadband. SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module Card.

• eSIM
  Nowadays SIM cards don't have to by physical cards anymore - with newer phones it is possible to directly download electronic SIM cards (=eSIM) into the phone, usually by using QR codes.
  An eSIM is a form of SIM card that directly is embedded digitally into a device. Note that in terms of privacy concerns, eSIMs are no different to physical SIM cards, since both always connect to nearby cell towers and the data stream can be identified when there is a telephone number directly tied to that SIM card.

• DataSIM
  We have introduced this term to make it clear how the SIM cards we offer differ from normal SIM cards. The Above DataSIM does NOT have a phone number tied to it and instead just uses the nearby cell towers to provide internet to the phone, making it possible to use any internet based service, including virtual phone numbers, like the ones from JMP.chat

Privacy

Please be aware of the privacy implications of using SIM cards and the public cell service network to make calls and texts.

Here are some alternative strategies for better privacy:

1. Above DataSIM - provides mobile internet without holding a phone number

2. JMP.chat offers internet phone numbers, which are not tied to SIM cards

3. Using offline apps not requiring an active internet connection

Above DataSIM

With our Above DataSIM we offer a more private way to stay connected while out and about. Our DataSIM card DOES NOT have a phone number service attached to itself, to prevent it from being identified.

Please note that the DataSIM is an eSIM, which means that you can only use the DataSIM on devices that support eSIMs. All the phones we sell support eSIMs and multiple SIMs can be added to a device, ready to be used on demand.

Note that a maximum of two SIMs can be active at the same time.

Since most devices have only one physical SIM slot (or none), at least one of the secondary SIMs needs to be an eSIM to be able to use it simultaneously.