With the global village getting smaller every day, it starts to become inconceivable that our access to the Internet and local phone calls require a complicated network and chip change every time we cross borders. A new chip, developed by Israeli engineers hopes to change that.
The Tel Aviv startup company Cell Buddy is currently developing a universal SIM chip for roaming around the world, wherever you may roam.
Local media reports from Israel say that the chip is nearing the end of its testing phase and will be ready for market soon thereafter.
If this new technology comes to light it will take the pain out of switching chips, and it will save e-waste from hitting the landfill sites. Universal chips enable universal devices so you can use your smart phone anywhere there are mobile networks.
With an estimated 6.8 billion users of cell phones in the world Cell Buddy stands to make a lot of money if their technology, thought to be a Holy Grail of the cellular world, works.
Cell Buddy engineers connect its universal SIM to an app which helps users find the best cell network deals in each country or region they are in. The Cell Buddy works to help you make price comparisons, saving you time, money, headaches, and essentially a lot of extra SIMS.
So far the company works with 30 countries, and cell networks are already sending in their SIMS to be part of the new network.
There is an interest for smaller providers to get into the system so their access is highlighted to tourists who might just be offered packages from the bigger companies.
The estimated cost is $60 a year for the SIM and service.
For business travellers, and the mobile global elite this might be the best way to stay connected to the world.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist and publisher that founded Green Prophet to unite a prosperous Middle East. She shows through her work that positive, inspiring dialogue creates action that impacts people, business and planet. She has published in thought-leading newspapers and magazines globally, owns an IoT tech chip patent, and is part of teams that build world-changing products to make agriculture and our planet more sustainable. Reach out directly to [email protected]
“With an estimated 6.8 users of cell phones in the world” What word is missing here?
Thanks for the comment. Billions.
6.8 Billion users? With a world population of 7 billion, you’re saying nearly every man, woman and child on the face of the planet have a cell phone?
Yup: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/11/cell-phones-world-subscribers-six-billion_n_1957173.html
Considering about a quarter of the world’s population is under age 15, with third world countries nearing 40% under 15, I doubt 6.8 billion users is accurate, more like 6.8 billion accounts, with many companies holding several accounts, consumers maintaining separate personal and business lines, and inactive prepaid accounts.
Those tons of e-waste need to be safely recycled or the land fills will grow into a global mountain.
To the Author.
There seems to be a typo with the number of users. It seems like it should 6.8B users not 6.8 users…. it will be hard to make a profit from almost 7 users 🙂