SIM Application Toolkit: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Mobile telecommunications standard}}

'''SIM Application Toolkit''' ('''STK''') is a standard of the [[GSM]] system which enables the [[subscriber identity module]] (SIM card) to initiate actions which can be used for various [[value-added]] services.<ref name=CellularZA>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm |title=SIM Toolkit |access-date=2006-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm |archive-date=2006-12-07 |url-status=dead |df= |publisher=Cellular}}</ref> Similar standards exist for other network and card systems, with the '''USIM Application Toolkit''' (USAT) for USIMs[[Universal Subscriber Identity Module|USIM]]s used by newer-generation networks being an example. A more general name for this class of [[Java Card]]-based applications running on [[Universal integrated circuit card|UICC cardscard]]s is the '''Card Application Toolkit''' (CAT).<ref name=ts31_11>{{cite web |title=ETSI TS 131 111 / 3GPP TS 31.11 Version 13.3.0: GSM, UMTS, USIM Application Toolkit |url=https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/131100_131199/131111/13.03.00_60/ts_131111v130300p.pdf}}</ref><ref>ETSI TS 102 223 V9.1.0</ref>

The SIM Application Toolkit consists of a set of commands programmed into the SIM which define how the SIM should interact directly with the outside world and initiates commands independently of the handset and the network.<ref name=gemalto-stk>{{cite web|title=SIM Toolkit|publisher=Gemalto|url=http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This enables the SIM to build up an interactive exchange between a network application and the end user and access, or control access to, the network.<ref name="CellularZA">{{Cite web |title=SIM Toolkit |url=http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm |archive-date=2006-12-07 |access-date=2006-11-21 |publisher=Cellular |df=}}</ref> The SIM also gives commands to the handset such as displaying menus and/or asking for user input.<ref name=3GPP-t3-99346>{{cite web|url=https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc|title=SIM Toolkit Modifications for 3GPP (TDOC T3-99346)|publisher=3GPP}}</ref>

STK has been deployed by many mobile operators around the world for many applications, often where a menu-based approach is required, such as [[Mobile Banking]] and content browsing.<ref name=CellularZA /> Designed as a single application environment, the STK can be started during the initial power up of the SIM card<ref name=3GPP-t3-99346 /> and is especially suited to low level applications with simple user interfaces.<ref name=gsmmobileNZ>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm |title=SIM Toolkit<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm |archive-date=2007-10-11 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref>

In [[GSM]] networks, the SIM Application Toolkit is defined by the GSM 11.14 standard released in 2001.<ref name=CellularZA /><ref name=gemalto-stk /><ref name=gsmmobileNZ /> From release 4 onwards, GSM 11.14 was replaced by 3GPP TS 31.111 which also includes the specifications of the USIM Application Toolkit for 3/4G networks.<ref name=ts31_11/>

From release 4 onwards, GSM 11.14 was replaced by 3GPP TS 31.111 which also includes the specifications of the USIM Application Toolkit for 3/4G networks.<ref name=ts31_11/>

==Advantages==

* Some manufacturers claim that STK enables higher levels of security through identity verification and [[encryption]], which are necessary for secure electronic commerce.<ref name=gsmmobileNZ /><ref>{{Cite web |title=eSIM Europe |url=https://simify.com/collections/esim-europe |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Simify |language=en}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated4>[http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html SIM Toolkit<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

* STK has been deployed on the largest number of mobile devices.<ref name=autogenerated4 /><ref>{{Cite web |title=eSIM Europe |url=https://www.travelkon.com.au/product-category/esim/esim-europe-uk/europe-esim/ |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=TravelKon |language=en}}</ref>

==Limitations==