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 |dead-url-status=yesdead |df= |publisher=Cellular}}</ref> Similar standards exist for other network and card systems, with the '''USIM Application Toolkit''' (USAT) for [[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 card]]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|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html |archivedatearchive-date=April 29, 2013 |dead-url-status=yesdead}}</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 /> 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 |dead-url-status=yesdead |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==

{{Abbreviations|date=September 2010}}

Updating [[Android (operating system)|Android]] software is done over GSM where the SIM Toolkit may install automatically with new software regardless of automatic install applications.

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Change in applications and menus stored on the SIM is difficult after the customer takes delivery of the [[Subscriber Identity Module|SIM]] and sometimes may be recognized as surveillance software.

To deliver updates, either the SIM must be returned and exchanged for a new one (which can be costly and inconvenient) or the application updates must be delivered [[Over-the-air programming|over-the-air (OTA)]] using specialized, optional SIM features. {{as of|October 2010}}, [[mobile network operator]]s can, for example, deliver updated STK application menus by sending a secure [[SMS]] to handsets that include a Toolbox (S@T) compliant [[Mobile browser|wireless internet browser (WIB)]]. When using a SIM card compliant to the (BIP (Bearer Independent protocol <ref>{{whatcite web|dateurl=Decemberhttp://www.openmobilealliance.org/release/SCWS/V1_2-20130305-A/OMA-TS-Smartcard_Web_Server-V1_2-20130305-A.pdf|title=OMA 2017TS Smartcard Web Server, p.76 Appendix C. Bearer Independent Protocol}}</ref>) in a BIP-compliant handset, the updates can be delivered very quickly as well (depending upon the network connectivity available to and supported by the handset, i.e. [[GPRS]]/[[3G]] speed). It might also be possible to change the menu of STK applications based on the Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG) specification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html |title=Gemplus has become Gemalto |publisher=Gemplus.com |date=2006-06-02 |accessdateaccess-date=2014-06-18 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411013110/http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html |archivedatearchive-date=April 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357 Gemplus to Deliver SIM Card-Based Solution to Oi For First GSM Launch in Brazil - Smart Card Alliance<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925044023/http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357 |date=September 25, 2006 }}</ref> The update limitations hinder the number and frequency of STK application deployments.<ref>http://www.mygemplus.com/pss/telecom/download/GemConnect_online_sdk.pdf{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

STK has essentially no support for multimedia, only basic pictures.<ref name="autogenerated4" />

The STK technology has limited independent development support available.<ref name="autogenerated4" />

If a mobile phone does not support SIM Application Toolkit, users may not be able to use the service or network correctly. Issues with several mobile network operators have been noticed on smartphones that don't support STK, like [[Nokia_N900#SIM_Application_Toolkit|Nokia N900]].

==In newer networks==

USIM Application Toolkit (USAT) is the equivalent of STK for [[3G]] networks.<ref name=gemalto-stk /> USAT takes advantage of the multiapplication environment of 3G devices by not activating until a specific application has been selected, unlike STK which is activated at startup.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ec-mobile.ust.hk/mobile/toolkit.htm |title=Mobile SIM Tool Kit<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427052032/http://www.ec-mobile.ust.hk/mobile/toolkit.htm |archive-date=2006-04-27 |dead-url-status=yesdead |df= }}</ref> Some functions are card related rather than application related.<ref name=3GPP-t3-99346/>

==See also==