SIM Application Toolkit: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 18:11, 23 September 2019

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'''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 />

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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>{{cite web|url=http://www.openmobilealliance.org/release/SCWS/V1_2-20130305-A/OMA-TS-Smartcard_Web_Server-V1_2-20130305-A.pdf|title=OMA TS 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" />

==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==