from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Subscriber Identity Module
SIM
<telecommunications, wireless communications> (SIM or "SIM
card") A component, usually in the form of a miniature
smart-card, that is theoretically tamper-proof and is used to
associate a mobile subscriber with a mobile network
subscription. The SIM holds the subscriber's unique {MSISDN}
along with secret information such as a private encryption key
and encryption/digital signature algorithms. Most SIMs also
contain non-volatile storage for network and device
management, contact lists, text messages sent and received,
logos and in some cases even small Java programs.
(2007-01-06)