E-SIMs Provide a Line of Support Amidst Gaza Blackout
The introduction of eSIMs during the Gaza blackout has highlighted their potential to help communicate in emergencies.
A view of the communication antennas on the roofs of buildings in Rafah, Gaza on October 28, 2023 as Israeli attacks continue on Gaza. Telephone and internet lines were cut off as a result of the Israeli army's air, sea and land attacks on the Gaza Strip. Photo by Anadolu Images
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technological ray of hope emerged amidst the bleak communications landscape of Gaza, where residents faced a major disruption in telecommunication and internet services due to Israel’s ongoing war on the besieged coastal enclave. As the city went dark, with phones and internet out of commission, eSIM cards provided a lifeline, enabling thousands to reconnect with the outside world.
The electronic SIM, or eSIM, is a digital SIM card alternative that allows users to activate a cellular data plan without the need for a physical SIM card. This technology became especially critical for Gaza’s residents during the recent blackout. When conventional communication systems failed, eSIMs stood out as a resilient and innovative solution.
Journalist Hind Khoudary’s account is just one among many who experienced firsthand the significance of eSIMs during the crisis. With her traditional mobile connection rendered useless, an eSIM card provided by Egyptian writer and activist Mirna El Helbawi enabled her to stay connected, offering a glimmer of connectivity in otherwise dire circumstances.
A people-driven campaign
Mirna El Helbawi, along with her sister Yara, initiated a people-driven campaign to distribute eSIMs to those affected in Gaza. Beginning with a mere two eSIMs sourced from Europe, they soon facilitated the distribution of over 1,000 eSIMs to the people of Gaza, prioritizing journalists and medical personnel but eventually expanding their outreach to include all residents.
The Helbawi sisters were not alone in their efforts. Bashar Shaheen, a Jordanian marketing manager based in Riyadh, also embarked on a similar mission, amplifying the eSIM distribution drive.
While eSIMs present an innovative solution, challenges persist. They primarily function on newer smartphone models, such as the iPhone X and 11 or certain Android phones, which are not universally accessible to all residents. Additionally, not every user is familiar with eSIM activation processes.
Nevertheless, the introduction of eSIMs amidst the blackout has underscored their potential as an emergency communication tool. The recent events in Gaza have highlighted the necessity for resilient and innovative communication solutions, with eSIMs emerging as a frontrunner in times of crisis.
Indomitable human spirit
“Once we confirmed it’s working, we started to call (to check) if some more people would like to get people connected through eSIMs,” Yara told Anadolu Agency.
“If what we’re calling what’s happened right now some sort of a genocide, like you want to exterminate a certain strip or a certain people or certain citizens, at least through telecommunication, uploading the stories, actually putting online what’s happening, this at least gives us a way of documenting what’s happened,” she said.
As the dust settles, and Gaza begins its journey toward recovery and rebuilding, the role of eSIMs in preserving connections and providing a semblance of normalcy amidst chaos will not be forgotten. This digital lifeline has not only bridged communication gaps but has also symbolized the indomitable human spirit and the undying resolve to stay connected against all odds.
Sources: TRT World, Alahram Online and Anadolu Agency
