Memory

In order to deliver SIM cards as a tamper proof high security key, detailed
internal architecture of SIM card is kept under NDA (Non-disclosure agreement)
among smart card manufactures. Thus there is no authentic information regarding the
type of processors, memory, internal data encryption methods etc. But there are
international standards which clearly specify, how a device communicates with SIM
card and access useful information. It is based on these standards mobile phones
and other devices communicate with SIM card.

Usually EEPROM size of SIM cards ranges from 32KB in older SIM cards to 512KB in
modern SIM cards. Data is stored in EEPROM. Not all the data stored on SIM card can
be accessed. For example SIM card PIN, Ki (Authentication key) and some other
secured data cannot be read by any means. Some data is accessible only to
administrator by providing SIM card PIN. It is the micro OS running inside the SIM
card which performs data access control and file management