Case Study: China Unicom improves SIM card issuance efficiency with HID Global OMNIKEY 1021 desktop smart card readers

Hid Global Enables China Unicom’s Business Operating Process

China Unicom, a major telecommunications operator in China, faced a significant challenge in its SIM card issuance process. Their system required SIMs to be pre-configured with specific phone numbers, which tied each card to a single service region. This led to inefficient inventory management, as cards could not be shared between regions, resulting in waste and high stock levels. To solve this, they sought a highly reliable and technically advanced smart card reader that could integrate with their nationwide operating system. The vendor, HID Global, provided its OMNIKEY® 1021 desktop smart card readers to address these needs.

HID Global's solution streamlined the process by enabling staff to write a customer's chosen mobile number directly onto any blank SIM card at the point of sale. This eliminated the need for pre-configured regional cards, allowing inventory to be shared across the country. The implementation of HID Global's readers significantly reduced SIM card waste and inventory levels, with an estimated reduction of 8 to 10 million cards ordered per quarter. The readers also increased operational efficiency, speeding up customer service and enhancing satisfaction.

China Unicom