A subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module, widely known as a SIM card, is an integrated circuit that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices.

What information does a SIM card hold? The most important bits of data include the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) and the authentication key that validates the IMSI. The carrier provides this key.

SIM authentication goes like this:

On startup, the phone obtains the IMSI from the SIM card and relays it to the network. Think of this as the “request for access.”

The network takes the IMSI and looks in its internal database for that IMSI’s known authentication key.

The network generates a random number, A, and signs it with the authentication key to create a new number, B. This is the response it would expect if the SIM card is legitimate.

The phone receives A from the network and forwards it to the SIM card, which signs it with its own authentication key to create a new number, C. This number is relayed back to the network.

If the network’s number A matches the SIM card’s number C, then the SIM card is declared legitimate and access is granted.

Long story short: this data not only determines which network to connect to but also acts as the “login credentials” which allow a phone to use said network.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS IN AGRIBUSINESS

1. Knowledge
Successful farmers are constantly researching. They are always looking for new information to improve their farming methods and practices. By doing this, it will help them increase productivity on their farm and boost sales. Knowledge is power and the continuous pursuit of this will ensure that you are always ahead with modern farming.

2. Passion
This should actually have been the first point on this list. You need to have a passion for farming in order to succeed. You have to love your job. Show me a productive farm in Kenya and I will show you a passionate owner running the farm. Apparently this point applies to every business owner in Kenya. If you are planning to engage in agriculture it is highly important that you really love what you are doing because this will help you cope in times of failure. You will have a reason to get up every time you fall. This will keep you working.

3. Problem Solving Abilities
When you are running a farm you will soon realize that there are some set-backs that require creative thinking. You have to come up with new ways to solve problems to make your farm run smoothly and more productive. There are certain methods that are not laid out on instruction manuals, so the farmer has to come up with his/her own innovative ideas.

4. Marketing
How am I going to sell my crops after harvest? This question worries many new farmers but not the successful farmer. To succeed in farming you have to know all the different ways of marketing products. With the new technologies in today‘s generation (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc) you cannot miss. You have to use everything out there to ensure that your products get maximum exposure.

5. Perseverance
This requires the strongest individuals. Farming can sometimes bring loses if the weather does not go your way. Though one can involve Insurance companies but this can proove expensive especially for starters who are not financially stable, here risk-taking applies.