Apple clearly surprised us by including its own SIM cards last year with the launch of the iPad Air 2. In the past, each data-capable iPad would bring the respective SIM card of the carrier you purchased the tablet with, but this new Apple SIM gave users the convenience to switch carriers easily, avoiding you the need to visit carriers and get that done. Reports claim that this is not just Apple, but there are others like Samsung also involved.
Reports claim that both Apple and Samsung are pushing for the e-SIM card concept to become a standard across OEMs and carriers. Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile US parent company Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa, and Telefónica are also part of this negotiation according to reports.
There is a slight issue with this though; according to the source, the e-Sim card will be embedded on to the device, so you won’t be able to remove it. The purpose is still the same though, where you will be able to select the carrier you want, unless otherwise restricted by the carrier that sold you the phone. The concern here is what happens when you want to use the phone on a carrier that does not sign up to this negotiation, especially if you go abroad.
Plans for the e-SIM haven’t been finalized yet, but the group working on the standard hopes to have it rolled out some time in 2016. Let’s wait and see what happens. This sounds like an interesting concept doesn’t it? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Source – ft
