Neil Hughes
The two largest handset makers in the world — Â Apple and Samsung — are said to be working with some of the largest carriers around the globe on a new, so-called "e-SIM" standard that would replace traditional SIM cards, and make it easier for customers to sign up for new data plans.
It's expected that the GSMA, which represents carriers worldwide, will soon announce an embedded SIM standard, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. In addition to Apple and Samsung, major carriers like AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone are said to be a part of the plans.
Even after the standard is finalized, it will take some time — at least a year — Â before products with embedded "e-SIM" card begin to ship to consumers. That means an embedded SIM won't be in this year's anticipated "iPhone 6s" or "iPhone 6s Plus."
AppleInsider's own sources indicated earlier this year that Apple was strongly considering shipping this year's iPhone upgrade with its own Apple SIM card. The Apple SIM was introduced in the iPad Air 2 last year, and allows consumers to sign up for mobile data plans from any participating carrier directly from the device's Settings app.
Thursday's report said the new "e-SIM" standard is not expected to replace the Apple SIM. The Financial Times also reaffirmed that the Apple SIM could ship in the "iPhone 6s" series.
If the "e-SIM" standard is approved soon, it's possible that the new, more consumer-friendly option could debut in a presumed 2016 "iPhone 7" upgrade.
Apple, meanwhile, has been expanding the availability and support for its Apple SIM, recently inking a deal with GigSky to offer iPad data plans in more than 90 countries and territories. With an Apple SIM and GigSky account, users can easily buy temporary, contract-free data plans while traveling internationally.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
35 Comments
IMHO Apple joining in now is primarily to protect their own interests in this (as some of the other companies are doing) as the standard is developed. I remember reading about a standards setting group for eSIMS several months ago and there were a number of companies involved. The group was initially put together back in September of 2014. I had posted this previously: " There’s actually quite a few companies involved besides Samsung and the recently added Apple and include hardware providers Sony, LG and Huawei. There’s also big telcos such as AT&T, China Unicom and Telefónica, along with smaller players like Mexico’s América Móvil, the middle-east’s Ooredoo, security company Gemalto, Germany’s financial security provider Giesecke & Devrient, France’s electronic security provider Morpho and many others." EDIT: The working group is under the GSMA umbrella and called the Consumer Remote SIM Provisioning initiative. The original press release was the first week of [S]March[/S] February. http://saladeprensa.telefonica.com/jsp/base.jsp?contenido=/jsp/notasdeprensa/notadetalle.jsp&id=0&origen=portada&idm=eng&pais=1&elem=21254
how will this work with pre-paid SIM/service especially when you travel?
IMHO Apple joining in now is primarily to protect their own interests in this (as some of the other companies are doing) as the standard is developed. I remember reading about a standards setting group for eSIMS several months ago and there were a number of companies involved. I had posted this previously:
There’s actually quite a few companies involved besides Samsung and the recently added Apple and include hardware providers Sony, LG and Huawei. There’s also big telcos such as AT&T, China Unicom and Telefónica, along with smaller players like Mexico’s América Móvil, the middle-east’s Ooredoo, security company Gemalto, Germany’s financial security provider Giesecke & Devrient, France’s electronic security provider Morpho and many others.
EDIT: The working group is under the GSMA umbrella and called the Consumer Remote SIM Provisioning initiative. The original press release was the first week of March.
Hardly...
Apple has pushed for this type of built in SIM for YEARS.. back with the 3G and 3GS Apple wanted to go universal. The Apple SIM was a shot over the bow to carriers that were not on board..
Will be interesting to see what Verizon does.. I think Sprint will be quick to hop on board, but Verizon has a history (and them reason it failed last time along with ATT giving pushback) of resisting this...
I think T-Mobile is part of the reason they might consider it though.. T-Mobile has drastically changed the landscape from how we even purchased phones 4-6 years ago. Competition is heating up.. which is good for us as consumers.
[quote name="Adrayven" url="/t/187240/apple-samsung-carriers-working-together-on-e-sim-standard-for-mobile-data-plans#post_2748950"] [B]Hardly...[/B] Apple has pushed for this type of built in SIM for YEARS.. back with the 3G and 3GS Apple wanted to go universal. The Apple SIM was a shot over the bow to carriers that were not on board.. [/quote] :???: I'm not saying Apple didn't already have an interest in eSIMS. Quite the opposite as I'm guessing Apple is joining the standards-setting group [B]now[/B] to protect those interests. Why do you think Apple has decided to join the group if not for that reason? EDIT: Perhaps Apple hasn't actually decided to join the initiative, instead only committing to use it and not necessarily instead of their own solution either? This is a bit confusing: [I]The GSMA said it was “continuing to work with Apple to secure their support for the initiative. While we are optimistic, a formal agreement with them is still in progress.” Apple declined to comment. [/I]
how will this work with pre-paid SIM/service especially when you travel?
I imagine you will just stop by a phone store in the host country and they will reprogram your phone. When you return you can do the same thing with your home carrier, although it is likely you would be able to reprogram your own phone at home by yourself without going to the carrier store.
The main issue is carrier lock. That will likely be something that will remain built in, although currently on Verizon phones the sim slot, I've heard, is unlocked.