Apple has reportedly gave up plans to put an embedded SIM card in the next-gen iPhone.
According to The Telegraph, Apple has given up on its plans to bypass carriers. One source told the U.K. publication that Apple was “sent back to the drawing board with their tails between their legs.”
While Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans for embedded SIM cards in the iPhone, it will allegedly push ahead with that technology for the iPad. The publication claimed that Apple could offer a new iPad with an integrated SIM card before Christmas, or early next year. , and have an integrated baseband radio that will work on most networks worldwide. The tablet is sold at full price, and Apple doesn’t rely on carrier subsidies to make it cheaper for people.
In October, it was reported that Apple was developing an open SIM card that would allow users to shop for mobile carriers directly from the Apple Store. The integrated card would allegedly allow iPhone buyers to activate their service without having to call or visit a mobile carrier.
In addition to allowing users to select a carrier right from their phone, a programmable integrated SIM would also enable users to travel the globe and initiate service without having to obtain a unique SIM card for each carrier in a different country.
But last week reports began to emerge that European carriers were threatening Apple that they would cut subsidies if a new iPhone with an embedded SIM card were released. Carriers accused Apple of trying to gain control of customers, essentially marginalizing the role carriers play with iPhone users.
Maybe they could still make some iPhones with embedded SIMs to sell unlocked at full price for people who don’t mind getting them like that, and switching between carriers. Nothing is mentioned about the other functionalities of this embedded solution, like using the iPhone for mobile payments and as an access card, so these could remain unchanged.
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