Apple Working on Special SIM Card to Cut Carriers Out of Retail Process?

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Posted October 27, 2010 at 3:49pm by iClarified

Apple may be working on a special SIM Card to cut carriers out of the iPhone retail process, according to GigaOm sources inside European carriers. The card is reportedly being manufactured by Gemalto and will allow customers to buy their phone online or at the Apple Store and get the device working via the App Store.

It is rumored that Apple and Gemalto have created a SIM card, which is typically a chip that carries subscriber identification information for the carriers, that will be integrated into the iPhone itself. Then customers will then be able to choose their carrier at purchase at the Apple web site or retail store, or buy the phone and get their handset up and running through a download at the App Store as opposed to visiting a carrier store or calling the carrier. Either way it reduces the role of the carrier in the iPhone purchase. Gemalto and Apple have not responded to requests for comment. I am also waiting to hear back from other sources to get more details.

The SIM is said to have a upgradeable flash component and a ROM area. Gemalto will load the ROM area with IT and network security info and the flash area will receive carrier data via a local connection. Gemalto is also said to be providing the back-end infrastructure needed for provisioning.

Apple Working on Special SIM Card to Cut Carriers Out of Retail Process?

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sai kuppa - October 28, 2010 at 12:57am

the whole world uses GSM, its so much convenient for a traveler

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fenrry - October 28, 2010 at 8:42am

ROFL, i slways argue about ppl not reading before writting.

Alicia - October 27, 2010 at 6:44pm

I think that it should be done like Canada and Europe purchase the phone outright and choose your own carrier. We are paying too much. Telus, Bell, Rogers are paying $149. for the iphone 4 under constract. Why are we paying so much more????

George - October 27, 2010 at 9:19pm

You are actually paying way less. In Canada the contract we must sign is 3 years. In the US you are getting $200 off the price for each year of your 2 year contract. Thus in Canada we should be getting the device free. ie $200x3yrs=$600 discount. Of course that doesn't happen because carriers here are robbing Canadians so bad that even the government is trying to step in and help.

Kev - October 27, 2010 at 4:13pm

Now Jobs want the iphone itself to be a closed system ... who the hell is going to buy a phone where you cannot change the sim when you want to use another carrier ... I wouldn't have bought the iphone, only the jailbreak allowed me to use several different sims when I am traveling ...

vlad - October 27, 2010 at 4:21pm

it is RUMORED i think that this will not happen. it's stupidish

Nt02 - October 27, 2010 at 5:55pm

I think that's the point - so can't use another carrier's SIM card. Stop the unlock process on the hardware itself.

Sarx - October 27, 2010 at 6:43pm

This is a bad idea. I love having the flexibility of changing phones by just changing the chip. I do not want to have to call up customer service every time I want to do that. What do you do if you go overseas????? Who has the time to deal with calling up the phone company?? Just pop in a pre paid SIM and you are good to go.

bernsteinr - October 28, 2010 at 1:07pm

actually, @billy bob, the unlock (like ultrasn0w) lets you use multiple SIMs, not the jailbreak... that just lets you install Cydia.

bernsteinr - October 28, 2010 at 8:50pm

:) of course. was technical in nature. i also LOVE inappropriate quotes!

bernsteinr - October 28, 2010 at 8:51pm

coming from someone with 3 jailbroken, unlocked phones on T Mo.