“The operators are privately saying they could refuse to subsidise the iPhone if Apple inserts an embedded subscriber identity module, or Sim card,” Parker reports. “The operators are accusing Apple of trying to gain control of their relationship with their mobile customers with the new Sim. The technology could allow customers to buy the iPhone and sign up for service on Apple’s website and start using it immediately.”
Parker reports, “Closer to the operators’ hearts, it could allow customers to switch more easily from one to another or insist on shorter-term contracts. It could even set the stage for Apple to resell connection service on its own, although the company has not indicated such plans.”
Read more in the full article here.
Let us eat cake!
By now it should be clear that subsidized phones and SIM locks are not in the interest of the consumer.
Apple Technology and Telecommunications, the new new AT&T.
I love how Apple wrestles control away from the establishment to put the power in the hands of the people. Go Apple! The carriers can kick and scream all they want, but if they don’t accept progress and figure out how to adapt to new market conditions due to innovation, then they can’t die soon enough.
If and when Apple considers implementing this, they will be ready and prepared to undertake carrier substitution and control to the fullest extent. Apple’s days of being dependent on the whims and incompetence of others are over. Apple will do what it believes is in it’s and it’s users’ best interest.
Dammit! For once I thought I would be the first one responding to this news item.
BTW, I have no objection against incorporating the SIM as a fixed feature inside phones, as long as they remain… snappy.
Just like here, the carriers want to own the experience they had no hand in developing. How do you say “dumb pipe” in Spanish, French, German, and Italian?
Oh boo hoo. You mean technology and innovation just might upset your perceived right to an unsustainable business model. Gee, can’t think of where THAT has happened before.
Where’s that Norwegian ombudsman now? Aren’t these European carriers violating the rights of the consumer in Europe by trying to block this?
Not that it matters, the phone companies will just find another excuse to screw the customer.
Example #3,672 of how Apple is the only corporation left that goes to bat for you, the consumer, the little guy.
“The operators are privately saying they could refuse to subsidise the iPhone if Apple inserts an embedded subscriber identity module, or Sim card…”
As Br’er Rabbit said, “Don’t throw me in that briar patch!”
@m159
Dummez pipello, le peep Dumas, gedumbstern pippenhammer, pippella dumella
Why don’t they refuse to subsidize anyway? Europe is always complaining about US farm subsidies whilst turning a blind eye to subsidies to their own farmers.
This could be the beginning of a true market economy where people buy into products and services without being tied to skewed contracts that favor the vendor.
If they go ahead with their threat, they will end up as they truly should be, dumb pipes charging for volume carriage only. Charges being levied to the phone manufacturer’s who in turn passes the cost break down to individuals.
What about easy potability of the SIM card to another phone. We will loose that ability by not having it removable. So if your iPhone broke, you can just get a new one and plug in your SIM card and keep going. By doing this, we will have to go through the whole process of porting the numbers to a new phone. It does give the ability to switch carriers, which I guess is wanted more by customers than switching phones and staying with the same carrier. But every 2-3 years when everyone usually gets a new phone, its going to be a pain.