Carriers stockpile nano-SIM cards ahead of Apple’s next-gen iPhone launch

“European mobile operators are stockpiling an innovative miniature Sim card designed for next generation smartphones for use in Apple’s eagerly awaited iPhone 5,” Daniel Thomas reports for The Financial Times.

“In one of the clearest signals yet of an impending launch, Apple’s European operator partners have begun to place multiple orders with chipmakers for a so-called ‘nano-Sim,’, the only physical piece of the phone that is owned by the telecom networks,” Thomas reports. “Operators expect that the iPhone will feature the nano sim in a slimmed down design, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation, and have begun to store millions of the cards in warehouses in anticipation of high demand for Apple’s iPhone.”

Thomas reports, “Operators were caught off guard by the adoption of the micro Sim for the iPhone 4 as well as the original iPad two years ago, with some struggling to meet demand with their own micro-Sims in the first weeks of sale. One informed person said that the major networks were keen to be ahead of demand this time, however. He added that the iPhone 5 was likely to be similar sized as the iPhone 4 although slimmer and with a fully metal body.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Attribution: AppleInsider. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]

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Samsung files formal complaint with ETSI over nano-SIM vote; vote continues anyway – May 23, 2012
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ETSI postponed vote on nano-SIM card standard after Apple rivals complain – March 30, 2012
Beleaguered RIM joins Nokia in whining about Apple’s nano-SIM tactics – March 29, 2012
Nokia won’t license ‘essential’ patents if Apple’s nano-SIM standard is selected – March 28, 2012
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Beleaguered Nokia claims Apple royalty-free nano-SIM promise is hollow – March 26, 2012
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Apple uses clout in attempt to push smartphones to use ‘nano-SIM’ cards – March 21, 2012

4 Comments

  1. Gut tells me that the carriers are being advised in advance of the launch on what they will need to have on hand to facilitate sales. Its in both parties best interest to do this.

    If the report is accurate, then the new iPhone will be much thinner than the competition. No one else has the ability to produce an aluminum chassis. This would be a near insurmountable advantage for Apple’s iPhone.

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