Apple and Samsung as well as some other players in the Telecom industry are pushing for the implementation of the e-SIM (Embedded SIM) standard to replace the traditional SIM cards.
According to Financial Times, two of the world’s smartphone makers – Samsung and Apple are in advanced talks with the GSMA to implement the e-SIM standard. The GSMA (GSM Association) is the body that represents the interest of mobile operators around the world, cutting across over 220 countries and over 800 operators.
Unlike the traditional SIM card which is user-swappable, the Embedded SIM (e-SIM) as the name suggests comes pre-installed into the phone and works with any network that complies with the new standard. When using e-SIM, you will be able to change operator on an already installed SIM card.
The e-SIM is expected to gradually phase out traditional SIMs which are already widely adopted around the world. Carriers such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have all shown interest.
Despite not giving a timeframe for the imminent arrival of the e-SIM standard, GSMA had this to say;
“With the majority of operators on board, the plan is to finalise the technical architecture that will be used in the development of an end-to end remote SIM solution for consumer devices, with delivery anticipated by 2016.”
Last year, Apple brought the Apple SIM along with the iPad Air 2 which allowed users to switch between rival mobile operators without having to change SIMs. The service only debuted in the US, UK and of recent, in Australia.
Source: Financial Times
