Why not have a phone with three SIM card slots? Avoid the kickback from the carrier to Apple.
Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
41–50 of 191 posts
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#42The concept is called multi-IMSI. It's been possible to do this for a while now.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#43I admit, as an European, I see no point to this. If you want a new SIM card, and you don't have a contract, just buy a new SIM card and put it in your phone / tablet. If you have a long-term contract, this won't help you anyway. Where is the catch? (Sorry if I am sounding stupid)
It seems like a step back to me. Want to change operator but the cheapest operator does not have a deal with Apple? Well you're out of luck!
No, you just do what you had to do before: get a SIM-card from your operator, and put it in your iPhone.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#44With Multipath TCP across multiple LTE networks, this could enable substantial improvement in network performance. Edit: I meant it as a future possibility
SIM = Subscriber Identity Module - it's just what identifies you to the network.
To be on multiple networks at the same time with current technology you need multiple modems and RF equipment.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
> it makes a lot of sense to move from subscriptions to short-time payments It makes sense for the consumer, but I don't think that's in the financial interest of the companies who have worked hard to make long-term service agreements for you phone something that is colloquially accepted in North America. I'm with you, I'd like to see the market change. Just.. don't hold your breath. I understnad Pay-As-You-Go is muc…
I think the real issue is that US customers (at least) have been conditioned to think of a smart phone as something that costs between $0 and $300 due to the common use of contracts and subsidies. Even if a carrier offers a non-contract plan, they are often not that much better as far as price (with some exceptions like TMobile and some MVNOs), so they balk at paying $650-850 for a handset. That was one of the things…
You've got a good point there.
With the Nexus phones (previous versions at least) you could get them at a reasonable price direct from Google. Most of my friends bought direct from Google. I understand Apple let's you buy a phone direct as well, though they're prices aren't/weren't as reasonable.
Hopefully this helps to set the precedent that you can have your cake and eat it too (Have a reasonable phone at a reasonable price).
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#46I really don't like the sound of this. The SIM card is the one thing that keeps mobile service relatively divorced from the hardware. I can keep the same phone but change SIM whenever it suits. I can also take change hardware and just move the SIM. I don't need to ask my provider or hardware OEM for permission. I have control. In the Apple scenario I'm giving this up. I vaguely remember some wrangling with GSMA over…
nobody says you have to use the Apple SIM. it's just a card. remove it and replace it if you do not like it.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the real issue is that US customers (at least) have been conditioned to think of a smart phone as something that costs between $0 and $300 due to the common use of contracts and subsidies. Even if a carrier offers a non-contract plan, they are often not that much better as far as price (with some exceptions like TMobile and some MVNOs), so they balk at paying $650-850 for a handset. That was one of the things…
Yep, no one is going to want to pay $600+ for a phone(in the US). TBH, over $200 for a phone on contract is really high as well.
shrug Just paid $750 for an iPhone 6, unlocked. The alternative was renting it from my carrier for a similar amount, divided into 24 months, and being handcuffed to them for unlocks and the like. By using BYOD pricing on my ATT plan, I pay less every month than I would on a subsidy.
Yeah, I'm not everyone, but arguing that "most people" won't do what I did is kind of missing the point-- they already DO pay that much, just not all at once. It's kind of crazier when you realize what people are paying without knowing it.
The subsidies are going away -- ATT and Verizon in the US are forcing people into their monthly payment plans -- which is kind of nice, because people actually see what they're paying instead of just seeing it "bundled".
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#48Probably the most interesting thing from Apple today, in my opinion. The ability to buy short term plans from different providers effortlessly can turn my tablet into a much more versatile device, and increase competition and reduce long-term carrier lock-in. It's pretty sweet and if it can set a standard for phones then we'll see carriers become true utilities between which customers can switch easily if they get po…
> it makes a lot of sense to move from subscriptions to short-time payments It makes sense for the consumer, but I don't think that's in the financial interest of the companies who have worked hard to make long-term service agreements for you phone something that is colloquially accepted in North America. I'm with you, I'd like to see the market change. Just.. don't hold your breath. I understnad Pay-As-You-Go is muc…
Originally in the UK market contracts were the norm. Then Pay-As-You-Go opened the cellphone market up to teenagers, people on a limited budget, and people who used cellphones infrequently. That combined with the release of the Nokia 5150 and Nokia 3310 phones drove the market away from contracts.
Plus in the UK the regulator is much more active in promoting competition (VNOs, Number Portability, tariff changes are all things the regulator has done to promote competition). In the US the regulator couldn't care less.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
> it makes a lot of sense to move from subscriptions to short-time payments It makes sense for the consumer, but I don't think that's in the financial interest of the companies who have worked hard to make long-term service agreements for you phone something that is colloquially accepted in North America. I'm with you, I'd like to see the market change. Just.. don't hold your breath. I understnad Pay-As-You-Go is muc…
I think the real issue is that US customers (at least) have been conditioned to think of a smart phone as something that costs between $0 and $300 due to the common use of contracts and subsidies. Even if a carrier offers a non-contract plan, they are often not that much better as far as price (with some exceptions like TMobile and some MVNOs), so they balk at paying $650-850 for a handset. That was one of the things…
The carriers should be required to tell the customer the total price, including the contract. Perhaps then the consumers would know what they are signing up to. And the contract length should be limited, given how volatile and fast moving the market is.
Re: Apple Built A SIM Card That Lets You Switch Between AT&T, Sprint, And T-Mobile
#50Probably the most interesting thing from Apple today, in my opinion. The ability to buy short term plans from different providers effortlessly can turn my tablet into a much more versatile device, and increase competition and reduce long-term carrier lock-in. It's pretty sweet and if it can set a standard for phones then we'll see carriers become true utilities between which customers can switch easily if they get po…
Is this an Apple thing? People like (first hit on Google) http://www.bluefish.com/dual-multi-imsi,221.html don't offer the same thing already?