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Report: Apple, Samsung Eye Electronic SIM Standard

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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Two of the tech world's largest players may issue their support for electronic SIM cards.

Apple and Samsung are reportedly in talks to launch e-SIM cards, which are intended to make it easier to switch carriers and plans.

According to the Financial Times, the GSMA—which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide—may soon announce a standardized e-SIM for consumer devices, including smartphones.

GSMA already has support from AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa, Orange,Telefónica, and Vodafone, the FT said.

A traditional SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card includes a user's phone number and customer identity. It can be removed and placed in another phone, or you can take it out and replace it with another if you switch carriers. With an e-SIM, however, all that swapping will be unnecessary. Changes to an account or a carrier swap could be programmed remotely.

Once all parties reach a final agreement, details will be finalized and delivery could happen sometime next year.

The move to embed e-SIMs wouldn't be too difficult, according to the GSMA. "Many of the interfaces and processes needed to make the remote provisioning of SIMs work are virtually identical to current SIM personalization processes and interfaces used by mobile operators today," the organization said.

Apple, Samsung, and GSMA did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

Apple last fall quietly introduced a multicarrier SIM card with its iPad Air 2, making it the first device able to switch between three wireless providers with just a tap. Users can choose from short-term plans offered by select carriers in the U.S. and U.K., including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and EE.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

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