Mobile phones to be made SIMpler..?

skintpaul

http://www.shortlist.com/tech/gadgets/apple-and-samsung-want-to-get-rid-of-sim-cards

Makes sense, or am I missing some alterior motive?

cono1717

The cynic in me would say

"Great - no more having to pay phone companies to end my contract early"

....

Just got to pay Apple / Samsung to swap the provider instead.

Stevie_Palimo

Would being sim free not mean the networks would want something in place where they provide a handset that is strictly for use on there own network making then unlockable, They would deffo look at something here.

cono1717

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Would being sim free not mean the networks would want something in place where they provide a handset that is strictly for use on there own network making then unlockable, They would deffo look at something here.

I suspect so but then networks sell these phones on a contractual basis so even if you decided you didn't want to be with EE and move to O2 you still have to pay EE's monthly charge or a cancellation fee (usually the rest of the contract).

You just don't have to muck about with PAC codes and getting unlocked in the local market.

gjchester

skintpaul wrote: »

http://www.shortlist.com/tech/gadgets/apple-and-samsung-want-to-get-rid-of-sim-cards

Makes sense, or am I missing some alterior motive?

Yes, it means control of that network is in use with any handset is with the maker not the carrier. Apple / Samsung can charge the carrier extra (or a monthly fee) for the privileged of being provisioned on the E-SIM.
You may or may not recall that for the early iPhone's (when exclusive to O2 in the first few years) O2 had to pay a set percentage to Apple on both for the phones sold and on money made on the device usage, (ie a slice of the monthly contract).

And ultimately who will be paying more to the maker for this service, its us the customer.

cono1717 wrote: »

You just don't have to muck about with PAC codes and getting unlocked in the local market.

I don't see how it makes much odds,

You may get more networks supplying handsets at full price,with removal of any subsidy. This is something Apple have already got in place, many people buy the phone network unlocked form Apple, but its not common for Samsung to be sold that way.

That could lead to more to 30 day contracts on a rolling basis, ala sim only.

However the UK market historically does not like to pay for a handset, so the same situation will continue.


I can buy an iPhone 6 on Three today, and I understand Three supply almost all phone unlocked. I can then request a PAC and leave to go to EE tomorrow. However I would be liable for any fees if I've not hit a minimum term, its nothing to do with the SIM card, lock or PAC status, only that I agrees to a minimum term. Most networks say you can request a PAC or unlocking at any time, the question is are you contractually bound to pay fees under the contract you signed up for.

All this does is mean you can swap networks electronically, it does not mean that you can do it without penalty. Consider Apples unlocking policy at the moment, only the supplying network can request an unlock, that may follow on, only the supplying network can authorise the Esim be activated for another network, and this may carry an admin fee.

gjchester

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Would being sim free not mean the networks would want something in place where they provide a handset that is strictly for use on there own network making then unlockable,

No, its manageable by the contract. You can unlock and move a phone at any time, The question is how much do you have to pay in early termination fees, or admin charges.

cono1717

gjchester wrote: »

I can buy an iPhone 6 on Three today, and I understand Three supply almost all phone unlocked. I can then request a PAC and leave to go to EE tomorrow. However I would be liable for any fees if I've not hit a minimum term, its nothing to do with the SIM card, lock or PAC status

Currently when you buy an iPhone even direct from Apple - it locks itself to the first network you put in.

gjchester

cono1717 wrote: »

Currently when you buy an iPhone even direct from Apple - it locks itself to the first network you put in.

No it doesn't. Phones bought directly from Apple or GiffGaff will remain unlocked, iPhone from other retailers (such as CPW, Argos and so on) will lock to the first network they connect to.