Apple's new SIM cards for the upcoming iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 are designed to allow users to easily switch between different carriers. However, it seems that the feature will not be available for certain subscribers.
The Apple SIM gives users the option to change to different carriers through a few taps. However, a spokesman for AT&T said that the carrier will be locking down the new SIM cards that will come with the new iPads. T-Mobile also said that it will be including pre-set SIM cards with the new iPads that will be locked to the carrier.
In both cases, if a subscriber looks to use a different carrier, the user will have to physically take out the iPad's SIM card and replace it with another one.
However, if one of the new iPads was not acquired through T-Mobile but was bought at an official Apple Store or another retailer to be used with T-Mobile, then the feature will be retained and the user can easily switch between carriers. However, even through these channels, an iPad purchased to be used with AT&T will still not be having the feature.
While Apple's inclusion of the feature shows the company trying to make it easier for users to buy an iPad and choose the carrier that it will be working with, AT&T's and T-Mobile's decisions show that they are looking to maintain a certain level of control over their subscribers.
The listed participants for the Apple SIM program are AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint, but it seems like Sprint will be the only carrier that will allow the feature to be implemented as planned by Apple. Customers buying one of the new iPads will have a choice between the three carriers if buying from an Apple store.
It should be noted that Verizon Wireless is not part of the Apple SIM program.
While AT&T will be locking down the SIM card, the carrier is saying that changing between carriers is still easy.
Mark Siegel, a spokesman for AT&T, said that customers have always been able to switch carriers because the iPad has always been an unlocked device. The difference will only be in how users make the switch.
T-Mobile, on the other hand, thinks that it would be more convenient for iPads to be pre-configured for the carrier when being purchased at their stores, as it is presumed the customer is looking to use the iPad with T-Mobile.
While the new Apple SIM looks to make it convenient for users to switch carriers, one aspect that has not yet been fully developed is when the iPads are used outside of the country.
The new Apple SIM should allow users to subscribe to short-term plans with foreign carriers for when they are in another country. However, the only other partner carrier listed by Apple that is outside of the United States is EE, a carrier in the UK.
