Libor Kubín At the end of January 2010, Steve Jobs introduced the iPad supporting 3G networks. The connection to the Internet was provided by Micro SIM. This card was deployed on a mass scale for the first time, although the parameters and final standardization were already agreed upon at the end of 2003.
The introduction of Micro SIM or 3FF SIM could be taken as a design fad giving a sense of exclusivity or a test for later deployment in the iPhone. It could also be a bribe to the telecommunications companies. How else to explain the use of a 12 × 15 mm card in a relatively large tablet?
But Apple is not resting on its laurels. He is reportedly preparing another surprise – his own special SIM card. Information coming from the circle of European mobile operators speaks of Apple's cooperation with Gemalto. They are working together to create a special programmable SIM card for consumers in Europe. The card should be able to work with multiple operators, the necessary identification data will be stored on the chip. Customers will thus be able to choose their telecommunications company when making a purchase on Apple's website or in a store. Another option will be to activate the phone by downloading the application via the App Store. If necessary (for example, a business trip abroad or vacation), it would be very easy to change the telecommunications provider according to the region. This would put the operators out of the game, they could lose fat profits from roaming. This may also be the reason for the visit to Cupertino of senior representatives of mobile telecommunications companies from France in recent weeks.
Gemalto is working on a programmable part of the SIM chip to upgrade parts of the flash ROM based on the current location. The activation of a new operator could take place by uploading the necessary data from the telecommunications provider to the flash drive via a computer or specialized device. Gemalto will provide the facilities to provide the services and the number on the carrier network.
The collaboration between Apple and Gemalto has one more common interest – NFC (Near Field Communications) wireless communication technology. This allows users to make transactions through electronic terminals using RFID (radio frequency identification). Apple has filed several patents for the technology and has reportedly begun testing iPhone prototypes with NFC. A product manager was even hired. If their plan succeeds, Apple can become a major player in the field of secure authentication in business operations. Together with the iAD advertising service, it is an attractive package of services for advertisers.
Editorial comment:
The interesting and tempting idea of a single SIM card for the whole of Europe. All the more interesting that Apple comes with it. Strangely enough, the same company that in the early days of its mobile business locked the iPhone to a certain country and a specific carrier.
Apple could change the mobile game again, but only if mobile operators let it.
Sources: gigaom.com a www.appleinsider.com
About Apple and blocking specific operators. I rather have the feeling that even though Apple dictates to the operators what and how, the blocking is carried out precisely at the request of the operators! Not so much by choice.
Hmm, I really don't know, everyone swear at Apple, but these thoughts make me a proud user of this platform
At the moment I can't imagine what practical benefit it would have for the average user at this time. If I go abroad (perhaps for two weeks), I will definitely keep my home SIM card, I will not disturb anything, I will adjust the services at most, but I will probably buy another SIM card abroad. I guess I wouldn't want to constantly cancel the services of one operator and set them up with another. In addition, it also concerns the portability of numbers, etc., which is not yet possible in cross-border communication. Once domestic prices are the same as roaming prices or there is no problem with number portability (within the whole of Europe), then hopefully it will be good for something.
That's my layman's view of the matter as I understood it.
Changing the SIM is not difficult, but do it several times in a row in an iPhone. Thanks to security mechanisms, you will lose all data.
I used to have to revive the iPhone after changing the SIM card through iTunes, so now it works even without it. But I only tried domestic - VF and O2. I didn't have a problem with data loss after that.
In the GSM specification, if you change the SIM card, the content of the address book, SMS messages and calls should be deleted from the phone. However, it has not been followed for quite a few years now, the manufacturers hate it. This is a consolation for customers - so that they are not rushed every time they change their SIM card.
What about SIM card emulation software for iOS? A few years ago, I had the secret KI and IMSI numbers of several SIMs of all our operators and one German one read out for a considerable amount of money, and now I have the SIMEMU program on my iPad and iPhone, and by simply switching PINs I switch between individual virtual SIMs without any manipulation of the SIM card. How simple.
Yes, it has been working for 8 years - http://www.jecny.cz/wwwold/
Virtual Sim runs on all iPhones including the 4 with iOS4.2beta3.
I have a cloned SIM, and when I started with the iPhone 3G, it was exactly the problem mentioned above - after switching to another SIM, it required activation via iTunes. Now I'm used to using the cloned SIM in the old Nokia, so I don't think about it. But I always have to use SIM cards that are many years old, new ones cannot be cloned (or apparently difficult).
So I had no problem with the cloned SIM even in the first generation iPhone with JB. I now have one MicroSim slot in my iPad 3G and another in my iPhone 3G. I switch the data plan between the two devices like this on the fly without the slightest problem. Both on 4.2 beta 3.
I know. It's a pity that with the latest Sim cards it is almost impossible to read ANSI and Ki in amateur conditions. And that the operators would give this information to a third party? Apple would have to do a lot of digging and change the legislation in some places. The loss and misuse of this data is very large. To know someone's Ki and ANSi, it is a matter of 30 seconds to enter these numbers in SimEm, boot into his account, disconnect him and call for his money under his number (until the owner finds out that his Sim is not active [current mobile phones do not report the error, only you don't allow, see the old Eurotel Duo Sim service] and by turning his mobile off and on again, he cuts you off as an intruder... )