The Telegraph is reporting that Apple’s plan to bypass mobile operators by using integrated SIM card has been thwarted by mobile operators. It still plans to use the technology in future iPads, but not the next iPhone. I wrote about this subject last month and said- “I work in mobile telecoms and can’t for one minute see a point where the networks will like this idea. They thrive on being able to offer a choice of mobile phones to their customers and many customers like to swap SIM cards between phones when the need arises.” Right again…
Apple had wanted to exclude operators, such as Vodafone and O2, from the sale process in order to build a more direct relationship with customers. The Californian technology giant had been working on plans to create an integrated SIM card so that consumers could buy the phone without having to sign up to operators’ long-term contracts.
A senior source at a mobile operator said: “Apple has long been trying to build closer and closer relationships and cut out the operators. But this time they have been sent back to the drawing board with their tails between their legs.”
