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AT&T Locks Apple SIM Cards On New iPads
As reported by MacRumors, the unlocked, carrier-switchable SIM cards built into the newest iPads aren't necessarily so -- at least if you buy them from an AT&T store. Though the card comes from Apple with the ability to support (and be switched among with software, if a change is necessary) all major carriers, "AT&T is not supporting this interchangeability and is locking the SIM included with cellular models of the iPad Air 2 and Retina iPad mini 3 after it is used with an AT&T plan. ... AT&T appears to be the only participating carrier that is locking the Apple SIM to its network. T-Mobile's John Legere has indicated that T-Mobile's process does not lock a customer in to T-Mobile, which appears to be confirmed by Apple's support document, and Sprint's process also seems to leave the Apple SIM unlocked and able to be used with other carrier plans. Verizon, the fourth major carrier in the United States, did not opt to allow the Apple SIM to work with its network." The iPad itself can still be activated and used on other networks, but only after the installation of a new SIM.
No. This is a terrible practice, it's anti-competitive and needs to be stopped. A customer should not have to justify his actions to leave, particularly when the reasons are usually blatantly obvious.
Is this even legal? It's not their SIM, it's yours. Surely they can't legally lock you out of your own hardware.
Whether it's convenient or not as long as you are not harassed while switching than a business has every right to try to sway you (within reason) and nothing you say or do will change that.
Exactly what gives them the right to FUCK WITH MY EQUIPMENT AND DISABLE A KEY FEATURE???
This isn't about equipment purchased from AT&T, on or off contract, with an AT&T SIM, SIM-locked to AT&T's network. This is about equipment purchased from Apple, off contract, with an Apple SIM, not SIM-locked to any network. AT&T is locking that Apple SIM (not the device) to AT&T's network, forcing you to buy another Apple SIM if you wish to switch carriers, something no other carrier is doing. A SIM card, once locked to a carrier, can not be unlocked.
APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
It is good business to try and retain a customer. It is terrible behavior to hold someone's property ransom to force them to listen to your pitch.
Depending on how quickly word gets out, and the reaction, the second may not be a productive way of trying to achieve the first.
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
No. The "Apple SIM" with the ultimate goal of getting rid of the exchangeable SIM is just a way to bring the CDMA-style restrictions of a carrier-side device-whitelist into the world of GSM/UMTS/LTE-devices.