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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.
Seems like a non-story, don't most wireless providers require you to change the SIM when switching anyways?
I think that was the entire point of the Apple SIM. You could have one card, and go between carriers with a simple software switch. However, AT&T appears to be intentionally breaking that functionality to FORCE you to buy another Apple SIM if you want to switch. With T-Mobile and Sprint, you just pick which one you want. Tried Sprint, but T-Mo's coverage is better in your area? Just cancel the Sprint account and switch to your T-Mo account in the settings. But if you happen to pick AT&T at any point, that SIM can only EVER be used on AT&T, defeating the whole point of a multi-carrier SIM in the first place.
"So after all this, you make my case for me. To end this stalemate, you must die..."
Easy solution:
Don't use AT&T. Ever.
Or Verizon.
Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
T-Mobile that is.
I had Verizon, before that AT&T. So far I've been happier with T-Mobile than any of them...
T-Mobile I think gives you a free 200mb/month no matter what, so if you use cell network lightly that can be fantastic.
If you do pay for a plan, T-Mobile has free international data. It's not LTE unless you pay more but 3G is fine for most needs.
It's only been a month so I may be in the honeymoon phase but the very fact there is a honeymoon phase instead of a gnawing fear in the pit of my stomach that I've attached myself to a monster speaks volumes about T-Mobile I think.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
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???
AT&T will unlock if you call and ask. They want they oppertunity to try and keep your business before unlocking. Last I checked that's good business to try and keep your customer. That being said if you don't like it go with one of the carriers with significantly less LTE coverage.
This isn't about unlocking the device. All iPads are and have always been unlocked. This is about AT&T's decision to disable using the multi-carrier Apple SIM card (new with this iteration of iPads) on any carrier besides AT&T once you use it once with AT&T. (Does Apple even sell the Apple SIM card separately? Maybe in store, but it's certainly not on their website as of now. Your best bet would be just to get an AT&T SIM card if you want to use them and save the Apple card for cooperating carriers.)
R.Mo
I doubt they'll do it for free. It's uncompetitive and the FCC should step in (but won't)
I've got better things to do tonight than die.
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.
Yes, in most cases, that's what happens. However, this article is about iPads bought from Apple, which AT&T has no right to lock.
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?!
So... how are AT&T able to technically achieve this?
Did Apple screw up in some manner, that accidentally left a venue open for ATT to successfully be able to lock the SIM?
Is there a way Apple can fix this in a future revision, so the customer will be able to unlock their SIM, or ATT won't be able to lock it?
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.
What does AT&T do when they remotely lock the SIM that prevents me from being able to take that SIM to someone else and say "Here, use this," without getting "I'm sorry, we can't" as a reply?