So much for the magical, mystical Apple SIM card that comes in the new iPads with cellular service.
The idea was that iPad owners could switch their LTE service between AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, at least for a short time, which signaled the potential easing of carrier control over your devices. I assume Verizon opted out of the arrangement, although we don’t know for sure, and we’re now finding out that AT&T isn’t playing either: If you activate an Apple SIM card onĀ AT&T’s network, you’re effectively locking that SIM to the carrier.
iMore points to Apple’s support documentation on the matter, which verifies many of the tweets I read about this situation today:
Using Apple SIM, you can choose from different cellular carriers and their various programs. The data plans vary by carrier. For instance, in the United States, you can choose a domestic plan from either Sprint or T-Mobile and also pick an alternate plan from the other carrier as needed. When you choose AT&T on iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, AT&T dedicates Apple SIM to their network only.
Obviously, the last sentence says it all in no uncertain terms: If you choose AT&T’s network, you’re stuck with that choice. The support documentation has “last modified” date of October 24, which is today; I suspect the AT&T bit is the modified part but I didn’t see the support page prior to today.
Even as an AT&T customer, I’m disappointed to see this policy reversal. There’s simply no need for it; if AT&T stand behinds its network quality and service, it should be able to earn iPad LTE customers through a trial period.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option now. Instead of some potential pro-consumer innovation, iPad owners are stuck in the same carrier dark ages of heavy-handed policy and will need to get a second SIM if they lock their new iPad to AT&T’s network and later want to change carriers.
This post was updated on October 25 to reflect Verizon’s lack of involvement with the Apple SIM program.


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