Smartphones can get built-in SIM cards from June

Smartphones will be able to get built-in programmable SIM cards from June, allowing users to switch carriers without having to switch SIM cards. This is already possible with tablets and wearables.

Many major providers and manufacturers of hardware and networks support the standard for e-SIMs, the umbrella organization GSMA reports. The e-sim can be built into a device and is remotely programmable to switch providers. The specifications of the standard for smartphones will not follow until June, but this is already possible for tablets and wearables, which work without speech and SMS.

Samsung will release the first device with e-SIM in March, the Gear S2 3G. At the announcement, the manufacturer already said that the Gear S2 would get a variant with e-SIM. It is obvious that more wearables and tablets will follow soon.

Apple has been using an ‘Apple Sim’ in iPads for a while now. This is a physical SIM card that can connect to networks of different providers. GSMA does not name Apple among the participating companies, although it previously consulted with the American manufacturer. Apple has been heavily involved in the SIM card market in recent years. For example, with the iPhone 4, it was the first to push the microsim and designed the nanosim.