T-Mobile CEO John Legere takes to Twitter to help clear up Apple SIM confusion

October 27, 2014

T-Mobile CEO John Legere has taken to Twitter to explain how the recently announced Apple SIM works in the new iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2, highlighting how competitors continue to make it difficult for customers to switch operators.

The Apple SIM replaces the traditional SIM consumers would normally receive from their mobile carrier, providing the ability to easily switch between networks without having to grab a new card and set everything up. It's designed to make your life easier, if carriers play along. Unfortunately, while US networks support the new SIM (except Verizon), not all is well.

4/

@verizonwireless

chose not to play at all….Not even on the Apple SIM!

— John Legere (@JohnLegere)

October 25, 2014

7/

@TMobile

and

@Sprint

embraced the Apple SIM concept - you get as many choices as you want.

— John Legere (@JohnLegere)

October 25, 2014

It's interesting to note how iPads bought through retail differ to those purchased from the carriers. iPads sent to the top carriers in the US are kitted out differently with AT&T and T-Mobile opting for Apple's new SIM, while Sprint and Verizon still ship with their own cards.

5/ You can pick

@att

but once you do, you can't switch again!

#typical

— John Legere (@JohnLegere)

October 25, 2014

Verizon will require you to insert a new SIM to use a new iPad on its network, while AT&T will outright lock the SIM. The good news is it's possible to switch out the locked SIM with a new one to get going once again, but this eliminates any advantages the Apple SIM brought to the table.

We recommend you read through the full tweet storm on John Legere's Twitter account for more details. Via: Storify