Apple’s carrier agnostic SIM in the new iPad Air 2 gets locked if you choose AT&T
The special SIM card that comes with the cellular data enabled Apple iPad Air 2 is a big deal as far as SIM cards go. People that pick up the new tablet have a choice to activate service with either AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
If you pick Sprint or T-Mobile, you are can switch service providers with no concern about changing the SIM card like you would have to do with traditional modules.
If you pick AT&T however, once that activation is complete, the SIM card will be permanently locked to AT&T service. Should you decide to switch providers, you will need to get a new SIM card from Apple. Why is this the case? According to AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel, “it’s just the way we’ve chosen to do it.” We're scratching our heads too.
Despite the SIM card inconvenience, the iPad Air 2 itself remains an unlocked tablet. This circumstance basically side-steps the idea behind the Apple SIM card, but at least the AT&T SIM card lock does not limit a user’s choice. Of course, Verizon customers have to use a Verizon-issued SIM card anyway, so as nifty as Apple’s SIM card is, the AT&T service issue is arguably not unique.
If you pick Sprint or T-Mobile, you are can switch service providers with no concern about changing the SIM card like you would have to do with traditional modules.
Despite the SIM card inconvenience, the iPad Air 2 itself remains an unlocked tablet. This circumstance basically side-steps the idea behind the Apple SIM card, but at least the AT&T SIM card lock does not limit a user’s choice. Of course, Verizon customers have to use a Verizon-issued SIM card anyway, so as nifty as Apple’s SIM card is, the AT&T service issue is arguably not unique.
sources: TechCrunch and re/code
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