There is a new development in the course of mobile technology as tech companies Apple and Samsung are exploring ways to get rid of SIM cards for smartphones.
The idea appears to be fresh and aims to bring the convenience of switching carriers and devices without swapping SIMs.
According to 9to5Mac, the biggest leaders in the smartphone industry are in talks with US and UK mobile carriers for making e-SIM a reality. The carriers involved in the discussions are AT&T, T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa and Telefónica.
If everything works out as planned, the team behind the development of e-SIM suggests the new technology will be rolled out by 2016.
"The technology allows an individual to have both, a personal and business number on a single mobile device, with separate billing for voice, data and messaging usage on each number. People can switch between business and personal profiles easily without carrying multiple devices or SIM cards," BlackBerry India Managing Director Sunil Lalvani said at the time, Tech First Post reports.
Apple has already explored with its own SIM cards that can swap networks on flights and let users choose from three different carriers. Integration of e-SIM into next iPhones seems like the next logical step for the Cupertino tech giant.
If Apple and Samsung are onboard for this new technology, e-SIMs will soon become a standard across the industry.
In another report, Financial Times says the e-SIM will work alongside Apple SIM in new-gen iPad and not replace it, according to 9to5Mac.
This isn't the first time a smartphone maker has explored the idea of virtual SIM card. Back in May, BlackBerry expressed plans to roll out virtual SIM technology by the end of this year.
The official rollout date for the virtual e-SIM is not readily available.
A virtual SIM will certainly be a great addition to smartphones and put aside the hassles of switching SIM cards when you upgrade your phone or change carriers.
