eSIM standardisation halted by US operator probe

Industry body the GSMA has halted development on a global standard for an embedded SIM card amid an ongoing investigation in the US.

eSIM technology would eliminate the need for a physical SIM card, making it significantly easier to switch networks and select new services.

This means mobile users could adopt a more flexible approach, choosing short-term data plans and signing up with a foreign operator when they are abroad.

Paused

And because it’s software-based, these changes can be done remotely, making the technology ideal for the Internet of Things (IoT). Making physical changes to IoT devices would increase cost and limit scale of deployment.

Embedded SIMs are used in certain Apple devices, such as the iPad and the Apple Watch 3. However this is powered by the proprietary Apple SIM standard and is dependent on operator support.

However, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) is determining whether there has been collusion between AT&T and Verizon to make it difficult for customers to switch networks with eSIM. Handset manufacturers had complained to the DoJ about the alleged practices, leading to the probe.

“This [latest] standard contains a wide range of features, including the option for the eSIM to be locked,” said the GSMA. “In the United States, consumers would have this option; however, they would need to explicitly consent to this under specific commercial agreements with their mobile operator, for example when purchasing a subsidised device.

“The development of the latest version of the specification is on hold pending the completion of an investigation by the United States Department of Justice. The GSMA is cooperating fully with the Department of Justice in this matter.”

Both Verizon and AT&T told Reuters that they were aware of the investigation and cooperating.

Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro's resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade's experience in the technology industry, writing about technology, in particular, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media. 

Latest in Phone & Communications
ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola
I reviewed the ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola and while it's not as fast as its predecessor, it's the superior phone in so many ways
FRITZ!Box 7690 WiFi 7 Router
FRITZ!Box tries to embrace both business and home customers with its new 7690 router
Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal
Other than screen reflection, I’m still looking for the downside to the Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal tablet
Unihertz Tank Pad 8849
Carrying the Unihertz Tank Pad 8849 provided me with a full workout
Doogee Fire 6
The Doogee Fire 6 is another rugged retro SoC phone that fails to justify its cost or your interest
AGM H Max
AGM H Max rugged phone review
Latest in News
TCL QM7K TV on orange background
TCL’s big, bright new mid-range mini-LED TVs have built-in Bang & Olufsen sound
Homepage of Manus, a new Chinese artificial intelligence agent capable of handling complex, real-world tasks, is seen on the screen of an iPhone.
Manus AI may be the new DeepSeek, but initial users report problems
Google Maps
Nightmare Google Maps glitch is deleting timelines, and there isn't a fix yet
Twitter social media application change logo to X. Elon Musk CEO of twitter rebranded Twitter to 'X'. Social media application technology concept.
X is down again – Elon Musk confirms 'massive cyberattack' as former Twitter site hit by fourth outage today
Joe Goldberg and Kate Lockwood sitting at a table and looking at the camera in You season 5.
Netflix releases a killer new trailer for You season 5 but my favorite character is missing from Joe's final chapter
Person using Dyson V8 vacuum
Dyson vacuums have one big problem and I don't understand why