There may be no need to be tied into the iPad 3G’s microSIM format and the telcos who support it, if smart carriers start adopting the new dual-SIM card format.
As the world revs up for this month’s twice-delayed launch of the iPad (Apple Australia is expected to announce local pricing and start taking orders next Monday, May 10th), some canny 3G carriers are bundling their mobile broadband plans with a dual-format SIM card.
The credit card-sized package contains the
microSIM card for use in the iPad 3G as well as a plastic caddy which lets the microSIM (and the associated 3G plan) take the form of a conventional SIM card for use in any smartphone or 3G-enabled laptop.
One of the first to appear is through UAE carrier Etisalat, which will offer the microSIM card on both prepaid and postpaid plans to all its customers, regardless of which type of device they use.