O2, Orange order micro SIM cards
updated 10:50 am EST, Fri January 29, 2010
Could suggest plans for iPad support
International carriers O2 and Orange are placing bulk orders for micro SIM cards, a source with connections to Dutch supplier Gemalto claims. Micro SIM is a new standard meant to replace traditional SIM cards, which have been in use for almost 20 years, and store essential data for a carrier connection. The older cards will be gradually phased out as new devices supporting micro SIM come in.
It is not known if the carriers have any products in mind, but the word of the orders comes only two days after Apple's announcement of the iPad. The tablet is one of the first major devices to use micro SIM cards for 3G access, and will likely be supported by O2 and/or Orange by June or July, and possibly as soon as April. Wi-Fi-only versions of the iPad are due in March. Neither carrier has spoken publicly about potential data plans.
T-Mobile is also said to have to placed an order in recent times, though the company will likely be unable to carry the iPad in the US, as its network there uses non-standard 3G bands. As a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom however, it has other networks in Germany, the UK and several more European countries.
