If another carrier would get coverage in the woods where I am (I'm looking at you T-Mobile), I would drop AT&T faster than... than... something really fast! 
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AT&T Locking Apple Interchangeable SIMs in iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 [Updated]
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This makes Verizon's move to opt out of the AppleSIM look even more stupid.
Since we now know it's possible for a carrier to lock the SIM, why didn't they go the same route as ATT? They are going to lose a lot of business because customers will choose one of the 3 supported carriers rather than go through the trouble of getting a VZ SIM.
They could have just pulled the same move as ATT and once the customer chose VZ locked them in. Same effect but less of a roadblock to the initial activation.
Since we now know it's possible for a carrier to lock the SIM, why didn't they go the same route as ATT? They are going to lose a lot of business because customers will choose one of the 3 supported carriers rather than go through the trouble of getting a VZ SIM.
They could have just pulled the same move as ATT and once the customer chose VZ locked them in. Same effect but less of a roadblock to the initial activation.
AT&T mobile customer for nearly 20 years here (through the cingular years and back again) and tablet data plan customer for three years. I just called AT&T to tell them I'll be visiting their competitors stores tonight and picking a new plan. I'm offended by this protectionist policy and Mark's arrogant response when asked "why?" It's too bad, I've been a happy AT&T customer for a very long time. This is ridiculous.
I'd encourage anyone else upset about this move to call AT&T as well.
I'd encourage anyone else upset about this move to call AT&T as well.
This would be DOPE!
And so Apple like.
I concur, and have been talking about this possibility with some of my techie friends since 2008. My original estimate of when Apple would decide to become their own MVNO was 2015/2016, however I think we will still have a little longer to go before we see this transition. I am however encouraged every time they put another piece in place that moves toward this eventuality.
For example a somewhat short list of technologies that they have added somewhat recently that would move them closer to enabling this eventuality; WiFi calling, FaceTime Audio calls, VoLTE, iMessage, moving toward a single device with world-wide LTE bands, and now this AppleSIM. Each piece moves toward making the device use the data network 100%. The last piece of the puzzle for Apple to figure out is how to manage offering subsidies / installment plans; and the even bigger challenge is how to transition people out of their current carrier subsidies / installment plans to Apple.
Even if they put all the technology in place to make this happen, I think at a minimum they will need to have this built into every cellular device they make for at least 3 generations. Thus they would be able to offer their entire current lineup (usually 3 generations back) on the new Apple MVNO system. Otherwise it will be a muddy mess of some things being sold in some stores, other things only being available from Apple, and uncertainty leading to people not knowing if/how they can switch to the Apple MVNO from their carrier.
Lastly, thanks for not quoting that whole wall of text.
-PopinFRESH
Agree. Likely they have a clause in their agreement. However, if enough people get pissed and turn it into a class action suit...
The device is still unlocked.
Only the SIM gets locked. Something that you can get replaced for free.
I've never paid for a SIM card in my life and don't plan on starting now.
After hours on the phone with AT&T, they were unable to activate my Air 2. They were clueless about the new SIM. I had to go to a retail store and install an AT&T SIM. The y gave me back the original, so I can switch plans if I want to. This took up 3 hours of my day. Idiots.
It's not theirs to lock. It doesn't matter if you can get a new SIM or not, that device does not belong to AT&T and neither does the SIM. Paying them for service doesn't mean they should be allowed to basically alter something they don't own to the point on non-functionality should you decide to not be their customer. It's really not that hard to understand.
AT&T will keep pulling junk like this as long as people keep giving them money. Speak with your dollars.
Their network. They didn't choose for Apple to make a new SIM card. In reality Apple should stay the crap out of the SIM card business anyway it's a waste of their time. If you don't like it don't use AT&T. It's really not that hard. And it doesn't make your device unusable just a throwaway consumable piece of tiny plastic that is free to replace. You give them authorization to lock it, hence the warning and the need to hit OK. Nobody is forcing you to hit OK. just say no.
If by "them" you mean the people selecting the option to activate the SIM to AT&T sue themselves, sure. You are agreeing to this functionality when you tap the accept button. You are giving them explicit permission to alter the SIM card in such a way when you agree to their terms of service during activation. If you don't want to do this then don't choose that option.
No, as it's illegal, but there is the internet and you can be more than welcome to search for that information yourself.
-PopinFRESH
They know that of course and are intentionally doing this so that if a customer re-activates service on that iPad later they will likely just use AT&T.
Total d!ckst!ck move.
Screenshot = Home + Power button.
Just sayin'...
what exactly are you "just saying'..."? Informing people how to take a screen shot? I'm not sure how that is relevant to the thread. Would you care to elaborate?
-PopinFRESH
Good to know. My iPads are only wifi. I figured if att gives out sims for phones they'd give then out for iPads, too. But I was basing that on my experience with the gophone sims.
Does a regular iPhone sim work in an ipad? I'm thinking maybe no based on your info.
No big deal. If you want to keep your Apple SIM unlocked, just take it out and get an AT&T SIM. No different than what Verizon customers have to do.
It's a frickin' SIM card. Who cares if they lock it? Just get another one when you go to the next vendor.
I think you're kind of missing the point. Yes, the EULA allows this. A EULA should not allow a company to alter something they don't own in a manner that the owner does not want them to. Just saying "don't use it" is precisely why AT&T has the amount of power and influence they have. People like you don't understand that there are a ton of people who don't have a choice. "Just a piece of plastic" is not the issue and you and others completely miss that. It may be their network, but it's not their device. The more that you let AT&T dick around with peoples devices the more they will try and lock people down. I don't care who's service I'm using, they shouldn't have the ability to disable or alter a device to make it not work on another companies service without the customer having to change things out. AT&T are doing this because they are an unscrupulous company and they want to try and force people that don't know any better to stay on their piss poor and overpriced service. Since they are in collusion with Verizon to try and dominate all the cell phone connectivity in this country, and are willing to lie through their teeth to do so, anything like this should be instantly stopped. They should have NO ability to alter any device that they didn't sell you. It's not theirs to alter no matter how big or small the alteration is.
i just picked up my new Air 2 w/ cellular (which doesn't say 2 anywhere on the box) i mentioned the sim locking to the apple salesperson and they had no idea. FYI they gave me a AT&T sim for free (they charge $5 for an additional apple sim) now with my verizon sim from my old ipad Air i can try all the carriers for the best speed.