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AT&T Rolling Out LTE Micro-SIM Cards, Sparking Speculation on iPad 3 Link

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Apr 12, 2001
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att_lte_micro_sim_1.jpg

Phone Arena reports that AT&T has begun supplying its retailers with LTE-compatible micro-SIM cards, requesting that existing micro-SIM stocks be scrapped in favor of the new ones supporting the latest networks offering faster data speeds. The obvious explanation for the shift is the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900 next month, but speculation naturally also turns to Apple's plans for its upcoming devices.

att_lte_micro_sim_2.jpg

Phone Arena suggests that the LTE-enabled micro-SIM cards could eventually be used in the iPhone 5, but the much nearer term launch for Apple is the iPad 3, which has been rumored to offer support for LTE. So while the new micro-SIM cards may not be appearing solely for the iPad 3, it is interesting to note that they are now available on AT&T should Apple launch an iPad 3 with LTE capabilities.

Update: AT&T spokesman Seth Bloom notes that the Pantech Breeze and Element already utilize the LTE micro-SIM card on the carrier's network.

Article Link: AT&T Rolling Out LTE Micro-SIM Cards, Sparking Speculation on iPad 3 Link
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/10/att-rolling-out-lte-micro-sim-cards-sparking-speculation-on-ipad-3-link/
If the iPad 3 can support the Verizon & AT&T networks on the same model, that would be a huge selling point, for me.
 
It clearly states that these new Micro Sims are to REPLACE the old Micro Sims which did not support LTE. Meaning from here on out, whether you have an LTE device or not, if it uses a Micro SIM, it will be one of these, for simplicity's sake. Makes perfect sense.

The timing also makes perfect sense since the Nokia Lumia launches in a month with Micro SIM & LTE capability.

What doesn't make sense is assuming this has anything to do with iPad 3.
 
I think this has more to do with AT&T having existing and upcoming LTE phones (Pantech Burst and Nokia 900) that use micro-SIM cards than it does the possibility of new iDevices supporting LTE.
 
the new pantech burst is an lte phone which takes a micro sim...most likely what this is for
 
Obvious

As said, obvious for the Nokia Lumia 900 for next month. So, let's keep it at that. Not everything needs to be interpreted to be about Apple.
 
motoleo said:
It's about to be on. Image
Click to expand...

No, its really not. As much as I wish this next iPad would be all about LTE, it probably won't be.

The new low power LTE chips are just now rolling off the assembly line. This would enable Apple to delay the launch of WiFi+LTE iPad 3 for a month or so past the launch of iPad 3 WiFi....

...but that doesn't do anything to change the availability of LTE to Apple's customers. Currently I believe its faaarrrr too low for Apple to go after it. I believe LTE will debut in iPhone 6 later this year.
 
Really?
Sorry but I do not see this as proof of LTE on the iPad 3. I see it as AT&T updating there Sims all to the same thing and modern standard they are using.
Sorry boys and girls this is not proof of LTE going into the iPad 3.
 
One good news is that Apple will push and make sure the next iPhone will support LTE. But it's hilarious that this is even speculated to have something to do with the upcoming iPad which has been grinding in Foxconn factories a few weeks ago. Let's pace ourselves.
 
Rogers in Canada did this a few weeks back. It just makes more sense to have two kinds of SIM's instead of four. LTE Micro, LTE Regular. Instead of LTE Regular & Micro and HSPA+ micro and regular. Less SKU's and inventory to keep track of. Plus more than just iPhone/iPad use microSIM now.
 
pmz said:
It clearly states that these new Micro Sims are to REPLACE the old Micro Sims which did not support LTE. Meaning from here on out, whether you have an LTE device or not, if it uses a Micro SIM, it will be one of these, for simplicity's sake. Makes perfect sense.

The timing also makes perfect sense since the Nokia Lumia launches in a month with Micro SIM & LTE capability.

What doesn't make sense is assuming this has anything to do with iPad 3.
Click to expand...

Yeah, wake me up when Verizon switches to microSIM LTE cards.
 
Why exactly does an LTE phone need a different kind of SIM card? Is there something different about the protocol? I was able to use the same T-Mobile SIM card for 10 years, from GSM (no data) to GRPS/EDGE, 3G/UMTS and HSPA. I think that was also the case for AT&T.

----------
BenRoethig said:
It would be the same physical model, but with how carrier focused the US telecom regs are, they'll be locked to one or the other.
Click to expand...

The current AT&T iPads are not SIM-locked. Granted, the Verizon models are locked to Verizon, but the AT&T model can be used on T-Mobile, albeit on 2G only because it doesn't support the AWS frequencies.
 
What about the data limits?

I still can't see why people are getting excited about LTE for the iPad with the draconian data limits and pricing. At current rates LTE just means you get to your 2GB limit faster.

LTE without reasonably priced data (unlimited or whatever) just doesn't make sense on an iPad.

FWIW
DLM
 
pmz said:
No, its really not. As much as I wish this next iPad would be all about LTE, it probably won't be.

The new low power LTE chips are just now rolling off the assembly line. This would enable Apple to delay the launch of WiFi+LTE iPad 3 for a month or so past the launch of iPad 3 WiFi....

...but that doesn't do anything to change the availability of LTE to Apple's customers. Currently I believe its faaarrrr too low for Apple to go after it. I believe LTE will debut in iPhone 6 later this year.
Click to expand...

Care for a friendly wager ;-)

LTE is coming to at least the VZW version of the next iPad. This much I know and given that it's likely a single platform for both carriers, it stands to reason it's coming to AT&T at the same time.

This perceived lack of LTE chips and network isn't keeping HTC and Samsung from selling the heck out of their 4G devices.
 
Does mac rumors get paid every time they mention AT&T or somthing? Lol

Joking aside, I agree with what others have said. I really don't think this can be linked to the next iPad. The next iPad might use these cards but the iPad is probably not the reason for the change. Someth
 
I thought the ATT iPad 3 was jumping past LTE and using the new super secret ATT Quantum Entanglement Device standard. The new ATT QED (Not to be confused with Quantum Electro Dynamics) "Tower" is at the bottom of an old gold mine somewhere in Colorado. This tower will also be used for communications with the next Mars rover.

When asked about the speed, ATT reported, "Unfortunately, with the first generation, files will finish downloading only about three seconds before the download begins."
 
Not everything has to be about Apple. These are for the Pantech Burst which is already on sale, an LTE phone, and takes a micro sim card!
 
Name

Prediction: It will be called the iPad 2S. And I will be very tempted to get one...
 
igazza said:
I thought Apple was waiting for lower powered LTE chips?
Click to expand...

For phones, yes, but since the iPad has a bigger battery it might get LTE first. That said, the Retina Display will also sap power unless Apple resorts to OLED (unlikely for now).
 
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