Micro SIMs: Telcos Show Their Greed
Summary: Telcos are artificially limiting the availability of micro SIMs to make customers pay for the most expensive mobile broadband plans.
The iPad 3G and 4th iPhone will use new micro SIM cards that are smaller than the current SIM card. Apple is probably using this format to squeeze out every tiny bit of space they can, especially for the next iPhone which will pack a larger battery in a similar footprint.
Fortunately, standard SIM cards can be cut down to size to fit the micro SIM format, as the contacts are electrically compatible. Want to know how to do that? Do a quick search on local forums!
For those who would like to go the proper route, the telcos are only offering micro SIM cards on their highest mobile broadband plans. M1 is charging $63.90 monthly, while StarHub is asking for a cool $72.76 monthly. Talk about expensive, especially when in most places, you’re not likely to hit the maximum 7.2 Mbps speed claimed.
Want a micro SIM on dual SIM plans, so that you can share your voice line’s data plan with your 3G iPad? You’re out of luck.
If you’re kinder to the telcos and want to pay the telcos for another mobile broadband plan? Sorry, no. You can’t have a micro SIM unless you buy the most expensive plan.
What the telcos should do is to offer the customer a choice of a standard or micro SIM card, regardless of their voice or mobile broadband plan. The SIMs probably cost the same to manufacture anyway.
