Samsung reportedly in talks with cell providers to launch new ‘e-SIM’ cards

With the launch of the latest iPad model, Apple debuted its own SIM card that allows users to choose between three different cell carriers and change service on-the-fly. Rumors that such a card could be included in the next iPhone appeared almost immediately, and now a new report confirms that Samsung and Apple are in talks with cellular carriers and other handset makers to bring this type of system to all cell phones.

The idea behind the talks is a universal standard for embedded SIM cards (“e-SIM”) that are built into the phone and not user accessible. These subscriber identity modules would allow customers to sign up for service on any network they wanted, then allow them to switch at any time (obviously with some limitations placed by the carriers).

With both Apple and Samsung engaged in these talks, this tech has the chance to become a truly universal standard across Android devices and the iPhone, unlike Apple’s current proprietary solution.

Mobile providers currently included in the talks are said to include AT&T, T-Mobile US parent company Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, Hutchison Whampoa, and Telefónica. Whether other carriers will get on board remains to be seen, but if future phones are going to debut with this technology, it seems like a wise move on their part.

Plans for the e-SIM haven’t been finalized yet, but the group working on the standard hopes to have it rolled out some time in 2016.