I guess the biggest question in everyone’s mind when they woke up this morning is “What the heck is a 3G Micro SIM?” I was going “huh?!?!” when Steve Jobs announces that their new Tablet, the iPad, will have a 3G option which uses 3G Micro SIM. Something tells me that my Singtel BroadBand on Mobile SIM card and the phone SIM card will not be compatible with the new iPad.
The 3G Micro SIM is different from the SIM card we are using now. It’s 1.2 x 1.5 cm and about 52% smaller. The Micro SIM is also called the 3rd Form Factor (3FF) SIM card. The first form factor was the credit size SIM card. (I still remember my dad’s first handphone was using that) The 2nd form factor is the standard SIM card that we are using currently.
The biggest question in my mind now is why would Apple choose to use the Micro SIM instead of the normal 2FF SIM which everyone has? The only advantage that I can see on the Micro SIM is the size. But the iPad is so big, it doesn’t need to save on that few centimeters. I would understand if Apple choose to adopt this new standard on their iPhone. But why on the iPad? You will most likely have upgraded to the next generation iPad before the Micro SIM becomes an industry standard. (That is, IF it becomes a standard to begin with) The only sense I see in adopting Micro SIM is so that people will subscribe another data line from the Telcos. Other than that, I see no benefits in using the 3G Micro SIM for iPad.
So who carries the 3G Micro SIM in Singapore? Currently, it seems like none of the 3 local telcos have it yet. But don’t worry. You can be sure that they will stock up on 3G Micro SIM within 90 days to be ready for the iPad’s arrival.
PS: I was reading back at my yesterday’s post on the Apple Tablet. Wow, I’m so off the mark. And seriously? It’s going to be called the iPad? Really? Apple iPad? Then what is going to happen to HP iPaq?
on Jan 28th, 2010 at 1:50 PM
You are assuming that iPad will be available from all 3 Singapore Telco. What is preventing Apple Singapore to sign another exclusive deal with Singtel for the iPad?
For all you know, Apple might have already informed its preferred partner to stock up on these 3FF SIMs leaving no stock for the rest of the telcos to order.
This 3FF SIM is really evil. It enables the telco to ensure that the broadband package they sell to you can only be used on the iPad and nothing else, since this is the only device in the market supporting it. This means you can just take the SIM card and pop it into a USB modem or a phone to tether.
All this about an “unlocked” device is hypocrisy to the max.
on Jan 28th, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Oops. I meant “_can’t_ just take the SIM card and pop it into a USB modem or a phone to tether.”
Not going to stay up late for Apple’s announcements again.
on Jan 28th, 2010 at 2:01 PM
CK: I don’t think it will be exclusive to any of the Telcos here in Singapore. Doesn’t make sense when there is a non-3G version.
It’s a matter of time before USB modem starts having Micro SIM version. The question is how long? And in the meantime, everyone will have to get another SIM card + data plan just for this because their existing 3G Data SIM can’t work with it. Let’s hope the multi-SIM plan have a Micro SIM option.
It seems to me that the decision to adopt Micro SIM is more for commercial reasons.
on Jan 28th, 2010 at 3:14 PM
I wonder whether there will be a micro-SIM adapter much like the microSD card adapter which we can use to plug the microSD card into a regular SD card slot. That will solve a lot of problems.
on Jan 28th, 2010 at 11:10 PM
All this talk doesn’t really matter. You’re going to use this device around the home (there’s wi-fi right?)
You’re going to use it at Starbucks (there’s wi-fi right? Wireless@Sg is everywhere).
You’re going to use at school. (wi-fi too)
You’re going to use it to travel (oh wait. 3G data roaming costs an arm and a leg. Are you sure you’ll want to browse the web on 3G?)
So suddenly… when you open up your mind and be objective about what your usage will be like with a device such as the iPad, squabbling over what micro SIM card is and who will stock what, when… or why…. is completely irrelevant. Well, at least for most users (me included).
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 12:56 AM
Kenny Teoh: Well, if you are just going to use it at home, then the WIFI version will be good enough for you. But if you are going to bring it out, then the 3G version would be better. There are always places where there is no WIFI. MRT is 1. Plus Wireless@sg can be unreliable at some places.
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 11:30 AM
[...] & Songs – The Long and Winding Road: Psst … guess who dropped in today? – Dee Kay Dot As Gee: 3G Micro SIM – The Lycan Times: Humor – iPad – Flying Low: 3D Football – Singapore Fountain Pen: Asia 360 [...]
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 12:38 PM
The Micro SIM card will be the new mobile future standard, and some argue that at one point someone has to start and be the first to implement it, otherwise it would never become a standard.
However me personally I think the iPad uses the Micro SIM simply to avoid any other TelCos of providing bundles or iPad offers that are not agreed with Apple. Its a simple way of avoiding “hacking” because different to jailbraking or the iPhone, its hardware restricted and there is now way of getting around it besides… buying the Micro SIM card.
Peace
AngryAngMo´s last blog ..The complete Apple iPad Guide for Singapore (Prices / Shipping / Specs)
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 2:38 PM
The telcos here seem to be exploring the option of supporting the micro SIM. Page 3 of Straits Times together with the iPad article.
on Jan 30th, 2010 at 10:58 AM
[...] & Songs – The Long and Winding Road: Psst … guess who dropped in today? – Dee Kay Dot As Gee: 3G Micro SIM – The Lycan Times: Humor – iPad – Flying Low: 3D Football – Singapore Fountain Pen: Asia 360 [...]
on Jan 30th, 2010 at 10:58 AM
[...] & Songs – The Long and Winding Road: Psst … guess who dropped in today? – Dee Kay Dot As Gee: 3G Micro SIM – The Lycan Times: Humor – iPad – Flying Low: 3D Football – Singapore Fountain Pen: Asia 360 [...]
on Jan 30th, 2010 at 10:27 PM
I agree that the MicroSIM is another way of SIM locking. IF I actually bought an iPad, it would be for its mobile capabilities. Like an iPhone, you could use Wi-Fi wherever you could get online (Wireless SG, for all that’s worth). But more often than not, you’ll be checking email or reading/surfing the net. Trust me on this because whenever I’m in SG (I live in the US), I use a StarHub Green SIM that fine enough for voice/SMS but charges waaaay too much for data usage. Whenever I’m waiting for the MRT or the bus and want to kill time, not having a data connection or paying through the nose for data really blows. As a result, I don’t use it for that. If iPad had a standard SIM slot, I could buy a prepaid 3G data card from StarHub or M1. But I can’t so I’ll wont (pick up an iPad).
abraxis´s last blog ..Damn Fast (and Damn Nice)
on Jan 31st, 2010 at 2:13 AM
abraxis: Good point. Travelers who want to use pre-paid data card will have a hard time trying to find a MicroSIM. I doubt any pre-paid card will come in MicroSIM, at least not for the next few years.
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 11:00 AM
[...] – Engadget: Apple iPad: The definitive guide (so far) – Dee Kay Dot As Gee: 3G Micro SIM – TheChromeSource: Google Shows Off its Tablet Concept – SGEntrepreneurs: Fusion Garage vs iPad, [...]
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:41 PM
erm… about tethering… doesn’t like the iPhone already support it built in? i’m using that when i’m outside with my macbook so i don’t really see the diff
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 2:31 AM
Shawn: Yes, iPhone 3.0 firmware supports tethering. The problem is, in the US, this feature was disabled by AT&T until recently when they allows it if you pay $20 per month.
Which is why I’m saying that we are very lucky to be in Singapore.