Apple in Talks to Launch Its Own Mobile Network

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Posted August 3, 2015 at 5:23pm by Shalom Levytam

Apple is in talks to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service in the US and Europe, reports Business Insider.

Sources close to Apple say the company is privately trialling an MVNO service in the US but is also in talks with telecoms companies in Europe about bringing the service there too. An MVNO is a virtual carrier network that sees technology companies lease space from established carriers and sell it to customers directly.

If launched, users would be able to insert an Apple SIM into their devices and subscribe directly for data, calls, and texts. Apple would then intelligently switch between towers from different carriers to provide customers with the best possible service.

Sources say that Apple is looking down the road with its MVNO and it could take five years to fully launch the service. It's reportedly been in talks with telecoms for years already.

Notably, Google recently launched a MVNO of its own dubbed 'Project Fi'. However, it's only available to Nexus 6 users.

Earlier today, plans for an iCloud Voicemail service were leaked which would take care of one more function needed for Apple to launch its own network.

Let us know in the comments if an Apple mobile network is something you'd be interested in. You can follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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Apple in Talks to Launch Its Own Mobile Network

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gamerscul9870 - August 4, 2015 at 9:31pm

The title suggested it was rumors about it since they heard about Apple sim, but this was recently mentioned Apple denied on mobile network.

chavanow - August 4, 2015 at 7:38am

I am very interested in the Apple MVNO service. Living in Europe btw.

zib - August 4, 2015 at 6:18am

It wouldn't really be competition since they would buy all the services from existing carriers. The carriers would probably make more money from this since if you got Apple you would for example roam between Verizon and ATT.. So they would both get some $.

paulMOGG - August 4, 2015 at 12:32am

Sure would be very interested

Vang - August 4, 2015 at 12:24am

Competition is always a good thing.

prostovank - August 4, 2015 at 12:22am

Why don't we have 3 way facetime audio calls yet?

gamerscul9870 - August 4, 2015 at 12:23am

Think of it like multitasking on the iPad for iOS 9. Maybe that's the reason.

Mas22 - August 3, 2015 at 9:29pm

I thought the future is "e-sim" ? Which means no sim card, or am I not understanding what an e-sim is?

gamerscul9870 - August 3, 2015 at 9:32pm

I think it's best to wait for Apple to announce all about it to find out if you're right about either choices of what's mentioned. My guess is the second.

Mas22 - August 3, 2015 at 9:16pm

Any improvement to ATT is a plus. Nothing like competition to wake up the sleeping giants.

rahilxx98 - August 3, 2015 at 7:06pm

That's gonna be awesome!

ProjectFI - August 3, 2015 at 6:36pm

The service you are explaining above is already on the market. That is "ProjectFI".

dkdk - August 3, 2015 at 6:33pm

I personally couldn't care less, all I care about is reliability and cost.

gamerscul9870 - August 3, 2015 at 6:06pm

all but T-Mobile. They know how carriers trick them into things. I would love to see Apple rival T-Mobile.

gamerscul9870 - August 3, 2015 at 6:05pm

They may be unbeatable at anything and late at this, but I'm not too sure on this one. A service that can somehow rival the likes of T-Mobile that takes years to even grow coverage. Hard to tell if I should be excited for this or just stay with the uncarrier.

The iDevice Pro - August 3, 2015 at 6:43pm

They don't have to rival anyone. They are going to be an MVNO, not their own network. What that means is that they will use other service providers' towers for their own service like Straight Talk, NET10, Page Plus, Simple Mobile, and all other MVNO's do. I imagine they will use Verizon's network...maybe AT&T's. Definitely not T-Mobile, Sprint or US Cellular, because of poor coverage.

The iDevice Pro - August 3, 2015 at 6:49pm

That's what Apple does. It takes what is out there and doesn't make it better...but the best it can be. I am VERY excited about this for the simple fact that the major problem with MVNO carriers is small data packages, and even on "unlimited" data packages from MVNO's, they bump you down to edge data after a certain allotment of LTE or 3G...whichever the case may be. Everything Apple that is internet based is "i" something...and I believe this will be an Internet-based MVNO, which means the best data packages out there once implemented. It's about time!!!

gamerscul9870 - August 3, 2015 at 7:05pm

Rmobile coverage is actually decent. I use them anywhere I go and get light speed lte with 4/5 or full bars anywhere I went by far at anytime.

The iDevice Pro - August 3, 2015 at 8:09pm

Decent isn't what Apple does. They for the best. I'm not dissing your network choice, I'm simply saying Apple will choose the best, and that choice will most likely not be T-Mobile

gamerscul9870 - August 3, 2015 at 8:33pm

I know Apple will do it better for the obvious, but for T-Mobile alone, that's what I mean. They're decent, but that's just what I think of them in other words, my opinion.

The iDevice Pro - August 3, 2015 at 6:01pm

Finally!!!!!

justabrake - August 3, 2015 at 5:39pm

Should of been done 4-5 years ago by apple ! A little late IMO ..... But bring it since you don't have anything to run on besides the iPhone Not like google exploring every avenue !