Here’s Why Apple’s First eSIM-only iPhone 14 Could Be a Disaster for Most Carriers!

Although the iPhone 14 series of flagship smartphones have been the talk of the town long ago before its launch, no one was talking about the new feature they came with. We mean the eSIM connectivity option. However, as usually happens, this is going to become a turning point for the smartphone industry.

On the one hand, this is a better and more advanced connectivity technology. But on the other hand, it also brings many difficulties and challenges. The latter includes new difficulties such as digital customer experience, onboarding, roaming, privacy and security management, and promotional switching. As for the other part, carriers have to revise the way they promote their 5G networks.

Why eSIM Brings Many Difficulties To Small Carriers

Emma Mohr-McClune, Technology Service Director at GlobalData, comments: “Back in January of this year, we were the first to predict that the future iPhone 14 model would be launched with an eSIM-only variant, but back then surprisingly few global carriers wanted to think through the full competitive consequences of such a scenario.

For carriers outside the US, the first eSIM-only iPhone launch in the US is a clear signal of what’s coming to carriers everywhere, and now sooner rather than later. US carriers no longer have the luxury of waiting out the eSIM market; they’ll have to deal with the eSIM-only iPhone 14, whether they like it or not. Some are arguably better prepared than others, but many of the smaller, local and prepaid carriers – including smaller players serving the business community – are facing a furious game of catch-up.”

However, everything will change soon. Carriers that do not have a large customer base but want to sell the iPhone 14 should make modifications. Otherwise, they will appear out of the competition.

In this regard, analysts at globaldata think that many carriers will launch eSIM Test Drive offers soon. Thus, they will commence inviting their users to ‘test drive’ a carrier’s network for free. But the iPhone 14 is among those devices that provide eSIM support. So most likely, users will wish to participate in the test drives.