Telstra confirms eSIM support
Telstra will offer a single number service for buyers of upcoming wearables.
While it was widely tipped that Apple would release an LTE-enabled version of its Apple Watch at its launch event that also saw the debut of the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and Apple TV 4K, it wasn't entirely clear how the technology giant would incorporate a SIM card into its watch product.
Other vendors have opted for a nano-SIM, such as Huawei with the Huawei Watch 2, but Apple opted instead for its own eSIM standard. That's a solid state solution that has no removable SIM card at all, and while it has offered that on some iPhone models in the US, it's never been seen here in Australia. Still, with both Optus and Telstra listed as immediate launch partners, and Vodafone to follow, clearly some kind of agreement was in place, or would need to be.
Telstra has announced that it will commence E-SIM support with what it's calling Telstra One Number. As the name suggests, it means that while you technically have two SIMs in play, the one calling number you have will forward directly to your mobile device as well as compatible wearable device.
Telstra's announcement doesn't specifically namecheck the Apple Watch Series 3, and it's quite feasible that it may bring the technology to other products, but that would seem to be the most obvious first candidate. Telstra hasn't announced what pricing, if any it would attach to Telstra One Number, but it did state that it will at first be available for post-paid consumer plans, with business and pre-paid plan offerings to follow.
Apple is often quite strict around what partner companies are allowed to announce, so it's likely we'll find out more when the Apple Watch Series 3 goes on pre-sale on 15 September, including the very likely prospect of Telstra Apple Watch Series 3 plans.
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