We earlier reported that battle between Apple and its rival smartphone maker has broken out over the next generation nano-SIM standard – the future of SIM card – where Apple is seeking to lead its way with the approval from European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Over on this, the Finnish mobile maker giant Nokia, pointing out that why its own proposal would be better from its rival for consumers and be able to withstand usage.
The Cupertino company has offered “an unequivocal commitment to grant royalty-free licenses to any Apple patents essential to nano-SIM” according to a letter from Apple to the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) shared with FOSS Patents, as long as its design is the winning one.
Apple has raised the stakes in the battle over next-gen SIM cards, promising royalty-free licenses to any patents involved in its nano-SIM design if it is accepted, and even challenging Nokia and others to commit to the same. However, the commitment doesn’t take into account complaints other firms have around technical superiority.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is due to make its decision on the fate of the nano-SIM next week, but there have been issues raised over Apple’s use of a drawer for the SIM card. Nokia, Motorola and RIM have their own design, with holding significant technical advantages over the Apple’s own.
