Apple reportedly in talks to launch its own mobile virtual network service in the U.S. and Europe

Apple’s iPhone has become so common, so ubiquitous, that even Apple has recent gone to marketing to show why if you’re not using an iPhone, you’re really not using an iPhone (and should be). There’s no doubt that the iPhone, along with other products from the company, have given Apple a huge lead in the technology industry, so much so that even when they launch a smartwatch, it’s a device that a lot of people want to buy and use. But, according to a new report from Business Insider, the company is looking to expand its reach within the mobile industry by going a bit further than smartphones and tablets with LTE-connectivity. The report suggests that the company is looking to launch its own mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. That service would launch both in the United States and Europe at some point in the future. As a refresher, an MVNO is a service that works as a virtual carrier network, so that a company essentially leases the space necessary to use a network from already established carriers, like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, to sell that network access directly to the customer. In the United States, MVNOs include Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless and others.

If this pans out, and if a user were to switch to Apple’s MVNO, it would mean that a customer would be paying Apple for practically everything that comes with their smartphone — including texts, calls and data access. Instead of paying one carrier, though, Apple’s MVNO and the inclusion of the Apple SIM would mean that the smartphone (or tablet) could switch between carriers when necessary to get the best coverage possible.

As far as a launch window is concerned, the report indicates that Apple is looking into the future for this, and that even if it gets everything lined up, it could be close to five years before Apple launches it to the public. The report also notes that Apple has been in talks with wireless carriers for years now, suggesting its an “open secret” that a virtual network from the Cupertino-based carrier is on the way at some point.

Interestingly enough, with reports surfacing earlier on August 3 that Apple is working on “iCloud Voicemail,” which would use iCloud and Siri to transcribe voicemails, it could be a sign that Apple is indeed working on shifting away from the carriers proper, and looking to launch something of its own down the road. It’s also worth noting that Google is also working on its own MVNO, Project Fi, which it launched in an early test phase not too long ago.

Would you ditch your carrier for Apple’s MVNO?

[via iphonehacks]

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