Despite lackluster support from major carrier partners, Apple’s carrier-agnostic Apple SIM demonstrated its potential today with the announcement that GigSky — “the first global mobile network designed for travelers” — will offer short-term iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 cellular data plans in over 90 countries and territories. “Now there’s no need to pick-up a local SIM, hunt for Wi-Fi, or travel in fear of excessive data roaming charges,” GigSky explained. “iPad users can choose a GigSky data plan upon arrival right from their iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 with Apple SIM installed, and easily connect to family and friends, stay in touch and share their travel.”
GigSky’s list of countries notably covers much of North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, with patchier offerings across South America, Asia, and Africa. Data prices vary dramatically by location. For instance, plans for Puerto Rico include 40MB/3 days ($10), 200MB/7 days ($25), 400MB/14 days ($35), and 1GB/30 days ($50), while data packages are markedly lower (20MB/80MB/120MB/250MB) for the same prices and durations in Canada.
According to GigSky, Apple will make Apple SIM available in 10 additional countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey “over the coming weeks.”
