Apple Developing Custom Built-In SIM Card for iPhone?

Apple partnered with Gemalto (digital security firm) to create a custom SIM card. Such card will be integrated into the iPhone as a built-in chip, which will contain subscriber identification information for carriers and allow users to activate their devices with a broad array of carriers. The new device will be of most use in Europe, where there are many competitive carriers operating on similar technologies.

The SIM card chip will include an upgradeable flash component and a ROM area. The ROM area contains data provided by Gemalto. The flash component will receive the carrier related data (different settings, for example, the Internet settings).