1&1: Activation of eSIMs for Apple Watch temporarily disrupted
The mobile provider 1&1 allows you to use tariffs directly with the Apple Watch. However, this is currently not possible for technical reasons.
Telephony with an Apple Watch: nothing works without eSIM.
(Image: Apple)
Anyone currently trying to add a mobile phone tariff from the major German network operator 1&1 to an Apple Watch will fail. The company confirmed this to Mac & i on request. Previously, there had already been complaints in the official Apple forum and in emails from readers. According to this, every attempt fails with the notification "Your 1&1 account is not authorized to activate cellular on the Apple Watch". This has been going on for several days, the first reports are at least a week old.
Network component failed
According to 1&1, the problem is due to a "malfunction of a network component" that affects "some Apple Watch users". They are unable to install the necessary eSIM profile on the computer watch. "Our experts have localized the error, the fault clearance has already been initiated and should be completed by Thursday," the statement said. The company apologizes for the inconvenience to the customers affected. The 1&1 customer service can be contacted for further questions.
It initially remained unclear which specific network component was disrupted. Apparently, 1&1 was not initially sure what exactly the problem was – According to user reports, the company's hotline did not initially receive a fault report, which is why users had to try various tricks themselves. These included unpairing and re-pairing the Apple Watch and resetting it – - a completely unnecessary, time-consuming process in hindsight.
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Speculation about the 5G switchover
1&1 is currently converting its infrastructure to its own 5G operation ("1&1 5G network") and is therefore also replacing SIM cards including eSIMs. Speculation has therefore arisen that these may only be 5G-capable in the future, but that the Apple Watch will still operate in LTE mode. Whether this was the case was not initially confirmed by 1&1 –, but it would be surprising as various older phones are still only in circulation in LTE mode.
Instead, it said: "Like many other wearables, the Apple Watch is of course compatible with the 1&1 Multi-Card and the 1&1 O-RAN." O-RAN stands for OpenRAN, the technology-open radio access network. According to 1&1, it supports 5G and LTE, meaning that "Apple Watches with LTE should generally not experience any restrictions". At least from Thursday.
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