AT&T, Verizon Communications under US scrutiny over mobile technology

Carriers may have colluded to make switching harder for users

AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. are under investigation by US antitrust officials over whether the companies colluded to make it tougher for consumers to switch wireless carriers, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Apple Inc., a pioneer in the eSIM technology that makes switching easier, was joined by other equipment makers in complaining to the government about the carriers’ practices, two other people with knowledge of the matter said. The department issued demands to the companies and the GSMA, a mobile industry standards group, for information on possible collusion, said the people, who asked not to be named