In an interview with All Things Digital France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard has dicussed the upcoming iPhone and how Apple has been discouraged from using an e-SIM and instead to use an even smaller SIM card.

The original revelation came last week when another Orange executive revealed that Apple had submitted plans to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute for a new SIM card form factor that would be even smaller than the current micro-SIM.

According to Richards Apple had originally wanted to use an e-SIM but Orange reported told Apple it was a bad idea.

“All of us told [Apple] it was a bad idea because the SIM card is a critical piece of the security and authentication process,” Richard said. “It would be very difficult for a telco or carrier to manage the customer relationship. I think that they understood this point. We had a very constructive exchange and dialogue with them

in Apple’s quest for a smaller and thinner iPhone Richards said, “We are going to work with them in order to standardize a new format of SIM which takes into account our needs with security and authentication and also is compatible with their wishes in terms of size,” adding “I understood that the next iPhone would be smaller and thinner and they are definitely seeking some space”.

Parent company of Orange, France Telecom sells the iPhone in 15 countries around the world.