Apple's grip on the iPhone Ecosystem could be mounting if their latest patent filling is anything to go by.
A interesting Apple patent surface online today, which appears to show that Apple are planning or at least considering establishing a Cupertino-based cellular network of sorts.
Called Mobile Virtual Operator, the patent outlines how Steve Jobs and co could set up a system that will allow Apple to create a virtual cellular network from existing carriers.
It is not outside the realms of possibility your next iPhone could be powered by the Apple cellular network that offers a unified seamless system across countries and borders.
If you look at the image above you can get an idea of what Apple wants to see one day. At the helm are Apple and its MVNO server, which connects through three separate interfaces to three separate Network Operators, which will presumably would be traditional phone networks.
For the system to work Apple would have to create a central database which would store all the networks' customer simcard details and records.
From our untrained eye it would seem that Apple would want to introduce another layer above the cellular network. To what end we're not sure, but it would give Apple ultimate control over the network and the phones on that network.
In theory the system would allow for users to seamlessly piggyback on multiple carriers seamlessly, depending network loads and outages. It would be a godsend for those of you who struggle with ropey network coverage.
It's unclear whether Apple is actually doing anything with the concept, as the patent was filed in 2006 - and was simply extended today.
But in principal it would provide a universal network that would provide a seamless and smooth user experience, which as many of you know - would be a godsend.