https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/20/17264022/department-of-justice-att-verizon-gsma-esim-investigation

The US Department of Justice has reportedly opened an antitrust investigation to determine whether AT&T, Verizon, and mobile industry group GSM Association (GSMA) colluded to prevent consumers from easily switching carriers with devices that support eSIM, according to The New York Times. All four major carriers received requests for information about the investigation, according to CNBC.

The Times reports that the DOJ "demanded" details from the three over potential steps taken to impede the adoption of eSIM, which lets wireless customers switch carriers without requiring a physical SIM card to be inserted. AT&T and Verizon are accused of working with GSMA to develop standards that would allow them to keep devices locked to their networks, even if it used eSIM technology. An unnamed device maker and mystery wireless carrier complained to the Justice Department, which led to the investigation. Additional device makers and wireless companies reportedly added to those complaints, The New York Times says.