Traveling during the digital age means that you must have the option to be connected to the internet at all times and not just so that you can send pictures back home or post updates of your adventures on social media.
You will need it to use maps, complete payments, or look up information about the places you’re going to see.
And since you cannot rely on Wi-Fi connections from the spots you visit since they can be slow or unreliable, it’s best to leave home with a SIM card that can provide you with spotless connectivity no matter where you are. Here’s everything you need to know about these devices.
What is an eSIM?
When you’re looking for a solution that provides seamless connectivity during your travels, you will most likely come across eSIMS.
But what exactly are these devices? An eSIM is an industry-standard SIM that lets users activate a data plan for Europe without using a physical SIM.
Instead of a removable card made from polyvinyl chloride, an eSIM is software installed on an eUICC that is attached to the device forever.
Most eSIMs can be reprogrammed with new SIM information if you need to change, but there are also variations that have the information embedded during the manufacturing process and cannot be changed.
All the eSIMS get a permanent ID right from the factory, which is used to associate the card with a device and discuss the use of secure challenges for programming. There are many different types of sSIMS out there, all carrying various types of functionality and coming with their own advantages and downsides.
For instance, some eSIMS only work on certain phones or only work on devices that use SIMS from the same carriers.
Some variants are also bound by geography and can offer limited functionality in other countries or regions and there are also eSIMS that force the users to undergo system reboots anytime they want to switch to another eSIM model.
All of these differences are precisely why it is crucial to do your research before getting your eSIM to make sure you’re getting the right thing that will work adequately in the area you’ll visit so that you don’t run into any trouble along the way.
Additional Concerns
You may be wondering if your smartphone is even compatible with eSIM usage at all. The good news is that so long as your phone was released post-2018, chances are that it will be able to support this connectivity.
Nonetheless, you must still ensure you’re not locked to a specific network, as you will have to contact your provider first to remedy the situation.
What will happen next is that your network provider will either be able to unlock your phone right away or request an unlock code that will be issued to you, along with specific instructions on how to unlock your device.
Some jurisdictions have made it illegal for providers to sell locked devices, and they must unlock your phone for free on demand.
Other countries require the payment of a fee or the balance that is part of a contract if the phone was purchased as part of such a plan. You don’t have to worry about needing a different eSIM for every country you visit, as the devices are suitable for worldwide use.
Therefore, even if you want to hop from one country to the next, you can do so without concerns regarding whether you have to look for a different eSIM or choose a different plan.
The Benefits
The first and most straightforward advantage of using an eSIM is that you can store more than one at any given time. This naturally provides you with more flexibility and greater digital freedom, as you can switch data plans on and off to fit your personal requirements.
There’s also no need to manage several physical cards since all the information is stored directly through the digital medium. Physical SIM cards can also become damaged or lost, but this is a thing of the past when it comes to using eSIMS.
If your device is stolen or you forget it somewhere but just can’t remember where it can be located with the help of the “find my phone” services.
A physical card can be removed, meaning you can no longer localize the smartphone, but the eSIM is part of the device and can never be detached.
There’s also no risk of damaging the delicate sockets of the phone by inserting or removing a SIM card, and there’s no need to create the hardware necessary to support the cards on newer devices.
This is particularly helpful if you want to add an eSIM to another smaller device as well, such as an eSIM.
How to Use
Using an eSIM abroad isn’t a complicated endeavor at all. After making sure that your phone is compatible with the eSIM connectivity, you need to activate it from your device, something you can either do by scanning a QR code that your provider will obtain for you or entering the details manually.
Once activated, you will see the eSIM appear on your cellular plan list. If you are already a physical SIM user, you just need to switch it from your phone settings and go for the eSIM option that you want to use.
Depending on where you’re planning to travel, you might want to choose a carrier plan that is different compared to the one you use regularly.
The eSIM allows you to move between different carrier plans without the need to swap the cards themselves, and you can also complete this step directly from your phone settings. After adding the new cellular plan and activating it, you are ready to start traveling.
The eSIM is an accessible and hassle-free way to enjoy connectivity regardless of where you are in the world.
It is easy to set up even on your own, connects you to the best networks, and removes the additional costs that come with using roaming or endlessly searching for Wi-Fi networks that may not even be secure. Ahead of your next trip, make sure to take eSIMs into account.
