eSims, what is your experience.

[anat0l]

Just took the plunge into eSIMs by changing carriers, but opting to port my old physical SIM to an eSIM (much faster than having to wait for delivery, which would be very much delayed thanks to Alfred).

Was concerned with a heightened risk of SIM spoofing, until I read around and realised that the risk is pretty much the same even for physical SIMs.

While it's certainly more convenient, I think when I flip to another carrier, I will opt for a physical SIM so that I can have my active eSIM spot free for use abroad as needed.

 

[SYD]

Just took the plunge into eSIMs by changing carriers, but opting to port my old physical SIM to an eSIM (much faster than having to wait for delivery, which would be very much delayed thanks to Alfred).

Was concerned with a heightened risk of SIM spoofing, until I read around and realised that the risk is pretty much the same even for physical SIMs.

While it's certainly more convenient, I think when I flip to another carrier, I will opt for a physical SIM so that I can have my active eSIM spot free for use abroad as needed.

How old / new is your phone? Most modern phones support multiple eSIMs and you can have two lines active at the same time ie 2x eSIMs or 1x eSIM + 1x SIM.

 

[kevrosmith]

WANDER15 is also a current promo code for 15% off for Airalo

 

[CaptainCurtis]

30% off Simify/SimsDirect, although it appears they've increased their list prices which negates part of the discount. I used an unlimited data esim from them for a recent 6 week trip in the US, and it worked seamlessly.

 

[anat0l]

How old / new is your phone? Most modern phones support multiple eSIMs and you can have two lines active at the same time ie 2x eSIMs or 1x eSIM + 1x SIM.

I have a Galaxy S22+, which isn't the latest and greatest but not exactly museum age yet.

My search may have been poor but I was lead to believe that only 1 eSIM could be active at a time (can store multiple, but need to switch between them manually).

 

[Scarlett]

Got caught out by ‘Always Mobile’ eSIM.

I had a 20GB/30days sim for Indonesia and whilst it worked well I think they’ve been deliberately deceptive:
I checked out as much as I could about Always and they appear to be a Canadian company, with their T&Cs indicating Canadian law is relevant for any issues. However, upon connecting in Indonesia, the entry point to the www was via HK Telecom (Hong Kong).
I had discarded any of the Chinese based sellers when looking for the eSIM I wanted, so not particularly happy to have seen that touting point for all my data. ymmv.

 

[Scarlett]

On another matter, we’re heading to Norfolk Island for Easter. Looks like the only option is Norfolk Telecom for data whilst there and that with a $30 tourist sim rather than being able to have an eSIM set up before arrival.

Actually I see there’s a $10 1GB data only sim that might do for the five days we’re on the island.

 

[SYD]

Has anyone tried Firsty?

Firsty: Top eSIM Travel App for Global Mobile Data & Connectivity

Explore Firsty, the best eSIM app for international travel. Stay connected globally with our mobile data app, designed for hassle-free travel. Get the app!

www.firsty.app

I noticed it comparing prices on eSIMDB. They offer “free” (watch an ad) for basic connective for messaging, Uber, email, Nav - worldwide / no expiry.

As well as full access for a fee. Starts at €1 pd but by the looks, you need to go to €2.5 pd (which isn’t cheap) for tethering and decent data speeds.

 

[moa999]

Used Firsty for an overnight in Singapore. Basically watched ad on airport Wifi. That plus another ad during the Grab was enough to get me to hotel and WiFi. Rinse and repeat on the way back.

Don't think the continually watching ads is worth it for longer stays, and as you say otherwise their paid plans aren't great.

--

Midway through a trip.com Mainland China SIM and it's been great (paid A$10 or so for 20GB/ 7 days). Mostly 5G speeds on China Mobile and had decent data connection at the crowded F1 event, unlike people on Airalo, and roaming on their Euro carriers. Exit point in HK so relatively close and all the banned mainland apps (Google, meta etc) work fine.. as do the Chinese payment apps.

 

[SYD]

Used Firsty for an overnight in Singapore. Basically watched ad on airport Wifi. That plus another ad during the Grab was enough to get me to hotel and WiFi. Rinse and repeat on the way back.

Don't think the continually watching ads is worth it for longer stays, and as you say otherwise their paid plans aren't great.

--

Midway through a trip.com Mainland China SIM and it's been great (paid A$10 or so for 20GB/ 7 days). Mostly 5G speeds on China Mobile and had decent data connection at the crowded F1 event, unlike people on Airalo, and roaming on their Euro carriers. Exit point in HK so relatively close and all the banned mainland apps (Google, meta etc) work fine.. as do the Chinese payment apps.

Oh, that reminds me. I saw some China (and other eSIMs) on the KrisFlyer shop. Looked super cheap and I need to get something myself.

 

[Vic]

I'm just looking at Airalo, first time doing an esim. I've got multiple overseas trips this year e.g. France now, UK in May
What is the go with that, do I just top up the same esim on the next trip or is it a case of buying a new one for each trip.
The french esim is slightly cheaper than europe, but if the europe one can be recharge for the UK trip that might be slightly easier.

Ignore me, going to france and belgium, and see that renewals are possible. Eurosim.
Thanks for the discount code @kevrosmith

 

[SYD]

I'm just looking at Airalo, first time doing an esim. I've got multiple overseas trips this year e.g. France now, UK in May
What is the go with that, do I just top up the same esim on the next trip or is it a case of buying a new one for each trip.
The french esim is slightly cheaper than europe, but if the europe one can be recharge for the UK trip that might be slightly easier.

Ignore me, going to france and belgium, and see that renewals are possible. Eurosim.
Thanks for the discount code @kevrosmith

Did you look at Kolet? Quoting me 30 day Euro regional (46 countries) plans for €8/3GB, €12/5GB etc. I was quite impressed with them on my last Euro trip over Xmas / New Year.

 

[jastel]

Only read the last few pages since start of the year, as it changes so quick, but anybody have any comment on Jetpac?

Specifically this Europe deal?

Jetpac | Travel eSIM

 

[SYD]

Only read the last few pages since start of the year, as it changes so quick, but anybody have any comment on Jetpac?

Specifically this Europe deal?

Jetpac | Travel eSIM

Not used it but they’re based in SIN (along with several others) so a good chance that traffic is routed back there. Not that it’s always easy to tell if there are latency issues with the eSIM or the just the local network. Seems reasonably priced, although only 7D duration?

The Delay pass sounds like what comes free with 28° MC btw.

As posted above, for a couple of bucks more this definitely works well in Europe.

Did you look at Kolet? Quoting me 30 day Euro regional (46 countries) plans for €8/3GB, €12/5GB etc. I was quite impressed with them on my last Euro trip over Xmas / New Year.

 

[moa999]

Have used bnesim.com before for Europe.. still substantially cheaper than those Kolet plans.

This trip.com (billionconnect) plan also seems cheap for low data usage

Europe 4G/5G eSIM | Daily Package/Data Package | 1-30 days | 24-hour billing | QR code | Trip.com

Get this eSIM for high-speed Internet from Drei in United Kingdom. Stay connected with family and friends.

au.trip.com

 

[SYD]

Have used bnesim.com before for Europe.. still substantially cheaper than those Kolet plans.

I try and stay away from Chinese (albeit in this case HKG) based providers. Although I’ll probably bite the bullet to get one for China itself in due course.

 

[jastel]

Should have said I was looking at the 30G for $44 for 30 days one.
Not fussed on the Lounge Pass but if it works well its a bonus.

30 days on kolet only 20G for A$60

 

[VPS]

If you're going to be in the UK I got a 3 esim for 10 quid a month pay by month and that's 20gb and 6gb of that can be used in Europe and you get unlimited texts and calls . UK prices are so low compared to Aus

 

[jastel]

Half UK, then Scandinavia...which is on most Europe plans.

 

[SYD]

If you're going to be in the UK I got a 3 esim for 10 quid a month pay by month and that's 20gb and 6gb of that can be used in Europe and you get unlimited texts and calls . UK prices are so low compared to Aus

I topped up my GiffGaff SIM (£8) in the UK in Jan while in London before heading onto Spain. Although I didn’t really need the mins/txt (but handy to have), it’s certainly good value if staying in the UK. If I’d just bounced through LHR, the 5 GB for use in Spain would have been marginal value compared to just a data eSIM.