eSims, what is your experience.

[Lat34]

I noticed that the SingTel has finally released eSIM versions of their “Tourist” SIMs (that include calls/txt as well as data across SE Asia and Oz). You just need to be on the ground in SIN to activate.

This is excellent news!!

 

[SYD]

This is excellent news!!

I already bought a Flexiroam regional plan for an upcoming trip. This would have been better (with the handy extra benefit of txt/calls - if required). Quite reasonable pricing also.

I haven’t looked closely but interesting to know if it’s reusable (top up available) or you buy a new sim each time?

 

[mrsterryn]

Flipping heck I need to get cracking and work this out for my week in USA in Dec.
Son was of no use lol.he hasn't gone to e sims yet

 

[SYD]

Flipping heck I need to get cracking and work this out for my week in USA in Dec.
Son was of no use lol.he hasn't gone to e sims yet

Flexiroam worked well in US and Canada just in the last few weeks. I’m collecting a set of eSIMs (newer phones you can install several and turn them on/off as required). Incredibly handy. Just make sure “Data Roaming” is turned off on your primary service BEFORE you leave Oz. You can then set the eSIM to be the default line for data.

Edit: Tip with Flexiroam is to buy in the Sales. Routine promos several times a month.

 

[mrsterryn]

Flexiroam worked well in US and Canada just in the last few weeks. I’m collecting a set of eSIMs (newer phones you can install several and turn them on/off as required). Incredibly handy. Just make sure “Data Roaming” is turned off on your primary service BEFORE you leave Oz. You can then set the eSIM to be the default line for data.

Edit: Tip with Flexiroam is to buy in the Sales. Routine promos several times a month.
View attachment 350353

And you are quite happy with them ? Previously I have had dual sims which were quite easy to set up

 

[SeaWolf]

I noticed that SingTel has finally released eSIM versions of their “Tourist” SIMs (that include calls/txt as well as data across SE Asia and Oz). You just need to be on the ground in SIN to activate.

Great to see this, though I do wonder what the activation process will be like given that in the past you've had to supply a passport for a Singapore sim card.

 

[SYD]

Great to see this, though I do wonder what the activation process will be like given that in the past you've had to supply a passport for a Singapore sim card.

Hopefully someone can report back soon. Previous reports of the physical sim have all been positive.

 

[Lat34]

Great to see this, though I do wonder what the activation process will be like given that in the past you've had to supply a passport for a Singapore sim card.

Video on the Singtel page shows you snap your passport page plus a take selfie during setup process:

Buy the best Tourist SIM or eSIM In Singapore | Singtel Prepaid

Wondering where to buy a SIM card or eSIM when travelling to Singapore? Check out the tourist SIMs that suit your travelling needs with up to 120GB of 5G data.

www.singtel.com

We are due in Thailand + Malaysia (via SIN) late November for a sailing regatta... unless someone else gets there first

EDIT: Also FAQs right at the bottom of the page have a separate eSIM section that covers eg registration & top-up

 

[Captain Halliday]

Seeking a sense check / other advice on these plans please:

In December we're spending just under a month in Japanfollowed by a few days each in Kuala Lumpur and coughet.

Family members all have different skiing ability, so the primary use case is keeping in touch/ checking in with each other when we're on different parts of the mountain (Niseko).

Having reviewed the last 15 pages or so I'm thinking Airolo e-sim 3GB/30 Days for USD8.50. One each for Mrs H and me.

Plus taking the Eskimo 1GB free option as a backup.

Advice appreciated.

 

[VPS]

Seeking a sense check / other advice on these plans please:

In December we're spending just under a month in Japanfollowed by a few days each in Kuala Lumpur and coughet.

Family members all have different skiing ability, so the primary use case is keeping in touch/ checking in with each other when we're on different parts of the mountain (Niseko).

Having reviewed the last 15 pages or so I'm thinking Airolo e-sim 3GB/30 Days for USD8.50. One each for Mrs H and me.

Plus taking the Eskimo 1GB free option as a backup.

Advice appreciated.

Not sure if any of these might be suitable for you with 20% off

20% off All Travel SIM Cards including eSIM – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia & More from $7.2 + Free Shipping @ TravelKon

Deal: 20% off All Travel SIM Cards including eSIM – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia & More from $7.2 + Free Shipping @ TravelKon, Store: Travelkon, Code: WANDER20, Category: Travel

www.ozbargain.com.au

 

[goosh]

Is there a preference on whether you make the international sim the e-sim or your local domestic number?

I take it the benefit is not having to go instore to set up a sim in your destination if you want to use one of the online ones?

 

[VPS]

Is there a preference on whether you make the international sim the e-sim or your local domestic number?

I take it the benefit is not having to go instore to set up a sim in your destination if you want to use one of the online ones?

I have my local as my esim but I have a permanent UK number and if I can't get back there to keep it active then I can give it to someone else to use. If I could get around that I'd have them both as esim

 

[TheRealTMA]

Is there a preference on whether you make the international sim the e-sim or your local domestic number?

I take it the benefit is not having to go instore to set up a sim in your destination if you want to use one of the online ones?

I use the local eSim and foreign Sim or eSim, setting the local (Oz) eSim to secondary.
Then set the foreign country as the primary when travelling.
But it really makes no difference.

 

[auriga]

I use the local eSim and foreign Sim or eSim, setting the local (Oz) eSim to secondary.
Then set the foreign country as the primary when travelling.
But it really makes no difference.

sorry i don't quite understand. do you mean both foreign and local esims can be active at the same time?

 

[SYD]

sorry i don't quite understand. do you mean both foreign and local esims can be active at the same time?

Most new phones allow two sims active concurrently. The physical sim and an eSIM. The newer phones also allow you to load multiple esims that you can turn on/off as required. eg you might have a Global data eSIM and one or more local / regional data eSIMs.

I believe the latest phones let you turn off the physical sim and use two esims concurrently.

 

[auriga]

I believe the latest phones let you turn off the physical sim and use two esims concurrently.

I have not come across that. Would you know which phones do that?

 

[SYD]

I have not come across that. Would you know which phones do that?

iPhone XR onwards and a whole gaggle of Samsungs etc have dual sim capability.

The local telcos will have a compatibility list.

My last comment needs to be verified but I’m sure I saw SYD+1 operate two esims on a new iPhone 14 - which surprised me. My iPhone 12 only supports 1x SIM and 1x eSIM operating concurrently.

 

[TheRealTMA]

sorry i don't quite understand. do you mean both foreign and local esims can be active at the same time?

Yes, depending on he phone, you can have multiple sims active at the same time. One is dedicated primary for outgoing calls, sms, and wifi etc and the other is active to receive incoming calls and sms.

 

[encryptededdy]

I believe only the iPhone 13 series/newer and Google Pixel 7 series/newer support two eSIMs active at once. Most other phones with eSIMs will only allow 1 eSIM + 1 Physical SIM active at once.

 

[SOPOOR]

Having just returned back from a single EU country for 10 days, last week as a solo traveller, I had a freebie 3gb sim, and managed to get by on 1gb in 7 days, but went through like 5 gb in 2 days, all due to googlemaps,

I kept buying topups of 1gb for about 4 Euro which I over paid

my strong recommendation, prepurchase them before your trip or at least know where to buy them because once you run out of data, you cant buy it while on the move unless you go back to your hotel wifi or mcdonalds

you can buy esims from aus from places lke simsdirect, travelkon (these are just two I have used),
according to the shops, physical sims are far cheaper than esims ( due to being newer technology?)

so depending on how much you do/dont want to spend , for physical vs esim

Next time ill just buy a 10-15gb plan to avoid any hassle/anxiety of data usage while travelling