eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

I'm generally a fan of Ubigi over marketplaces like Airalo for four reasons

1. You only need one eSIM installed on your phone, and this can be used for all their plans. You can load any plan at any time onto the eSIM, and you don't have to install a new eSIM for every plan.

2. You get a local IP address for the country. Technically this means local websites may load ever so slightly faster, but also on occasion some websites block foreign IPs. For instance, I had issues with an Airalo SIM trying to access a website in Japan since it was using a Singaporean IP address. It's also slightly lower latency for everything else as your traffic isn't being tunnelled to another country, although in practice this doesn't really matter.

3. The Ubigi SIM is never in "Roaming" mode (in my experience). This means features that allow WiFi calling over data actually work (e.g. see @DeKa 's issue above). This also means I don't have to change settings on my phone to allow data whilst roaming

4. The Ubigi SIM allows access to the Ubigi App, even if you've run out of data / have no plan activated. This means that even if I'm somewhere with no WiFi and didn't buy a plan (or a plan ran out unexpectedly), I can still always rely on the Ubigi SIM to allow me to connect to their captive portal/app to buy a new plan

Certainly worth a look. From what I’ve seen, no one provider is the best everywhere. So it pays to shop around.

Of course, the downside of all of this is that in general Ubigi is a bit more expensive than their competitors. I do find they're still a bit cheaper than Flexiroam though (who share most of these advantages AFAIK too).

Yes, as mentioned up thread FLX room foolishly went to the seperate eSIM per plan type but has gone back to one permanent eSIM.

The trick to FLX is to buy plans in their regular promo sales (every other week!).

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Might go over to NZ again in Oct, so will recharge my 2deg (if it does not expire 2deg supposedly has a life of a year), and then use the credit to buy a data pack.
I don't call out, and while was in NZ last week, Supershuttle sms me, so I know I had an esim with phone number and sms capability.
Originally got the esim in Jul 2023, so it might expire in Jul 2024, but I will put in $10/$20 credit and buy a data pack before Oct going over.
In the end, if we are able to use esims, at the least it saves the environment a bit by not having to see me in this case, the metal and plastic in the sim.
Also being able to use the same number is good too.

 

[SYD]

3. The Ubigi SIM is never in "Roaming" mode (in my experience).

I could see why that would be the case for “local” plans but they do “Regional” and “Global” plans also so you’d expect you need to turn on “Roaming” to get data to work in some (if not all) places covered by those plans?

This means features that allow WiFi calling over data actually work (e.g. see @DeKa 's issue above).

I’m curious why that would matter? If the eSIM is set as the default data line, does the phone care?

This also means I don't have to change settings on my phone to allow data whilst roaming

I actually like the additional control to disable unnecessary data use. On Flexiroam and Airalo etc you need to turn “roaming“ on for Regional and Global plans. I might be wrong, but I think “Local“ plans (or some of them) don’t require “roaming” turned on.

 

[encryptededdy]

I could see why that would be the case for “local” plans but they do “Regional” and “Global” plans also so you’d expect you need to turn on “Roaming” to get data to work in some (if not all) places covered by those plans?

Surprisingly you don't. Except some regions (Macau or Mainland China), you don't need to enable roaming even when using a regional plan (I've used an asia-wide plan across HK, TW, JP before). It behaves like a local SIM across multiple countries. Never tried a Global Plan.

I’m curious why that would matter? If the eSIM is set as the default data line, does the phone care?

Some phones have a software limitation that doesn't allow WiFi calling over a Roaming SIM's data

I actually like the additional control to disable unnecessary data use.

I'm not sure why this would make a difference? I suppose some apps may behave differently when they detect a roaming network, but you could just use your phone's data saver function.

I might be wrong, but I think “Local“ plans (or some of them) don’t require “roaming” turned on.

It depends on the plan I suppose. Last time I used an Airalo plan in Japan, it was actually a Singaporean (iirc) SIM with roaming enabled.

 

[DeKa]

I’m curious why that would matter? If the eSIM is set as the default data line, does the phone care?

The benefit is if the eSIM is not in data roaming mode, Telstra (and Boost) will see it for wifi calling so your “home” number roams with no cost

 

[SYD]

The benefit is if the eSIM is not in data roaming mode, Telstra (and Boost) will see it for wifi calling so your “home” number roams with no cost

Yeah, I understand the wifi calling benefit but why does “roaming” make a difference? Is that an Android or Apple or both thing?

Curious to know why? I’m pondering moving from Optus (no OS wifi calling) to Telstra or another that does.

 

[SYD]

Some phones have a software limitation that doesn't allow WiFi calling over a Roaming SIM's data

Missed your response before posting previous. I’m going to investigate further to see what I can dig up. Unless of course some one has a link to a reference.

I'm not sure why this would make a difference? I suppose some apps may behave differently when they detect a roaming network, but you could just use your phone's data saver function.

If you leave ”roaming” off unless required and you inadvertently activate that line, it won’t use up data. Yes, “Low data” mode can mitigate that problem, but eSIMs that need to be in “roaming” will not activate data at all until roaming is turned back on.

 

[DeKa]

Yeah, I understand the wifi calling benefit but why does “roaming” make a difference? Is that an Android or Apple or both thing?

Apparently it’s an iOS limitation if the eSIM is roaming, Wifi calling on the primary sim doesn’t work. If the secondary eSIM is not roaming, wifi calling on the primary sim works.

It makes for ultra cheap “roaming” of your main Australian number for voice calls. Two weeks in Singapore with Telstra Prepaid as the main voice number and Singtel Tourist eSIM is SGD $12 for example.

 

[encryptededdy]

Missed your response before posting previous. I’m going to investigate further to see what I can dig up. Unless of course some one has a link to a reference.

On Google and Samsung phones that limitation is there. I don't have my iPhone set up with the appropriate SIMs so can't test, but I'm reasonably confident the limitation is there too.

The easiest way around is to have your data SIM not be roaming, and, short of buying a local SIM, I find the easiest way is to use Ubigi. Unfortunately Ubigi aren't very clear about what countries count as "Roaming" and what don't, but in my experience US, SG, CA, TW, HK, NZ, and JP all are not roaming, regardless of plan. I've only encountered roaming in Macao (and presumably Mainland China, but you'd probably want that anyway to avoid the great firewall)

 

[SYD]

Apparently it’s an iOS limitation if the eSIM is roaming, Wifi calling on the primary sim doesn’t work. If the secondary eSIM is not roaming, wifi calling on the primary sim works.

It makes for ultra cheap “roaming” of your main Australian number for voice calls. Two weeks in Singapore with Telstra Prepaid as the main voice number and Singtel Tourist eSIM is SGD $12 for example.

Ah, it’s tied to the “Allow Mobile Data Switching” (for iOS) that by design must have a check to not hammer “roaming” data? Which makes sense - in principle - but not fully thought through.

Ironically, i suspect you could tether the primary phone to another phone with that same data eSIM and it would work as wifi??? (but who wants to go back to lugging two phones around?).

 

[DeKa]

Ironically, i suspect you could tether the primary phone to another phone with that same data eSIM and it would work as wifi??? (but who wants to go back to lugging two phones around?).

Actually thanks for reminding me as I tested that - I tethered my personal iPhone to my work iPhone which was roaming on Vodafone, and Telstra VoWifi on my personal phone worked.

 

[Kangol]

For those with the 28 degrees card and Flexiroam, free 3 GB over 15 days per calendar year offer, has anyone used the redemption for a physical sim in the previous year?
I've just gone through the redemption process using the same account and now it only lets me select an eSIM starter pack.
Not sure if it's possible to redeem this new year's offer and use the same physical SIM attached to the account.

 

[SYD]

For those with the 28 degrees card and Flexiroam, free 3 GB over 15 days per calendar year offer, has anyone used the redemption for a physical sim in the previous year?
I've just gone through the redemption process using the same account and now it only lets me select an eSIM starter pack.
Not sure if it's possible to redeem this new year's offer and use the same physical SIM attached to the account.

According to the FAQ on the redemption page (in app), you ought to be able to add it to an existing physical SIM or eSIM. Neither sim options expire.

Is there something there that lets you click through without ordering a “starter pack” since you already have a SIM? It’s possibly showing the eSIM starter pack because you haven’t ordered one before?

As an aside, what’s wrong with the eSIM anyway? Most phones let you load multiple eSIMs that you can easily turn on/off as required. That‘ll free up the physical slot for something that doesn’t support eSIM?

 

[Cynicor]

According to the FAQ on the redemption page (in app), you ought to be able to add it to an existing physical SIM or eSIM. Neither sim options expire.

Is there something there that lets you click through without ordering a “starter pack” since you already have a SIM? It’s possibly showing the eSIM starter pack because you haven’t ordered one before?

As an aside, what’s wrong with the eSIM anyway? Most phones let you load multiple eSIMs that you can easily turn on/off as required. That‘ll free up the physical slot for something that doesn’t support eSIM?

Phone has to be a bit newer than what many have, still.

 

[SYD]

Phone has to be a bit newer than what many have, still.

Edit: I thought the iPhone XR (my first esim phone) was a single eSIM but it was also mutli eSIM capable. Maybe it was an iOS 16 update thing?).

About eSIM on iPhone

Find out what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.

support.apple.com

iPhone XR/XS onwards support multiple eSIMs (x8). But they are still limited to dual active lines, 1x nano and 1 of 8 eSIMs (but you can toggle eSIMs on/off as required).

iPhone 14* onwards still supports two active lines but they can be 2 of 8 eSIMs or 1x nano and 1 of 8 eSIMs.

I assume Samsung / Android have similar capability now?

*I believe iPhone 14 onwards sold in the US are eSIM only.

 

[Kangol]

According to the FAQ on the redemption page (in app), you ought to be able to add it to an existing physical SIM or eSIM. Neither sim options expire.

Is there something there that lets you click through without ordering a “starter pack” since you already have a SIM? It’s possibly showing the eSIM starter pack because you haven’t ordered one before?

As an aside, what’s wrong with the eSIM anyway? Most phones let you load multiple eSIMs that you can easily turn on/off as required. That‘ll free up the physical slot for something that doesn’t support eSIM?

Thanks, I overlooked the FAQ and am reading now. It says "if you are redeeming the benefit for the second time onwards, only the Promotional Data plan will be allocated to your account".
That's me - redeeming for the second time.

Nothing wrong with the eSIM, I guess I'm old fashioned!

 

[SYD]

Thanks, I overlooked the FAQ and am reading now. It says "if you are redeeming the benefit for the second time onwards, only the Promotional Data plan will be allocated to your account".
That's me - redeeming for the second time.

Nothing wrong with the eSIM, I guess I'm old fashioned!

I would assume it will add the promo to your existing physical SIM if you just click through and ignore “starter pack” - if that’s possible? Otherwise, the eSIM works perfectly fine.

Let us know how you go. Also, let us know how long you have to activate after claiming it?

I’d try it myself (2nd year) but I have an existing Global plan that runs through to Sep or whenever I use up the data and I’ll claim the promo pack then.

 

[shuuy]

FWIW - finding the cheapest plan for the countries I’ve traveled to has always worked out on esimdb (US, CA, DK, UK, IT, NZ, SG, JP). Sometimes a world plan, sometimes a country specific one (eg Canada).

 

[SYD]

FWIW - finding the cheapest plan for the countries I’ve traveled to has always worked out on esimdb (US, CA, DK, UK, IT, NZ, SG, JP). Sometimes a world plan, sometimes a country specific one (eg Canada).

It’s a good starting point if unsure. It probably doesn’t know to alert you if there are specific deals on? Unless you happen to luck in on the day.

 

[tdimdad]

With these global providers (the same (e)SIM for multiple countries), do they come with fixed local mobile numbers? In other words, e.g. if I go to Singapore today, can I give the local operators a +65-xx_xx_xx number as my contact number, and then when continuing to Japan, I could give out a +81 number? Even better, if the number is retained so that next time I go over I could give the very same local numbers again.