eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

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.

Usually not. They’re mostly data only - so no number at.

One work around is Whatsapp and you main number (over data). Skype also lets you configure “local” numbers.

I started this thread to discuss ways to make/receive cheap calls / text OS.

Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

So what are peeps doing these days for cheap calls/text back to Oz, or local/international calls/text while you’re travelling OS? Background. Since 2019 I’ve had the Optus $50 plan that included roaming data, unlimited calls & text when OS (to/from select countries) and calls/text from Oz to OS...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Tiki]

I just bought an iPhone 15 Plus which has eSIM and one SIM card slot. I went to the Vodafone shop in the mall after setting up the new phone and they switched me to eSIM in 5 minutes leaving my physical SIM card slot available for travel and one-off SIM cards.

 

[Thibault]

I just bought an iPhone 15 Plus which has eSIM and one SIM card slot. I went to the Vodafone shop in the mall after setting up the new phone and they switched me to eSIM in 5 minutes leaving my physical SIM card slot available for travel and one-off SIM cards.

The good think about the 15's is that you can use 2 eSims at the same time - giving you even more flexibility overseas.
Great setup!

 

[p--and--t]

Would appreciate recommendations from the AFF brains trust for

- a Vancouver (not essential) / Mexico (15days) / Cuba (10days) / Fiji trip (3 days)

- a Thailand (2 x 2 days) / India trip (Golden triangle 10days)

I am with Belong (I don't see the value in their roaming pack offerings) with iPhone 15Pro

 

[Flashback]

The good think about the 15's is that you can use 2 eSims at the same time - giving you even more flexibility overseas.
Great setup!

I quite like my Samsung S23+ - has 2 physical SIM slots and allows multiple eSIMs too. Only 2 active at a time of course, but gives a lot of flexibility IMHO.

 

[SYD]

The good think about the 15's is that you can use 2 eSims at the same time - giving you even more flexibility overseas.
Great setup!

iPhone 14 onwards actually.

 

[kookaburra75]

I quite like my Samsung S23+ - has 2 physical SIM slots and allows multiple eSIMs too. Only 2 active at a time of course, but gives a lot of flexibility IMHO.

My Google Pixel 7A has the same features too. It's been very useful for travel, where I use the eSim for my number, and can add in physical SIMs as needed.

 

[SYD]

My Google Pixel 7A has the same features too. It's been very useful for travel, where I use the eSim for my number, and can add in physical SIMs as needed.

I’m pondering that approach myself having just upgraded from iPhone 12 to 15.

When I finally ditch Optus (if not before), switch my main number over to eSIM and free up the physical SIM for my GiffGaff SIM (good for UK / Europe) and any others along the way. I’ll still have 7 spare eSIM slots for the usual goto data only eSIM providers.

 

[Kangol]

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.

I activated and there was no option of linking it to my existing physical SIM.
eSIM has now been installed.
Plan has to be started before 31 Dec 2024.

 

[SYD]

Plan has to be started before 31 Dec 2024.

Oh, that’s interesting. I thought the Ts&Cs said 6 mths but it makes sense to give you the year.

 

[theblank]

i have been using Flexiroam for a while, but always seem to have setup issues of varying kinds from creating the esim to getting it registered. especially the missus (who is iphone incompetent except for taking selfies). But once working it was fine.

I changed to Airalo on my christmas trip and it worked seemlessly from the start, and slightly cheaper. so flexiroam has the boot now

 

[SYD]

i have been using Flexiroam for a while, but always seem to have setup issues of varying kinds from creating the esim to getting it registered. especially the missus (who is iphone incompetent except for taking selfies). But once working it was fine.

I changed to Airalo on my christmas trip and it worked seemlessly from the start, and slightly cheaper. so flexiroam has the boot now

Yeah, the list price for FLX is often much more than the competitors. But very good value during the 70-90% off Sales.

I have found that installing the FLX eSIMs in the past was was odd. They’d install but get to a point where it wasn’t obvious that it completed installing.

I recently just got a new iPhone and reinstalled my FLX eSIM seamlessly. So no idea if it was the HW or iOS in the past.

 

[SYD]

Airalo are doing an eSIM promo - up to 50% off (buy now use later).

The email lists some plans for Japan, France and Mexico at 50% off. Spain was 33% off. The discounts appear to start with the 10GB/30 day country plans.

Probably need to check in app what other deals are available.

 

[Katja]

I’ve been looking into eSIM and my concern is online safety. I’ll be away for a bit and will need to do online banking. Usually I just cop the Telstra roaming fees and use a VPN, but just wondering if anybody has had any issues. That’s not to say that Telstra plus VPN have saved me from marriage proposals from Nigerian princes or emails about my long lost relatives leaving me billions. I’m liking the idea of turning my Telstra sim into an eSIM and buying a physical Sim in each country, seeing as I can’t add to my match collection any longer.
Any thoughts on the matter would be most welcomed. Thank you.

 

[SYD]

I’ve been looking into eSIM and my concern is online safety. I’ll be away for a bit and will need to do online banking. Usually I just cop the Telstra roaming fees and use a VPN, but just wondering if anybody has had any issues. That’s not to say that Telstra plus VPN have saved me from marriage proposals from Nigerian princes or emails about my long lost relatives leaving me billions. I’m liking the idea of turning my Telstra sim into an eSIM and buying a physical Sim in each country, seeing as I can’t add to my match collection any longer.
Any thoughts on the matter would be most welcomed. Thank you.

Are you concerned about the security of the eSIM provider network?

I guess you have a similar issue even with Telstra because they’re roaming sometimes on the same networks the eSIM provider has arrangements with.

But a VPN would be useful for that added security.

 

[RealtimeY]

It sounds like you're already as protected as you can be against hacks, and are on the lookout for scams. Changing between SIMs, eSIMs or providers probably won't be putting you at much greater risk if at all.

 

[Katja]

Are you concerned about the security of the eSIM provider network?

I guess you have a similar issue even with Telstra because they’re roaming sometimes as the same networks the eSIM provider has arrangements with.

But a VPN would be useful for that added security.

Hi SYD, Thank you for your reply. Yes, this was the first thread that I read and I noticed somebody mentioned they felt uncomfortable giving their passport information to one of the providers in Eastern Europe, which I totally get. Then I jumped from that thought to actual security and worrying about adding an extra portal for scammers. But I’ve just gone down the rabbit hole and it looks like Ubigi has this covered, plus it covers a few places the other providers don’t, so I’ll sign up with them.

Post automatically merged: Jan 19, 2024

It sounds like you're already as protected as you can be against hacks, and are on the lookout for scams. Changing between SIMs, eSIMs or providers probably won't be putting you at much greater risk if at all.

But I’m still open to a Nigerian prince or a Russian bride!

 

[SYD]

Hi SYD, Thank you for your reply. Yes, this was the first thread that I read and I noticed somebody mentioned they felt uncomfortable giving their passport information to one of the providers in Eastern Europe, which I totally get. Then I jumped from that thought to actual security and worrying about adding an extra portal for scammers. But I’ve just gone down the rabbit hole and it looks like Ubigi has this covered, plus it covers a few places the other providers don’t, so I’ll sign up with them.

Post automatically merged: Jan 19, 2024

But I’m still open to a Nigerian prince or a Russian bride!

Yep, most of the usual providers don’t ask for PP details - probably because there’s no actual phone number associated with the service(?).

 

[cdp88]

This is a really informative thread. For my last trip I just used the $5/day Vodafone roaming. But I see much greater potential in this esim arrangement, particularly for longer trips.

I’m going to Japan and TW this month. I’m thinking to go with Ubigi for my iPhone 12 but am weighing up whether to buy individual country plans or just the regional Asia plan. I’ll be in Taiwan for a few days, then to japan for just over a week and back in Taiwan for another two weeks. I like the potential for it to just do wifi calling and act as if I am roaming so I can receive calls etc.

I’m thinking that the regional plan for 10GB/30 days is best as I can just use whatever data is left wherever I am. I’ll use hotel or home wifi where available so it’s just for when I’m out and about. By my calculation this plan would cost about $60AUD. I’d be up for about $45AUD in roaming to cover Japan if used Vodafone and while I can manage without roaming in Taiwan for $15AUD extra it seems like a reasonable investment.

I did read that Ubigi is just a single eSIM and you can add plans as required. It could be cheaper to just add specific country plans but i am attracted to just doing it once and not having to think about it again.

 

[SYD]

This is a really informative thread. For my last trip I just used the $5/day Vodafone roaming. But I see much greater potential in this esim arrangement, particularly for longer trips.

I’m going to Japan and TW this month. I’m thinking to go with Ubigi for my iPhone 12 but am weighing up whether to buy individual country plans or just the regional Asia plan. I’ll be in Taiwan for a few days, then to japan for just over a week and back in Taiwan for another two weeks. I like the potential for it to just do wifi calling and act as if I am roaming so I can receive calls etc.

I’m thinking that the regional plan for 10GB/30 days is best as I can just use whatever data is left wherever I am. I’ll use hotel or home wifi where available so it’s just for when I’m out and about. By my calculation this plan would cost about $60AUD. I’d be up for about $45AUD in roaming to cover Japan if used Vodafone and while I can manage without roaming in Taiwan for $15AUD extra it seems like a reasonable investment.

I did read that Ubigi is just a single eSIM and you can add plans as required. It could be cheaper to just add specific country plans but i am attracted to just doing it once and not having to think about it again.

I’ve not used Ubigi but it’s probably smart enough to know to use country specific plans you pre-purchase. I'd expect seperate country plans to work out cheaper but it will depend on the available duration/data combos they offer.

The other thing is you’ll still have Vodafone up your sleeve if you need to make/receive calls etc.