eSims, what is your experience.

[Pushka]

So looking at esim Airalo for Middle East. Does anyone have any experience please? We normally use the Optus one but that's not a goer here. If I activate it early to make sure I get it right I take it the 30 days starts from activation and not from usage? Ta muchly.

 

[Askance]

So looking at esim Airalo for Middle East. Does anyone have any experience please? We normally use the Optus one but that's not a goer here. If I activate it early to make sure I get it right I take it the 30 days starts from activation and not from usage? Ta muchly.

Im heading to Jordan tomorrow and ill be using Airalo while im there. I have already activated my 7 day eSim but it doesnt start until i have my phone in Jordan.

<referral removed - please post referrals only in the referrals forum>

 

[Fifa]

So looking at esim Airalo for Middle East. Does anyone have any experience please? We normally use the Optus one but that's not a goer here. If I activate it early to make sure I get it right I take it the 30 days starts from activation and not from usage? Ta muchly.

I recently used an Airalo e-Sim in Japan for our 25 day ski trip (US$18, less $3 with code for 10GB, 30 days and can be easily topped up, lots of plan options available). It worked really well however was a bit spotty in some mountain areas around Shiga Kogen ski resort which was to be expected.

I downloaded the app and purchased my plan before I left Australia but it couldn’t be activated until I was in Japan (required wifi for activation). Note that the e-sims can only be used on newer mobiles.

<referral removed - please post referrals only in the referrals forum>

Edit: referral code posted in Referral Offer thread

 

[Pushka]

So I've downloaded the Airolo app. I want to have my Aus sim open for texts etc, but not data. When I get to the first Middle East country, is there anything I need to do to make sure my data is only using Airolo and not the Aus sim? Or maybe I just tell those who need to know only to use whatsapp or FB messenger in which case Aus sim can be removed? or is there a way to make sure that Aus one doesn't connect?

 

[Thibault]

So I've downloaded the Airolo app. I want to have my Aus sim open for texts etc, but not data. When I get to the first Middle East country, is there anything I need to do to make sure my data is only using Airolo and not the Aus sim? Or maybe I just tell those who need to know only to use whatsapp or FB messenger in which case Aus sim can be removed? or is there a way to make sure that Aus one doesn't connect?

It’s super easy - once you have your e-sim set up - go to settings and cellular - and ensure that you choose the eSIM for data connection.

You can have both SIM cards on at the same time.

 

[SYD]

So I've downloaded the Airolo app. I want to have my Aus sim open for texts etc, but not data. When I get to the first Middle East country, is there anything I need to do to make sure my data is only using Airolo and not the Aus sim? Or maybe I just tell those who need to know only to use whatsapp or FB messenger in which case Aus sim can be removed? or is there a way to make sure that Aus one doesn't connect?

Apple or Android phone? Either way, you should be able to turn roaming and data off for your Oz SIM.

Then enable your eSIM for data access (again, you can turn that on and off if there’s a limit to work within).

As a general rule, it pays to manually go through all apps and disable mobile data access if not required.

 

[Pushka]

Apple or Android phone? Either way, you should be able to turn roaming and data off for your Oz SIM.

Then enable your eSIM for data access (again, you can turn that on and off if there’s a limit to work within).

As a general rule, it pays to manually go through all apps and disable mobile data access if not required.

Apple. Thankyou. And Yes, have mentioned to other half we need to turn off mobile data individually for all apps and then only turn on again on a needs basis.

 

[exceladdict]

Ordered a free giffgaff Sim today, potentially for use in the UK and EU. Not sure I'll use it but will be interesting to see how long it takes to arrive!

Edit: airalo looks very affordable as another option.

 

[drron]

With an iPhone even I can make sure the esim is the one getting the data. And I use Airolo. They make things easy to understand.
Currently the GPS in our new rental is a bit hopeless so I am using Google Maps via my esim. No problem except to make sure your phone is charged or you have a wireless charger.

 

[Pushka]

With an iPhone even I can make sure the esim is the one getting the data. And I use Airolo. They make things easy to understand.
Currently the GPS in our new rental is a bit hopeless so I am using Google Maps via my esim. No problem except to make sure your phone is charged or you have a wireless charger.

Thankyou. I've download several now, because global didn't seem to fit all. Middle East being the problem. I've now got four esim as I went regional plans but might try simplifying that for MrP. I've renamed them so easy to sort.

 

[SYD]

Ordered a free giffgaff Sim today, potentially for use in the UK and EU. Not sure I'll use it but will be interesting to see how long it takes to arrive!

GiffGaff might well go back to being my default UK / Euro SIM. The data “goody bags” are some of the best value around. Shame they’re still only physical SIMs AFAIK.

 

[exceladdict]

With an iPhone even I can make sure the esim is the one getting the data. And I use Airolo. They make things easy to understand.
Currently the GPS in our new rental is a bit hopeless so I am using Google Maps via my esim. No problem except to make sure your phone is charged or you have a wireless charger.

Absolutely! I've started downloading offline maps on Google maps in anticipation, but good point to ensure phone is charged and or a long cable to charge via the car is handy.

 

[transpactraveller]

Any recommendations for longer-term multi-country roaming eSIM for someone who travels overseas several times a year, sometimes for up to 6 weeks at a time, spending 90+ days out of the country each year?

Or can I have multiple eSIMs and swap which one is being used as I travel between countries? I'm mostly in the US when not in Australia, but also take side trips to Canada, sometimes go via NZ, and once a year to the UK and Europe (sometimes also stopping in Singapore or Japan).

I've been on an Optus plan that included 4GB/month of roaming data across all those countries - it was a perfect no hassle setup for me to keep using my Aussie phone everywhere I went. But Optus have just removed those monthly inclusions from my account and will now charge an extra $5 daily fee each day to use roaming, so obviously looking for alternatives now.

 

[qaz]

Any recommendations for longer-term multi-country roaming eSIM for someone who travels overseas several times a year, sometimes for up to 6 weeks at a time, spending 90+ days out of the country each year?

via OzBargain:

• 242/365-day | 4GB | 40+ countries | $20 @ Felix Mobile

International Roaming Phone Plan Add-On

Share your favourite moments and stay connected to friends and family when you are overseas in over 40 selected countries with our International Roaming pack.

felixmobile.com.au

• 365-day | 30GB | AU, CA, HK, NZ, UK, USA | HK$268 (A$51) @ 3 Hong Kong (other 365-day/HK$268 combinations available)

Three.com.hk | DIY Prepaid

www.three.com.hk

also

• 1-month | 15.34GB | Europe | PLN1 (AU$0.35) @ Orange Poland

https://flex.orange.pl/en

Or can I have multiple eSIMs and swap which one is being used as I travel between countries?

yes

 

[RooFlyer]

With Airolo, I guess the GB quoted in the sign up is for the length of the buy?



What is the cost of top-ups, relative to the initial buy and how do they work? For instance, if I get a Europe 30 day, 5 GB package for US$20, how are top-ups structured? Do you buy XGB more to last until the end of the initial period, or do you buy a new package? How much might another 5GB cost?

The data allowances seem a bit thin.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’m currently using Airalo with their Asian regional e sim and it certainly works in Singapore and now Thailand.

I see Singapore is only listed under ‘local’ and not ‘Asia regional’, and all their Singapore eSims are ‘sold out’

 

[drron]

Any top up is buying a new plan.
Singapore was dropped a few months ago and I am not sure why. However on this trip have a Europe 30 day E sim but noticed it activated on our night staying there.

 

[TheRealTMA]

With Airolo, I guess the GB quoted in the sign up is for the length of the buy?

View attachment 321204

What is the cost of top-ups, relative to the initial buy and how do they work? For instance, if I get a Europe 30 day, 5 GB package for US$20, how are top-ups structured? Do you buy XGB more to last until the end of the initial period, or do you buy a new package? How much might another 5GB cost?

The data allowances seem a bit thin.

I think many do not top up. Just buy a new esim.

 

[Pushka]

I think many do not top up. Just buy a new esim.

Is there any benefit in topping up rather than repurchase?

 

[VPS]

Is there any benefit in topping up rather than repurchase?

keeping the same phone number might be handy but that's it - I keep a UK SIM active because of my UK bank account and had to send it back to a friend in the UK during covid.