eSims, what is your experience.

[chodo]

We spent April in Vietnam and used Airalo for various e-sims. The first e-sim we purchased was valid for 10 days, so once that expired we purchased another from them. The same e-sim wasn't available so we got a 7 day'er. Once that expired, we purchased a regional e-sim (Asia) that lasted 10 days from them. The customer service was reasonably prompt (no longer than 20 mins at the worst to respond to us via chat). Note that you need to be on wifi in order to start using the e-sim. One thing, and this isn't Airalo's fault, but you follow the instructions on how to set it up and you have this niggling feeling that your Telstra (or Oz sim) is being used for data, when it's not. So I spent the first few days checking my Telstra account to make sure I wasn't bleeding roaming data. Another thing to note, its that each of the e-sims we purchased required slightly different setup instructions and settings. It worked fine for Googling and using maps and booking flights etc. We didn't use it for streaming or anything data intensive. Ended up going with Airalo because they're based in Singapore and I figured communication would be decent - which it was. They charge in USD. If you use my code GREG7286 we will both get a USD $3 credit.

 

[rhett]

Just used one for a USA trip. Installed a T-Mobile app on iPhone in Australia, paid for a 30 day eSIM on it (in Australia), and it was ready for use the moment I landed in USA, with data and ability to make/receive calls from a US #. Quite happy with it. Telstra also has free text/calls over VoWIFI while overseas too which reduced need for use of the eSIM.

 

[leilajake]

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them.
The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy.
What have members experience been? TIA

I have had an Esim in my phone for a while now and love it.! When we've landed in Europe, we just pop the local sim in and you can use that for data. I guess my only comment is that with Telstras International Roaming plan (mind you we are talking 2019) nearly all calls to home were free and in most cases hotels/ships etc had wifi included so not really needed. Haven't been to the USA/Canada since 2015 so haven't used the option there. Hoping to head to Europe in October so will be interesting to see how it is 3 years down the track.

 

[Quickstatus]

Rideshare apps and Esim/dual sim
Using prepaid sims overseas can cause a "phone number in use" problem because that phone number has been recycled by the phone company but is still logged by rideshare companies as still in use

Esim and dual sims should be good in this regard.

Which should be the ESim - the prepaid international one or the Home number??
Ive heard that some providers require attendance at a store to get an ESim - such as ATT and ESim sometimes don't play well with prepaid

 

[SYD]

Which should be the ESim - the prepaid international one or the Home number??

IMHO using the eSIM for roaming because of the ease of obtaining and loading plans on the fly makes the most sense.

But I can see why those who already have a collection of physical sims that they use OS might prefer switching their home carrier to eSIM.

 

[Corespec]

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them.
The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy.
What have members experience been? TIA

The eSIM is built into your phone and my iPhone 12 is permanently running on the eSIM without fault. I have a Telstra SIM to give me better coverage when I am in the country and when I find I don't have Vodafone coverage I turn on my Telstra service which often gives me reception. You could do the same by using a second SIM when overseas. I don't bother as I use Vodafone Roaming so I don't have to worry.

 

[kingzac]

I'm using an esim from Globalsim in Europe right now. It's data only and working really well. Locks in fast each country and good service and speed.
Unfortunately rideshares etc. Often need a number for verification and for those I've either just not used it or bit the bullet and switched to my regular Aus sim for verification

 

[theblank]

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them.
The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy.
What have members experience been? TIA

the wife who is a compete nuffy on phones except for taking selfies, managed to use one just fine for a month by herself. she had to flip back and forth couple of times to receive a TXT message (prefer to have AU sim disabled while roaming just in case)

It works, so dont worry about it and do it.

 

[ausfox]

Thanks all posters for your contributions.

 

[Sherpa2020]

I used the global package with Flexiroam - I traveled to the USA and Germany . I found it to be pretty reliable and the customer service when I had issues was very responsive. It can seem expense but I use wifi when ever possible. They also hit you up with plenty of promotions which are less than their advertised prices - so it is wise to top up with these. The e sim was set up before I left. What got me was when I answered a couple of calls while away and Telstra hit me up for the daily data fee of $5. Lesson learnt.
I will use it again later this week.

Update - I just added 5Gig for $26 US to be used in the next 180 days. That was the 80% off sale.

 

[SYD]

I used the global package with Flexiroam - I traveled to the USA and Germany . I found it to be pretty reliable and the customer service when I had issues was very responsive. It can seem expense but I use wifi when ever possible. They also hit you up with plenty of promotions which are less than their advertised prices - so it is wise to top up with these. The e sim was set up before I left. What got me was when I answered a couple of calls while away and Telstra hit me up for the daily data fee of $5. Lesson learnt.
I will use it again later this week.

Yes, it's important to check which plans are data only and which are voice/data. I've only noticed data plans on Flexiroam.

I have a Flexiroam eSim but haven't had a need to use it anger so far. But good to hear that it worked ok.

Also, rather than getting a "Global" package, it could be a lot cheaper to get individual country or region plans if you only going to a couple of places. I assume they stack (so either get them as you go or in one of the countless sales!).

Finally, if your phone is "wifi calling" compatible, you can then make and receive calls over wifi without Telstra (or Optus) triggering roaming plans or charges.

 

[blackcat20]

We're currently using a Holafly esim in the US and having quite opposite experiences. TomVexille is on AT&T, getting good reliable coverage. I'm almost always on T-Mobile, often no service and it's slow and flaky. No idea how we got the same product but such a different outcome. If it worked more consistently I'd give it 5 stars, as it's unlimited data for 30 days and a decent price.

 

[djkelly69]

Finally, if your phone is "wifi calling" compatible, you can then make and receive calls over wifi without Telstra (or Optus) triggering roaming plans or charges.

Pretty sure Optus and Voda VoWifi is disabled/doesn't work outside of Aus, so it is only Telstra or Boost people who can do this.

 

[SYD]

Pretty sure Optus and Voda VoWifi is disabled/doesn't work outside of Aus, so it is only Telstra or Boost people who can do this.

Yes, you are correct on Optus. Not sure if this was always the case - I thought I had used it overseas myself in the past but the Optus FAQ has an emphatic “No” against “Can I make WiFi calls when I'm overseas?”

https://www.optus.com.au/support/answer

A bit of a bugger. Heading to NOU soon and it’s not covered in my included roaming countries…

 

[jeza]

My experience of using Airalo so far.

In Bangkok the network was Dtac & was able to get Telstra Wifi Calling to work. Now in Spain & Movistar is the provider but can't seem to get Telstra Wifi Calling up, when I pick up a Wifi network instead the Telstra Wifi Calling does appear. So either I've stuffed a setting up or it's not available via Movistar.

 

[Pele]

I used this mob last month in Japan:

UPeSIM eSIM Store | Roaming Made Easy | best prepaid eSIMs for travelers

UPeSIM eSIM providers & roaming data plans prepaid, instant online activation. Get the best prepaid eSIM for your travel destination. Perfect for travelers

www.upesim.com

I had to manually enter the APN setting but once i did that it was set and forget.

That was my first esim experience and i cant see my self ever buying a physical sim overseas again.

Heading over to the middle east in a few weeks so if anyone has any recommendations let me know. I dont need calls or sms, just data.

 

[Lat34]

Anyone have recent SIM/eSIM experience in Malaysia? Heading there shortly for three weeks.

 

[SYD]

Anyone have recent SIM/eSIM experience in Malaysia? Heading there shortly for three weeks.

Are you passing through SIN? These are supposed to be good value albeit still a physical SIM but regional coverage (including Oz if any data leftover).

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

 

[Lat34]

Are you passing through SIN? These are supposed to be good value albeit still a physical SIM but regional coverage (including Oz if any data leftover).

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

As it happens "yes"! SYD-MEL-SIN-KUL-HKT (because, well, I can ) to pickup a yacht, sail to Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur) then race back via Pangkor & Penang to Langkawi and ultimately deliver the boat back to Thailand again. This tourist SIM would be excellent it seems, thanks so much for the tip

 

[Lat34]

Anyone know of anything similar to multi-country Singtel roaming offer above that covers South American countries eg Argentina, Brazil & Chile? I suppose coverage including Antarctica is expecting waaay to much