eSims, what is your experience.

[NM]

You’ll be able to receive SMS on your Optus sim without triggering the roaming charge (regardless of what your work arrangement is). Just make sure you have “Data roaming” turned off and don’t send an SMS nor make/receive calls. If you have an iPhone, disable sending iMessage as SMS.

The Optus $5 / day (actually $5 per 5GB) can be a bit flaky OS IME and can falsely trigger occasionally. If it does, contact Optus via the app chat function to reverse it.

Reality is that I would not know if it was triggered unless some finance person decides my SIM costs need to be reviewed/justified that month. I don't normally see the bill and always stay "below the radar" for finance department review

Otherwise, any of the main eSiM providers will provide the data you need. If you really need to make calls, then that narrows the field down considerably. T-Mobile is probably a good option.

Thanks. That is the conclusion I had reached.

The alternate plan is to get data-only eSIMs for the data connectivity and one physical SIM between us. Any time we would expect to need to make a local phone call we will be together so could slot it into either phone to make the call. But the free Tmobile option sounds like better value

 

[Thibault]

Is the landline number used/verified by the setup process? Or just needs to have a valid number inserted for the process to complete? I assume I can't activate it until in the USA and we only have one night stay at a LAX airport hotel before flying on the following day. So will give me something to do that first night upon arrival at the hotel

The number is not checked - just to pass through the sign-up prompts.
We signed up once we passed customs - wifi is mandatory to receive the eSIM - takes less than 5 minutes.

It will only work if you open the app in the US, connected to a US IP address - if you try in Australia, it will errors out.

Yes, I should be able to download the app. I have a second AppleID that I have used in the past for a some apps that are only available via the USA App Store. It's a bit of a pain swapping IDs, but can be done. Hopefully I can use my USA-linked AppleID on both our phones to download the app, then switch back to our own individual AppleID.

Yes, that's our exact set-up, we only have one US account for 2 iPhones and works fine!

 

[NM]

The number is not checked - just to pass through the sign-up prompts.
We signed up once we passed customs - wifi is mandatory to receive the eSIM - takes less than 5 minutes.

It will only work if you open the app in the US, connected to a US IP address - if you try in Australia, it will errors out.



Yes, that's our exact set-up, we only have one US account for 2 iPhones and works fine!

Cool. Thanks. Free WiFi included for my hotel stay, so should be easy to do once there. No need for any connectivity until we reach the first hotel as the shuttles for LAX airport hotels come regularly and no need to call the hotel.

 

[SYD]

Reality is that I would not know if it was triggered unless some finance person decides my SIM costs need to be reviewed/justified that month. I don't normally see the bill and always stay "below the radar" for finance department review

Do you have the Optus app on your phone? It should tell you what the state of the nation (or your plan) is.

Either way, so long as Optus roaming is not disabled entirely you can also turn off that line via the phone and only activate if you specifically want to receive an SMS or need to use the phone in an emergency.

Newer phones will let you use two (of several loaded) eSIMs in parallel (even though Optus being on the physical SIM).

 

[NM]

Do you have the Optus app on your phone? It should tell you what the state of the nation (or your plan) is.

No access to corporate plan details from the Optus App (needs a username/password). But I can see my usage on the company on-line portal.

However, looking through my received SMS history, there are very few SMS on-time codes received. Most important are from banks for transaction authorisations, and while away those types of transactions are unlikely to be needed. I can always change the linked phone number to be Mrs. NM's AU mobile number so they can be received on her Amaysim SIM, then change back when I return home. Then I can just leave data roaming off and divert all incoming voice calls to voicemail and ignore the Optus SIM for the duration of the trip.

International Roaming for the corporate Optus SIM needs to be requested via an on-line form, approved by corporate manager, and enabled by the support team before embarking on business travel, so I assume its not enabled by default. But of course that does not mean I won't still receive AU SMS when traveling, just unlikely to be able to make calls or send SMS which is just fine by me.

I'll keep checking that Tmobile don't terminate the current free trial progarm before I travel, and plan tp use that as an eSIM for data and USA vocie calls. If I get there and find its no longer available, then I'll pick up a pre-paid local SIM to use during teh trip (the old fashioned way).

 

[SYD]

I'll keep checking that Tmobile don't terminate the current free trial progarm before I travel, and plan tp use that as an eSIM for data and USA vocie calls. If I get there and find its no longer available, then I'll pick up a pre-paid local SIM to use during teh trip (the old fashioned way).

Have look a Telstra “prepaid”. That could be a handy backup for “personal use” both at home and abroad. They were quite cheap a while back - still not too bad but most importantly, rather than the crazy $10 per day roaming scam, they have prepaid bundles. I believe they’re also eSIM (so can live side by side your physical Optus SIM) and they might even have wifi calling - which can be the OS travellers best friend.

 

[auriga]

Great price! No issues?

No problems
Their app is a bit strange though.
Data routed through Hong Kong

 

[kevrosmith]

Planning for a USA trip with Mrs. NM later in the year. We both have eSIM compatible iPhones. My phone physical SIM is with Optus and provided/paid by my employer (phone is my own), and this is a personal holiday so I cannot just activate global roaming and use the company account SIM in a way that will incur cost to my employer while away. Mrs. NM uses personal Amaysim service, so we can activate global roaming for inbound SMS etc. on her SIM as any additional cost will be our own expense. We are seeking the following capabilities for 3 weeks in USA:

• Mobile data for use with things like Google Maps, Facetime/Messenger voice/video calls, email, banking, general web browsing
• Ability to receive SMS to our AU phone numbers for things like 2-factor authentication for banking etc. (no need for sending SMS)
• Ability to make USA phone calls for things like calling hotels to arrange shuttle services, modify travel plans, book a restaurant etc.

We have no need to receive phone calls to our AU numbers - will divert all calls to voicemail with an appropriate message.

I am considering the T-Mobile Network Pass (Try our network for 3 months). Would this meet our requirements above, especially ability to make a voice phone call to a USA number using a T-Mobile number when needed?

We will be together 99% of the time, and even if separated (in a shopping mall etc) we could still contact each other via data-only means such as Facetime/Messenger/iMessage.

Previously I have pre-purchased a travel SIM for use in the USA. But with today's reliance on SMS for 2-factor authentications for things like banking, swapping out the physical SIM does not seem to be the best option.

Thoughts? Other recommendations?

I used a Tourist product from T-Mobile when I visited Florida in March 2019. Seems T-Mobile have shipped that product off to a side-kick company called Ultra Mobile. They still have a Tourist Plan for 3 weeks for $30 https://www.ultramobile.com/tourist/

Uses T-Mobiles network. Not sure if it provides everything you need. 3GB doesn't seem much these days. But you could always just get multiple SIMs when the first data block runs out (can't recharge; you'd get a new local number each time you get a new SIM).

Prior to my last trip to Japan in January this year, I used to always put my Aussie physical SIM into another spare iPhone for receiving SMS. Everything else I could handle through my regular phone with a local (physical) SIM in... it was always direct SMS that I couldn't divert or retrieve otherwise.

 

[SYD]

I used a Tourist product from T-Mobile when I visited Florida in March 2019. Seems T-Mobile have shipped that product off to a side-kick company called Ultra Mobile. They still have a Tourist Plan for 3 weeks for $30 https://www.ultramobile.com/tourist/

Uses T-Mobiles network. Not sure if it provides everything you need. 3GB doesn't seem much these days. But you could always just get multiple SIMs when the first data block runs out (can't recharge; you'd get a new local number each time you get a new SIM).

It appears to be unlimited data but download speed throttled after 3GB. But you could always supplement with an eSIM.

The biggest hassle appears to be a physical SIM only purchasable via eBay? and what ever delivery time you need to allow.

Prior to my last trip to Japan in January this year, I used to always put my Aussie physical SIM into another spare iPhone for receiving SMS. Everything else I could handle through my regular phone with a local (physical) SIM in... it was always direct SMS that I couldn't divert or retrieve otherwise.

If you have a newer phone, consider porting your existing Oz line over to eSIM. That frees up the physical SIM slot for the times when a local SIM card is still useful.

I‘m about to do that when I finally ditch Optus. My iPhone 15* will happily use 2x eSIMs or 1x SIM + 1x eSIM in parallel.

*iPhone 14 onwards have this feature.

 

[Cynicor]

Your 15 also stores a bunch of them too, so you have up to 8 esims Installed, right? Just only 2 active at any given time.
I don’t hire understand that part but will attempt it for my next trip with a physical AU sim, a SIN eSIM to bookend my Sri Lanka time with another eSIM

 

[SYD]

Your 15 also stores a bunch of them too, so you have up to 8 esims Installed, right? Just only 2 active at any given time.
I don’t hire understand that part but will attempt it for my next trip with a physical AU sim, a SIN eSIM to bookend my Sri Lanka time with another eSIM

Yes, 8x eSIMs* on most iPhones since about iPhone 11 or 12. Plus a physical SIM (for phones sold in Oz).

*the Apple website now says “8 or more” . I have know idea what that is supposed to mean…but safe to say that at least eight (8) eSIMs can be installed concurrently AFAIK.

 

[Flashback]

Not Sure if anyone has experience with Global Yo but they seem to have a great deal currently.

I've been trying to find an ESim for Central America without a lot of success but have noticed that Global Yo have an ESim deal currently on their Global Plans. Somewhat incredibly the Global Plans seem much cheaper than the regional plans, e.g. you can get 10 GB for 30 days for US $10.

Have decided to give them a try, $4 USD for 15 days and 3GB seemed pretty decent for their North American Explorer plan which covers US & Canada. Connected to Bell in Canada, seems to be working OK. When I check the IP address it reports as Netherlands which I thought was interesting. Will see how it goes for the next week and then also when we get down to the US late next week too.

 

[p--and--t]

Just a touch point for anyone interested.

I have iPhone15. I am on Boost 12 month unlimited plan.

I recently visited Japan and downloaded an Airalo eSim (data only) and it worked like a charm for the 10 days I was there - automatically detected when I switched on while taxi-ing to the terminal on landing. They had a special offer of USD9 (AUD14.15)

Just now switched to eSim for Boost through the App - took three minutes max. I now have no physical sim and 2 eSims (although the Airalo one is not active now I am back in Aus)

 

[SYD]

Just a touch point for anyone interested.

I have iPhone15. I am on Boost 12 month unlimited plan.

I recently visited Japan and downloaded an Airalo eSim (data only) and it worked like a charm for the 10 days I was there - automatically detected when I switched on while taxi-ing to the terminal on landing.

Just now switched to eSim for Boost through the App - took three minutes max. I now have no physical sim and 2 eSims (although the Airalo one is not active now I am back in Aus)

SYD+1 just switched from Optus to amaysim (eSIM) on iPhone 14. Unless I find a better local option, I’ll be doing similar in a month or two. The combo of local Oz plan and cheap roaming bundles with amaysim do appear to be the best for us and our longer trips away where $5 (or $10 ) pd roaming adds up.

We’ve both been travelling extensively the last two years and trying out various eSIM providers, and generally pretty happy with the data only plans from some of the main eSIM service providers. But having the physical SIM slot free does give us the old school option to pick up a local physical SIM in some places.

 

[p--and--t]

If anyone is contemplating buying an Airalo esim and doesn't already have a discount code then

try "Fyvor" for a 10% discount on all plans

You can also try "Matt9820" in the next 4 days that may work on some plans for up to 30% discount.

 

[Flashback]

Have decided to give them a try, $4 USD for 15 days and 3GB seemed pretty decent for their North American Explorer plan which covers US & Canada. Connected to Bell in Canada, seems to be working OK. When I check the IP address it reports as Netherlands which I thought was interesting. Will see how it goes for the next week and then also when we get down to the US late next week too.

Happy to report it worked very well, great value. Off to Madagascar and then South Africa tomorrow so need to check what they have, the Airalo option for what I need is $49.

 

[SYD]

Speaking of Airalo, has anyone else noticed that they’re now offering country plans with calls/txt.

Looks like Airalo has rolled out the option to buy calls (mins) and texts on Global eSIM data plans.

eg
7D / 1 GB is US$9.00
7D / 1 GB + 10 mins + 10 text is US$15.00

To keep things simple, the mins and text allowance increases by a factor of the GB plan ie 5 GB (60 days) + 50 mins + 50 SMS for US$50.

They appear to be providing a +43 number (Austria) and require an ID check (document upload) to approve.

I can’t see any Regional plans that come with calls/text options - not even Europe.

They’re not particularly cheap (unless you have a decent discount code). If you compare with say amaysim roaming bundle add ons to your existing Oz number:

International Roaming

Ditch daily roaming charges. Add roaming in 90+ selected destinations to your plan from just $20, with 365 days to use.

www.amaysim.com.au

When I switch over from Optus to amaysim in the coming months, I’ll probably just pre purchase an “Epic” A$70 bundle just prior to my next OS trip and renew thereafter. My understanding is that unused allowances roll over. Used in conjunction with one or more Local / Regional data only eSIMs, it appears that amaysim ought to be a good solution for regular travellers paying their own way on telco costs.

 

[ellen10]

I am an existing Amaysim customer and have just purchased the $70 plan for our trip commencing next week.

 

[SYD]

I am an existing Amaysim customer and have just purchased the $70 plan for our trip commencing next week.

Let’s us know how it goes. SYD+1 switched over almost a month ago but won’t be back OS until June.

In general, I’ve found Optus roaming reception OS to be ok and I’d expect amaysim to be similar.

 

[Zinger]

I’ve used the Amaysim $70 roaming pack in Singapore Malaysia and Japan in conjunction with other local esims. I bought it so I could receive SMS verifications from my credit card provider and bank. Also because i wanted data if one of the local esims I bought failed.

Amaysim’s roaming pack worked perfectly every time and it’s easy to keep check of the usage.

I’m about to head off to Europe using a European esim with Amaysim as a back up.