eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

And Boost, which is owned by Telstra but cheaper. I’m using boost without any roaming plan, Airalo for data and can make/receive wifi calls when not on wifi (uses data eSIM instead). Works a treat for calls to and from AU, but you can’t make calls to overseas numbers. So I paid a little extra for a global plan that included calls.

I looked at Boost as an option to replace Optus but they’re still a tad more expensive than some other options and the paid international roaming add ons are still very expensive (putting aside wifi calling - when available). It’s useful in Oz as primary domestic telco if you need the Telstra network coverage but for me, wasn’t worth the premium being SYD metro based.

 

[Scarlett]

@SYD and all: I can report that the EscapeSIM eSIM setup has worked perfectly thus far.

I purchased 3 eSIMs during an olympics sale and have now activated all three in Europe two months later. Mrs and Mstr Scarlett activated theirs during a transit at FCO and both picked up an Italian provider no problem. I activated mine during a transit in ATH and it picked up a Greek provider straight away.

We’re all now in Lisbon and again, no issues connecting to a Portuguese network.

For AUD8, 5GB data and a 30 day usage window across 30+ European countries, it was better than anything I could find on FlexiRoam or Airalo.

 

[SYD]

@SYD and all: I can report that the EscapeSIM eSIM setup has worked perfectly thus far.

I purchased 3 eSIMs during an olympics sale and have now activated all three in Europe two months later. Mrs and Mstr Scarlett activated theirs during a transit at FCO and both picked up an Italian provider no problem. I activated mine during a transit in ATH and it picked up a Greek provider straight away.

We’re all now in Lisbon and again, no issues connecting to a Portuguese network.

For AUD8, 5GB data and a 30 day usage window across 30+ European countries, it was better than anything I could find on FlexiRoam or Airalo.

Yes, that’s quite good value. Comparable to Monty eSIM (another one I’ve not tried yet but know they charge US$5.50 or about A$8 for 5GB/30d Euro region.

Have noticed if it’s connecting to 5G networks? After I posted my question earlier, I did notice that EacapeSIM was only 4G in NZ. I’ve not checked the euro plans.

 

[Scarlett]

Don’t have a 5G phone, so .

Belay that last: Mrs Scarlett says her phone has connected to 5G.

 

[SYD]

Don’t have a 5G phone, so .

Belay that last: Mrs Scarlett says her phone has connected to 5G.

Well, that’s good to know.

Maybe NZ are still waiting for 5G….

Just joking, I know there’s some if you hold your hand up high enough…

 

[lovestotravel]

Haven't seen an Airalo discount for a while

 

[SYD]

Haven't seen an Airalo discount for a while

Not sure I’ve ever seen one!

Flexiroam has something every other day - some better than others. Eskimo has the occasional deal.

 

[RealtimeY]

Haven't seen an Airalo discount for a while

Cashrewards has 15% cashback at the moment, on top of 10% off with coupon code CR10

Airalo | 15% cashback, Coupons & Promo Codes

15% cashback deals from Airalo when you purchase online from Cashrewards. Start saving today!

www.cashrewards.com.au

 

[lovestotravel]

Cashrewards has 15% cashback at the moment, on top of 10% off with coupon code CR10

Airalo | 15% cashback, Coupons & Promo Codes

15% cashback deals from Airalo when you purchase online from Cashrewards. Start saving today!

www.cashrewards.com.au

Thanks I'll take that as I haven't seen any other big discounts this year

 

[SYD]

I recently tried out Monty eSIM in NZ. I have a big trip to Europe coming up and Monty is half the price of Flexiroam and Airalo.

3GB/30d/US$4.99 (which was plenty of data for 1 wk - including driving/navigation)

Unfortunately, they didn’t have a 2GB option but I probably could have got away with 1GB/7d/US$2.99. Remembering to download Offline maps before you start driving saves sooo much data!

Anyway, the Good:
- pretty reliable on Spark network (my amaysim/Optus primary line was glued to Spark the whole time also).
- connected to 5G network where available but often showed “3G” (and 4G) but the “3G” seemed to work reasonable well - so maybe that was some sort of 3G+ in NZ?
- didn’t seem to gobble up data usage that I’ve seen on Airalo
- help desk was responsive and resolved a major issue (see below)

the Bad:
- initial eSIM installation hung up. Not sure why but maybe it wanted to connect to a NZ network to complete and I was still at home when I installed the eSIM…(who wants to be installing eSIMs over dodgy airport wifi?… I was expecting the eSIM to work on wheels down…)
- installation did seem to fix itself eventually once in NZ and it connected to the network but no data (which either means in valid plan or APN setup error).
- contacted help desk via app chat (that went through to WhatsApp)
- yes, default APN was wrong…

the Dodgy:
- browsing some websites they thought I was in Singapore. Obviously the data access was routed back there.
- I actually though that Monty was a UK provider…
- I also saw one message “that access from mainland China was not possible”!
- so I used VPN thereafter…

So not sure I’ll use them again. Might have to do some more research on where they’re actually hosted. But the price is quite reasonable.

I also I don’t know if new plans will work off the same eSIM or it’s one of those silly seperate eSIM for each plan situation? Hopefully I can just had plans if I do use them again.

 

[knagelli]

Hi Experts , We have an upcoming trip to Vietnam in December for 15 days. As the international roaming with Telstra is 10$ per day , looking at options to buy a prepaid eSim that gives data and calls. I have checked few of the plans for Airalo , Holafly , eTravelSim , Simsdirect but all of them are providing data only options.

Can someone please suggest any recommendations for plans that include calls + data as I don't want to activate the international roaming with Telstra.

Appreciate your help.

 

[moa999]

, default APN was wrong…....

Not uncommon depending on how you install it (and apple v android). Not all the methods manage to change the APN. Always important to read the instructions.

- browsing some websites they thought I was in Singapore. Obviously the data access was routed back there.
- though that Monty was a UK provider…
- saw one message “that access from mainland China was not possible”!

Again not uncommon. Where the provider is based doesn't necessarily equal where they buy data.
Flexirom in early days was Aus/Malaysian based but data was from Jersey.
Now I think for most providers it depends on the plan you purchase, so it might be more regional based.

Personally while using I prefer to get 4G data - as then my second SIM can roam on VOLTE (Telstra MVNO so no charges) - but few of the eSIM providers give you detailed info on what bands.

plans that include calls + data

As above, the provides are often using roaming networks so only provide data. If you need a local number a local Sim (or possibly eSIM by going to carriers website would be better).
For making calls Skype out is still useful, and many hotels have WhatsApp accounts these days.

 

[RealtimeY]

Not sure why but maybe it wanted to connect to a NZ network to complete and I was still at home when I installed the eSIM

I agree that's probably why it seemed to hang. I actually don't mind this, because I also like to pre-install before arriving it but I don't want it actually connecting and activating before I'm ready. Just wait a few moments for the error and happily turn it off until you arrive.

Not all eSIMs do this though! Some will connect right away despite not being in a coverage area.

As for the location thing I'd say that's singlehandedly the biggest disadvantage of most cheap travel SIMs, which are cheap because they route through an Asian or European country despite you being very far away. Some online stores will tell you what provider they use under the hood so you can make a more informed choice, but usually it's hidden.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Can someone please suggest any recommendations for plans that include calls + data as I don't want to activate the international roaming with Telstra.

When you say that you want Calls, do you mean calls to/from Australian numbers, or calls to/from Vietnamese numbers, or both (or something else)?

If all you want is to/from Australian numbers, I have relied on Telstra wifi calling using a data only eSIM (or hotel wifi).

 

[knagelli]

When you say that you want Calls, do you mean calls to/from Australian numbers, or calls to/from Vietnamese numbers, or both (or something else)?

It is going to be local calling in vietnam. Just in case if we have to call the hotel or travel agent or any other local business. Thanks

 

[SYD]

I agree that's probably why it seemed to hang. I actually don't mind this, because I also like to pre-install before arriving it but I don't want it actually connecting and activating before I'm ready. Just wait a few moments for the error and happily turn it off until you arrive.

Not all eSIMs do this though! Some will connect right away despite not being in a coverage area.

I had a 30d plan for a 1wk trip (and flying next day), so no real drama activating it early - in theory.

One reason I default to Flexiroam is you can had as many plan as you want/need to the same eSIM and activate each individual plan via the app as required. It’s also smart enough to use the best plan when there are overlaps eg Country / Regional / Global in that order.

As for the location thing I'd say that's singlehandedly the biggest disadvantage of most cheap travel SIMs, which are cheap because they route through an Asian or European country despite you being very far away. Some online stores will tell you what provider they use under the hood so you can make a more informed choice, but usually it's hidden.

Yep, I always try and research where an eSIM provider is based. There are a lot out of China that I quickly ignore. Some are quite murky and probably best avoided.

Most of the early search results eSIMDB should be treated with caution.

Not uncommon depending on how you install it (and apple v android). Not all the methods manage to change the APN. Always important to read the instructions.

Yes, I do. The email from Monty said something like - if the APN is wrong, change it (but didn’t provide the actual APN to use)! I couldn’t find anything in the app FAQ or online either.

Airalo and Flexiroam usually provide the APN info in the confirmation email.

But you’d think that installing an eSIM via the native app should work 99.9% of the time or it will just turn off non tech savvy users from using eSIMs?

Fortunately, I had a pretty good idea what was wrong and the first thing I sent to helpdesk guy was a screenshot of the APN setting….

It is going to be local calling in vietnam. Just in case if we have to call the hotel or travel agent or any other local business. Thanks

You could check if they use WhatApp. I lot of places are doing that now.

But as above, at Telstra has wifi calling. So you could do it over wifi.

 

[knagelli]

But as above, at Telstra has wifi calling. So you could do it over wifi.

Apologies if that sounds dumb , but are we saying that we can use wifi calling whilst overseas to call local numbers in other countries without having to incur international roaming charges. Thanks

 

[encryptededdy]

Apologies if that sounds dumb , but are we saying that we can use wifi calling whilst overseas to call local numbers in other countries without having to incur international roaming charges. Thanks

No, you cannot make calls to numbers outside Australia whilst WiFi calling overseas

 

[SYD]

No, you cannot make calls to numbers outside Australia whilst WiFi calling overseas

Yeah, getting ahead of myself with that one!

WhatsApp - where available for hotels, car hire and restaurants etc

Telstra Wifi calling to/from home.

I’m pretty happy with the amaysim roaming add on. $20 for 12mth of calls/txt (capped at 100mins/100 txt but can be replenished for another $20 and unused credit stacks).

But if switching telco isn’t an option, maybe just an Airalo Global data/calls/txt plan? Still cheaper than Telstra $10 pd!

136 countries (including Vietnam).

 

[Katie]

I went to the US two weeks ago, and used the T-Mobile app to get a 30 day eSIM (I'll be back within the time period). I was able to use the email address that has previously been used with a T-Mobile account, unlike prior visits where I had to create a burner email account.
The eSIM worked fine. It also gave me some free in-flight wifi for my AA flights.