eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

Where does the Eskimo data routes via (if in roaming mode)? A lot of these go via. Thailand or Singapore.

It's not a big deal but a non-local IP sometimes breaks country specific services, and it also just makes general usage worse due to increased latency.

I don’t know for sure, but they’re Singaporean - so that’s probably a good starting point.

I’ve only used my existing Eskimo freebie a couple of times but it seemed to work ok. Although, it can take a good few minutes to register on a local network the first time you turn it on in a new country. To the point that a couple of times I’ve assumed country X wasn’t covered only to connect shortly thereafter.

Note also they cap out at 4G/LTE. The app provides a country network coverage listing.

I’d be considering something like this as a convenient “annual” roaming plan but when I’m spending a bit of time in one specific country or region, I’d probably look at an appropriate size and duration plan from say Flexiroam etc.

 

[SYD]

Flexiroam 40% off ALL data plans.

Use code ALL40FR. Up to 3 mths after purchase before you have to activate.

This must be the best offer I’ve seen since Flexiroam rolled out a new pricing structure (similar to Airalo) a while back.

 

[DejaBrew]

Flexiroam 40% off ALL data plans.

Use code ALL40FR. Up to 3 mths after purchase before you have to activate.

This must be the best offer I’ve seen since Flexiroam rolled out a new pricing structure (similar to Airalo) a while back.

Ends in 11 hours, but Shopback are doing 55% cashback. Might be worth comparing which is the cheaper option?

As an aside, I'm doing Japan in a couple of weeks' time. Was considering Ubigi, but interested to hear current opinions on that service vs anything else (including Flexiroam)? TIA.

 

[ShelleyB]

Ends in 11 hours, but Shopback are doing 55% cashback. Might be worth comparing which is the cheaper option?

As an aside, I'm doing Japan in a couple of weeks' time. Was considering Ubigi, but interested to hear current opinions on that service vs anything else (including Flexiroam)? TIA.

We have used Ubigi in Japan twice - first time in 2023 for 3 weeks, most recently a month or so ago for 10 days. Both times we have been very happy with the service. Excellent connectivity even in rural areas. Prices for Japan are very reasonable. On the most recent trip we used the 3Gb/30 days plan which was $8USD, and found that enough for our needs. I will also note that tethering/data sharing is allowed on most Ubigi plans (including Japan) which is not necessarily the case for all eSim suppliers. Tethering was important us to allow ShelleyB-son to use his iPad when wifi was not available.

 

[SYD]

Ends in 11 hours

You have 3mths to activate any plans purchased.

Edit: ah, I assume you’re referring to Shopback? The actual FR deal runs until midnight GMT on the 15th.

Shopback are doing 55% cashback. Might be worth comparing which is the cheaper option?

I don’t use it. Can’t be bothered but I have meant to look into it and personal data they harvesting.

As an aside, I'm doing Japan in a couple of weeks' time. Was considering Ubigi, but interested to hear current opinions on that service vs anything else (including Flexiroam)? TIA.

As above, Ubigi has been mentioned several times on this thread as good for Japan. I recall they might also be one of the ones that allows you to Hotwire the data and make Telstra wifi calling work over eSIM data.

I haven’t used Ubigi yet (although I have the app) and don’t have a Telstra based home plan, so Flexiroam is my current “go to” provider. It generally works very well.

I will also note that tethering/data sharing is allowed on most Ubigi plans (including Japan) which is not necessarily the case for all eSim suppliers. Tethering was important us to allow ShelleyB-son to use his iPad when wifi was not available.

I’ve not come across “no tethering” on the major eSIM providers so far but certainly pays to check!

I did once get a physical SIM from Orange FR. Great deal but lurking in the French Ts&Cs “no tethering” allowed….

 

[DejaBrew]

Thanks @ShelleyB and @SYD - I'm leaning towards giving Ubigi a go. Might just go with that and then report back based on my experience.

I don’t use it. Can’t be bothered but I have meant to look into it and personal data they harvesting.

I haven't looked at it in detail, but it surely can't be any worse than Everyday Rewards / Flybuys / QFF? FWIW, I have used Shopback, but find them less reliable in terms of accurately tracking purchases and awarding cashback vs their main competitor, Cashrewards.

 

[SYD]

Flexiroam 40% off ALL data plans.

Use code ALL40FR. Up to 3 mths after purchase before you have to activate.

This must be the best offer I’ve seen since Flexiroam rolled out a new pricing structure (similar to Airalo) a while back.

Oops, not so fine print was ALL plans of 5GB+ including “Unlimited” data plans.

By “ALL” they mean any Country, Regional or Global plan 5 GB or more…

 

[serfty]

Oops, not so fine print was ALL plans of 5GB+ including “Unlimited” data plans.

By “ALL” they mean any Country, Regional or Global plan 5 GB or more…

I can understand the original belief given being presented with this:

 

[SYD]

I can understand the original belief given being presented with this:

View attachment 414850

Yep! But I was wondering why it wasn’t working on a 3GB Euro plan and went back to the email….

 

[moa999]

Yep. The Flexirom promos are often limited to the more expensive plans.

Anyhow I signed up with Eskimo, using the Reddit 1GB code, then bought the 1GB for US$7 with bonus 1GB code.
So 3GB over 2 years for A$11.

Confirmed with their support that they don't offer any data in Singapore itself which is a bit strange (Eskimo is based in Sing)

 

[SYD]

Yep. The Flexirom promos are often limited to the more expensive plans.

Hence my surprise!

Anyhow I signed up with Eskimo, using the Reddit 1GB code, then bought the 1GB for US$7 with bonus 1GB code.

What is the “Bonus 1GB” code?

 

[qaz]

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.

can you confirm that using a secondary e/SIM for Wi-Fi calling with your primary (Telstra MVNO) is only possible if the secondary is not roaming?

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.

why not Orange Poland (recent feedback)?

 

[qaz]

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.

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

convert your Telstra sim to esim, then use a physical Viettel sim (buy online or upon landing at the airport) - receive calls to your Telstra number via wi-fi calling to avoid roaming being activated

 

[SYD]

why not Orange Poland (recent feedback)?

I have a UK GiffGaff sim but the data only plans are cheaper.

 

[Quickstatus]

Anyone have experience with Saily esim app?. Select region /country within the app, pay and it installs esim onto phone

 

[Zinger]

Anyone have experience with Saily esim app?. Select region /country within the app, pay and it installs esim onto phone


View attachment 415482

I've used Saily twice.

It's very easy to set up

Firstly in South Korea for a month where it was quite reliable and the amount of data used was surprisingly reasonable.

Secondly in Japan for a month. Unreliable in that there was often no data getting through, pages and maps wouldn't load and were very slow when they did. It also chewed through the data allowance much faster than my home telco and other telcos I've used, including the Saily product I used in South Korea.

Perhaps take the 1Gb option and see how it goes. Have a back up plan just in case.

 

[SYD]

Anyone have experience with Saily esim app?. Select region /country within the app, pay and it installs esim onto phone


View attachment 415482

Its based out of the US (same developers as NordVPN) which is a good start. It also uses the one eSIM for all plans.

I might add to my list of contenders.

I suspect a few more "Black Friday" Sales coming along over the next few days.

 

[Quickstatus]

It seem very easy to use but appear to be Data only

 

[SYD]

It seem very easy to use but appear to be Data only

Yes, most of these eSIM solutions are data only.

Some do have call/txt add ons but not usually good value.

Who’s your Oz telco?