Traveling across the world has never been easier. Now, you can go to the skies and visit other countries at the drop of a hat. We’ve never had it this good before!
Despite the limitless options for destinations, there is still one hurdle every traveler heading abroad must face. Avoiding expensive roaming charges. These happen when you use your smartphone outside your home country. And they can quickly grow in size, costing you a small fortune if left unchecked.
Thankfully, the travel industry is changing, and a new way of avoiding these extra expenses is here. eSIMs are being hailed as a more flexible and convenient travel option. But are they all they’re cooked up to be? Let’s look at how they fare against traditional roaming plans.
What are eSIMs? And how do they compare to roaming plans?
Before now, travelers relied on roaming plans to use their smartphones abroad. This is when domestic network operators partner with providers in other countries. While a lifeline for many and still used today, these packages can be limited.
You’re at the mercy of who your operator chooses to partner with at your destination. And there are always restrictive terms and conditions to follow. Worst of all, travelers could face premium daily rates with unstable coverage.
Thankfully, new technology is giving travelers a choice when connecting to networks. At this point, you may wonder what an eSIM is and how it works.
An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded directly within your smartphone. It simplifies changing your operator and helps to connect you to the best local networks in your destination. It is fast becoming a must-have travel tool.
With an eSIM, you no longer have to buy and install physical SIM cards for each new country you visit. Or rely on pre-determined roaming plans. Instead, you can control your desired network all within an app. As you can change and store more than one profile, it’s an ideal way to stay connected while traveling for long periods.
Juniper Research has found that eSIMs have already become a major disruptor in the mobile roaming market. As more manufacturers adopt the technology, the industry’s value is predicted to soar to $3.5 billion by 2027.
Figures and projections aside, can eSIMs replace roaming packages? Let’s compare both under different travel criteria to find out:
Convenience and flexibility
One of the most significant selling points of an eSIM card is its convenience. So long as your phone is compatible with the technology, you can easily set up an eSIM package. All you have to do is download an eSIM app, select a suitable plan, and you’re good to go!
While on your trip, your service provider will already have done the heavy lifting. You’ll be connected to all the best local networks in your area with no research required. Moreover, you’ll enjoy reliable coverage throughout your entire trip.
Roaming plans are also straightforward, but they do have some frustrating limitations. While you can research package options, you ultimately have no control over who your operator partners with when abroad.
Depending on your location, you might have a poor reception and no way to improve it. Worse, you will still be expected to pay the same daily rates, making it very restricting.
Price and value
Price is essential when deciding whether to take out an eSIM plan or roaming package. And there is a clear winner in terms of the value.
With eSIMs, your package is prepaid at local rates. This means you’re getting data at the best price possible. If we look at industry prices, providers like Saily show the typical eSIMs price package for a 1GB 7-day plan can be enjoyed for under $4.
With eSIMs, your package is easy to track and extend if needed. Because you prepay for the service, you know how much you’re paying and won’t receive surprise charges. Couple this with improved reliability, and the value of eSIMs speaks for itself.
On the other hand, roaming packages are often sold at a daily rate. There’s no standard price across the industry, so you’re at the mercy of your network’s generosity. That said, travelers are typically charged more than domestic phone contracts.
On top of that, you’re charged for the day, regardless of if you use all the data or not. Depending on the provider, roaming packages may have strict fair-use terms and conditions. With UK operator O2, for example, travelers may incur roaming surcharges if they travel for lengthy periods. These can catch you by surprise and dent a big hole in your budget.
As such, the cost and value of roaming packages can spiral. And no one size fits all. Depending on the country, you may face different prices, terms, and quality of service. For this reason, eSIMs provide more consistent value for short and long-term trips.
User-friendly and compatibility
Despite being an emerging technology, most new smartphone models are compatible with eSIMs. You’ll likely need to research a provider, download their app, and opt for a suitable package to get started. And presto—you’re done!
That said, there is a slim chance older devices will be unable to use eSIM technology. Additionally, you must check whether your phone is carrier-locked. If it is, you must get it unlocked before being allowed to swap networks.
Setting up and using a roaming package is relatively straightforward. As long as you turn on data roaming settings on your smartphone, a package from your domestic operator should automatically kick in.
However, there are concerns over this presumed easiness. Automatically accepting and activating a package could cause trouble for your phone bill. You might go above and beyond fair-use policies or incur charges if you use your data allowance without realizing it.
For that reason, the research involved in picking an eSIM package can be seen as a blessing. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and how long your package will last. This can help you keep tabs on your smartphone expenses with ease.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Using VPNs for Streaming Sports Live
eSIMs are the true travel companion
Overall, eSIMs are the ideal travel buddy for the future. Not only do they remove the headache of data use while overseas, but they can help you save money, too. You will get the best local rates and the best selection of networks in your area.
While roaming packages have long been the default choice, they are too restrictive. You must accept the network your operator partners with and pay premium daily rates for the privilege. While easy to set up, they are no longer the only choice in town.
