Jun 5, 23, 7:06 pm
Last edit by: username
Free data/trials (control-f to find the actual section for each provider)
Be ADVISED: ALL Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong version of EVERY Phone DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT for eSim
eSIM features to consider
Unique feature
Longer term data (180day to no expiry)
PAYG data
- Eskimo 1GB 2year
- RedBullMobile 100MB 1year
- Yesim 350 coins 1 year
- ExtremeConnect
Be ADVISED: ALL Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong version of EVERY Phone DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT for eSim
- Best device = Apple iPhone
- Supports dual eSIM (most android phones w/ eSIM have 1 physical + 1 eSIM slot, but cannot use 2 eSIMs together)
- Depending on carrier, supports DSDV (VoLTE voice calls on sim1 gets routed through sim2.data, as though you were doing WiFi calling)
- Some androids might support DSDV
- esim.me
- Allows you to use eSIM on non-native eSIM device
- Requires supported/modern phone
- Pricey / confusing options
eSIM features to consider
- Network coverage
- which networks are supported (not all eSIM list the networks, and networks can change overtime)
- You may want to avoid lower-tier networks or if your phone doesn't support their LTE/5G bands
- Amount of data
- "Unlimited" data typically has fair usage in ToS/fineprint, eg 0.5-1GB per day or 1GB every 3 days, reset on 4th day midnight. may or may not allow hotspot
- Generally data-limited plans allow full-speed w/ hotspot, some offer slow 128kbps after you hit the limit while others cut you off immediately)
- length of coverage
- eg: 1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 30day, 180day, 365day, noExpiry
- Country coverage (single country, regional/EU, global)
- Proxy/Latency/IP
- Most eSIM providers route you back to their main network, which can incur latency
- Your searches will probably geo-locate back to that main network (instead of the country you're in)
- Some of your apps may not work (eg Pandora radio only works in USA, won't work in another country)
- Data sharing / transfering of eSIM to new device
- A few providers allow you to share data, so you can split one plan with multiple eSIM devices (Eskimo, Dent, Vegolink)
- Many providers only allow you to activate eSIM profile once. if you have to switch phones, you either lose that data, or have to pay a token amount to get a new eSIM profile with the remaining balance
- Price/GB
- How data is counted per session
- Usually in ToS, usually its rounded up per 1KB/10KB/100KB/1MB increments. Obviously smaller increment is better
- Method of activation
- Some providers require you to use their app to load the eSIM
- Others send you QR code and/or activation URL, for you to manually load onto phone
- You need valid network access (via wifi or existing mobile data) to activate eSIM
- Expiry countdown
- Some providers start counting down expiry once you purchase, or once you activate eSIM onto phone, or once you set foot into country
- Speed
- generally these eSIM providers get low priority, could be a problem if there is network congestion
- you may want to consider a proper provider over an MVNO
- Visual Voicemail - it seems depending on the phone and carrier, Visual Voicemail might require a Cellular Connection through your provider or their roaming partners. So, Visual Voicemail might not work if you are using a data-only eSIM with roaming turned off for your "home line"
Unique feature
- Ubigi
- free eSIM profile. If you don't have valid plan, the eSIM still allows you to connect & browse ubigi.me (and purchase data via creditcard/paypal)
- Seems native geo-located IP but still through a regional proxy with some latency (Transactel owns part of Ubigi, and Transactel has their own backend)
Longer term data (180day to no expiry)
- Yesim (coins expire 1 year)
- Dent (1 year)
- Eskimo (2 year)
- Esimplus (no expiry)
- AIS eSIM2Fly topup (365 day)
- 3HK (365 day)
PAYG data
- Yesim (varies, deducts from sharedWallet)
- Dent (10/GB)
- RedBullMobile (varies, need to prepay per GB)
eSIM thread
Sep 27, 23, 9:45 pm
#541
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 384
So with my Pixel 6 if I want my incoming calls to my Google Fi service to be automatically
forwarded (making my phone ring). I should set my eSim to roaming while international ?
Is that correct? Can a successful user confirm that set up worked for them ?
Sep 28, 23, 12:07 am
#542
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Peoria, IL
Programs: AA,UA,DL,BA,HH,*W,BW
Posts: 172
That's great that they changed that - it might have made sense before the ubiquity of roaming eSIMs.
While I'm checking out things to find out what works and what doesn't - it it still correct that background calling does not work in US model Samsung Galaxy phones (I know it has worked on non US Galaxys for a while)?
While I'm checking out things to find out what works and what doesn't - it it still correct that background calling does not work in US model Samsung Galaxy phones (I know it has worked on non US Galaxys for a while)?
Sep 28, 23, 10:41 am
#543
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,689
Background calling (or called Auto Data Switching by Samsung) means that if the SIM that you use for talk and SMS (we'll call that SIM 1) has no usable signal, the phone will use the data signal in the other SIM (SIM 2) to put the call through. This can be useful when roaming. iPhones have it by default.
Last edited by BigFlyer; Sep 28, 23 at 11:17 am
Sep 28, 23, 11:08 am
#544
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,222
Hi,
Longtime lurker here. I have a new iPhone 15 on its way but due to a problem with AT&T it will not arrive in time for my Italy trip in 2 weeks.
My iPhone 11 does have a physical SIM and a second slot for another one.
We fly into Rome and depart for Florence on the train. Upon departing Florence several days later I will pick up a car and we have several days of free time in Tuscany, with our hotel located in Siena. I imagine I will rely on Waze or Google Nav quite a bit.
What is the best method/company in Italy for me to get a local SIM for a 10 day trip?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Longtime lurker here. I have a new iPhone 15 on its way but due to a problem with AT&T it will not arrive in time for my Italy trip in 2 weeks.
My iPhone 11 does have a physical SIM and a second slot for another one.
We fly into Rome and depart for Florence on the train. Upon departing Florence several days later I will pick up a car and we have several days of free time in Tuscany, with our hotel located in Siena. I imagine I will rely on Waze or Google Nav quite a bit.
What is the best method/company in Italy for me to get a local SIM for a 10 day trip?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
To check your iPhone 11status: go to settings, general, about then scroll to Carrier Lock for the status. My iPhone 14 has No Sim restrictions which is unlocked. You can submit an unlock request through this link.
Last edited by TGarza; Oct 4, 23 at 11:29 am
Sep 28, 23, 3:19 pm
#545
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 7,979
Oct 4, 23, 2:17 am
#547
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 28
Note that the trial is only for one country per email address used. You sign up with an email address and are then sent a promo code which you can use in the Just eSim app. Make sure that you set it up for the country where you will be visiting the most. If you want the 200Mb for other countries then you must sign up again.
Oct 4, 23, 6:39 am
#548
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,192
Note that the trial is only for one country per email address used. You sign up with an email address and are then sent a promo code which you can use in the Just eSim app. Make sure that you set it up for the country where you will be visiting the most. If you want the 200Mb for other countries then you must sign up again.
they're not the cheapest pricing but they say refund if <10% data used or not activated within 6 months.
Their FAQ suggests no proxy, but who can confirm with the trial?
Oct 5, 23, 1:04 pm
#551
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, AA*EXP, VA-Plat, Marriott*LTPP, Hyatt*Globalist That's*Enough
Posts: 5,681
Just had a great experience with Monty SIM - US$18 for 30 day 10GB in the global countries I was travelling to (AU/NZ/JP/US/IT/UK/DE/FI). 5G in most areas.
WhatsApp customer support responsive.
WhatsApp customer support responsive.
Oct 7, 23, 8:59 pm
#552
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 268
I’ve been trying to figure this out for ages without luck. Perhaps someone here has the answer?
I have 3 eSIMs on my iPhone 15 Pro (same config as previous 3 iPhones). My 2 domestic plans are Verizon and AT&T. I have those turned on stateside and everything works great. My 3rd eSIM is Google Fi (full cell eSIM, not data-only). I use the Google Fi eSIM whenever I am overseas. I usually turn off both my Verizon and AT&T lines and turn on the Google Fi eSIM upon landing OCONUS. Unfortunately, this process apparently disassociates my Verizon and AT&T numbers from my iCloud account, and I stop getting iMessages intended for those numbers on my phone.
When I tested this process domestically, I get a little message under settings/cellular that says that my Verizon and AT&T numbers will be removed from iCloud in 30 days, which would work just fine for me (since my trips are usually 2 weeks tops and then I return home, turn them back on, and everything works). This hasn’t been the actual behaviour I’ve seen, though.
Is there a way to keep my domestic numbers associated with iCloud when I turn the eSIM off? How are you folks doing it?
I have 3 eSIMs on my iPhone 15 Pro (same config as previous 3 iPhones). My 2 domestic plans are Verizon and AT&T. I have those turned on stateside and everything works great. My 3rd eSIM is Google Fi (full cell eSIM, not data-only). I use the Google Fi eSIM whenever I am overseas. I usually turn off both my Verizon and AT&T lines and turn on the Google Fi eSIM upon landing OCONUS. Unfortunately, this process apparently disassociates my Verizon and AT&T numbers from my iCloud account, and I stop getting iMessages intended for those numbers on my phone.
When I tested this process domestically, I get a little message under settings/cellular that says that my Verizon and AT&T numbers will be removed from iCloud in 30 days, which would work just fine for me (since my trips are usually 2 weeks tops and then I return home, turn them back on, and everything works). This hasn’t been the actual behaviour I’ve seen, though.
Is there a way to keep my domestic numbers associated with iCloud when I turn the eSIM off? How are you folks doing it?
Last edited by immaculate; Oct 8, 23 at 12:53 am Reason: Typo
Oct 8, 23, 7:04 am
#553
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 550
I'm guessing here, but IMS service may provide a solution to your dilemma. That should keep your US line active without incurring roaming charges by using the Fi service for network access. Your i15 Pro should work for this configuration and will also give you 24/7 free US number calling while overseas. You can test it here at home for familiarization prior to travel. Your voice line will need to find a non roaming partner at your destination, but that only takes a minute or two typically. I use this feature on every trip now, and I can call my wifes' phone wherever we are, and have all US numbers available without roaming charges.
IMS simply uses a data line as a pseudo WiFi connection for a voice line and simulated WiFi calling. The voice line needs to be set to a non roaming carrier in Settings-Network Selection, then after a few moments it will display no bars, and "Using Cellular Data" in the status bar, top of screen. It is very stable and reliable, with good voice quality if your Fi line has a decent connection. I assume your VZ and AT&T lines do not have roaming plans. If you need more details, search here on FT, or myself or others here can probably answer most questions you may have.
Edited to add: I just realized your VZ & AT&T lines need to have free WiFi US calls while roaming for this to give you free calling. I have T-Mobile and that feature is included in my plan. If not, you might need to look into an app that does give US WiFi calling.
IMS simply uses a data line as a pseudo WiFi connection for a voice line and simulated WiFi calling. The voice line needs to be set to a non roaming carrier in Settings-Network Selection, then after a few moments it will display no bars, and "Using Cellular Data" in the status bar, top of screen. It is very stable and reliable, with good voice quality if your Fi line has a decent connection. I assume your VZ and AT&T lines do not have roaming plans. If you need more details, search here on FT, or myself or others here can probably answer most questions you may have.
Edited to add: I just realized your VZ & AT&T lines need to have free WiFi US calls while roaming for this to give you free calling. I have T-Mobile and that feature is included in my plan. If not, you might need to look into an app that does give US WiFi calling.
Last edited by draver; Oct 8, 23 at 7:11 am
Oct 8, 23, 7:23 am
#554
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,851
One problem I found out setting up my Tello is that for Visual Voicemail to work, you have to be connected to the Tello network via cellular. This apparently is how Visual Voicemail was designed and is not unique to Tello. So, it is a downside if you rely on Visual Voicemail (which downloads and transcribes voicemail messages to your phone) and are overseas using a data eSIM (instead of having your native carrier's data roaming enable). In Tello's case, they don't even offer roaming so this is not possible at all.
Oct 8, 23, 6:05 pm
#555
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,222
One problem I found out setting up my Tello is that for Visual Voicemail to work, you have to be connected to the Tello network via cellular. This apparently is how Visual Voicemail was designed and is not unique to Tello. So, it is a downside if you rely on Visual Voicemail (which downloads and transcribes voicemail messages to your phone) and are overseas using a data eSIM (instead of having your native carrier's data roaming enable). In Tello's case, they don't even offer roaming so this is not possible at all.
