I don't know what the inactivity period is on it, but I purchased mine in early 2020 from a vending machine at LHR. I half expected it to disconnect, but I was able to do a normal top up via a voucher from WHSmith when I first came back in September 2021. I've been averaging at least one trip per year to the UK, so I'll let this stay active as long as I can. I don't know if there is an option to convert this to an eSIM, but, like you, I don't want to jeopardize the grandfathered plan. In that sense, a physical SIM is more durable.

Outside of travel eSIMs from Airalo, the only other eSIMs that I have are ones for T-Mobile (US) and Taiwan Mobile. I don't mind if I lose access to an Airalo eSIM, and, since the T-Mobile and Taiwan Mobile eSIMs are tied to services registered to me, there is a recovery process if something happens to the eSIM.

Absolutely mind numbing bad experience with Airolo - much worse than last time.

First the plan wouldn’t activate even though the esim was activated. Over an hour of WhatsApp chat and finally I was sent manual instructions to connect to a specific network in Japan and update the APN. I asked for a refund so I could get a sim from another company but they refused.

Next, landed in Korea and same problem. This time the data wouldn’t activate on any available network so I had enough given it was just a layover and the terminal WiFi was very fast. I complained again and was offered a pro-rated refund for the unused data.

Of course now I’m typing this onboard where the sim miraculously started working after they canceled it :rolleyes:

I’m giving Airolo a stay-away review.

Sorry to hear that. I used Airalo esim for the first time this past November in Tokyo and it worked flawlessly. The whole process was so seamless that I'll probably use it again in January.

I just received an e-mail today about the Three UK and Vodafone UK merger being approved, so we'll see what ends up happening.

Well then 🥲. I wonder which of them would come out on top and I kind of wished I’d gotten an Irish SIM card instead.

From what I'm reading, it will be Vodafone.

I think all the esim providers are on very slim margins. Which means most of the time when it works - that's great. But when there is a problem - they are all going to suck because the business model doesn't allow robust customer service.

FWIW, when I have had pr:(blems with new SIM/eSIM plans it was always due to an incorrect / missing APN setting.

I spent some time in chat with Australian carriers about prepaid eSIM options.

Right now they only seem to offer to convert physical SIMs to eSIMs for you in their stores.

They only offer "direct eSIM" -- you order an eSIM and get a QR-code by email -- only on postpaid plans. Some Asian carriers will do exactly this, you can order online and you get an email with a QR-code, never have to go into any physical store.

Looks like Apple devices are eSIM-only now, going forward.

So hopefully they come up with better ways to get prepaid eSIMs, not just in Australia but pretty much everywhere.

I'd rather deal directly with carriers than through these eSIM MVNOs. For one thing, the prepaid SIM kits you can buy in Australia are way way more competitive than any Australia eSIM offers from these eSIM MVNOs.

Setting up roamless for an upcoming trip. If Royal2000H or someone else can PM referral code, I’ll appreciate it. Thanks

Only US-sold iPhones since the 14 are eSIM-only as of today (though the rumoured ‘iPhone 17 Slim’ may change that).

Those bought in other regions still have at least one physical SIM slot; IIRC, most from HK / China have two physical SIMs.

There's a WINTER24 coupon (load $10+ get another $10), unsure if it stacks with referral.

There are APN options for Roamless, which I find useful (3 regional breakouts)

https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comme...mless/lu6us3b/

Supposedly this prepaid Irish Vodafone eSim gives a phone number and free calls to the UK and the rest of Europe. Unlimited data roaming in Europe with a max of 40GB before it starts charging money for data. All for 20 euro for a whole month and can be bought and activated online even before traveling.

https://n.vodafone.ie/shop/pay-as-yo...g-ireland.html

https://n.vodafone.ie/content/dam/go...p-Up-Offer.pdf

https://n.vodafone.ie/support/mobile...ng-abroad.html

Not the case. Many of the providers support eSIM from the get-go.

https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/esim will give you an idea of who supports eSIM, although that list isn't 100% clear as to which support them from the start (eg, the first MVNO on the list, Amaysim, definitely supports them for new customers even though that isn't clear).

Note that presuming you're not an Australian citizen/resident, you'll need to have an Australia evisa/ETA in order to sign up for a SIM plan of any form. I think you can do this before you're physically in Australia, although I'm not 100% sure on that.

US iPhones are eSIM only which is why all US providers now support them (for iPhones at least). non-US iPhones still have a SIM card slot, so not all providers globally support eSIMs yet.

Yeah you need ETA to board flights to Australia.

but I never had to present it for SIMs. I went to supermarkets and bought kits, put it in iPad and it worked.

Amayasim does have eSIM kits at retail. They are an MVNO which tend to offer speed limits. They’re on Optus network which I haven’t tried. Only have use Vodafone or Telstra.

Some carriers require using their apps for installing esims. But they’re not in the US App Store though they claim when I’m in Australia I would be able to download.

Never heard that App Store allows apps to be geofenced.