Internet and connectivity are terms that are used ubiquitously as their place in our lives are also as present and abundant. With the emergence of personal electronic devices that have the capability to connect to the internet, the means of how the internet connection is facilitated is as important. With constant business and leisure travel on the rise as COVID restrictions are lifted, we see that many people once again book their flights and trips to catch up on the missed travel in the past couple years. Although how one will access the internet on their travels might not come to their mind at first glance, it is important to prepare beforehand. eSIMs are here to change how we connects when we travel.
Internet connectivity has become so important that when travelers plan their trips, after securing their place of stay, flight, local transport, and in-destination plans; they try to make sure that they can find places where they can connect to the internet. Despite Wi-Fi being the connectivity means of choice for most travelers, it is undeniable that cellular connectivity is far more superior and safer. Cellular internet connectivity is not only more secure than Wi-Fi, but it also does not require the search for Wi-Fi routers and hot spots. Even though cellular internet is better, due to the high mobile data roaming prices, most travelers avoid using their mobile data roaming while traveling abroad.
eSIMs and eSIM technology aim to change this and allow travelers to connect in more convenient & affordable ways. eSIMs offer a new way of keeping travelers connected without going through the hassle of getting a local SIM card or the high fees of carrier data roaming. eSIMs are not physical cards that need to be swapped out and replaced. They can be easily activated digitally using QR codes or activation codes. The main reason why eSIM packages are objectively cheaper lies in the fact that they don’t utilize the infrastructure and distribution needed for SIM cards, plus they give the traveler more freedom of choice. Through their ability to utilize more than one telecom provider, eSIMs can offer better internet connectivity to their customers regardless of where they are located.
In addition to better connectivity and better prices, eSIMs are also easy to use. Travelers don’t have to worry about either buying a physical SIM card at their destination or place of origin. Because eSIM modules are integrated in most recent devices, no other physical module is necessary for the authentication of the user. Travelers may easily purchase their eSIMs and related packages online and activate them with ease of scanning a QR code.
While international travel is the perfect use case of eSIMs, eSIM can also be used as a means of cellular connectivity for secondary personal devices. For example, a customer may choose to have a physical SIM card on their phone but might not want to go through the cumbersome commitment to another SIM card plan for their laptop or tablet. That is where eSIMs come into play. Since eSIM packages are more often only equipped with internet plans rather than a phone number, travelers and users don’t have to deal with the paperwork associated with regular SIM cards (e.g., in certain countries a user photo ID need to be provided to get a SIM card). As a result, many consumers choose to use eSIMs for their secondary devices rather than purchasing traditional SIMs, especially when they don’t want to commit to a monthly plan.
Regardless of the fact that eSIMs are a game-changer for both travelers and local users, it does have its downsides. Because eSIMs are units that are integrated within most devices, in circumstances where a user wants to use both an eSIM and a physical SIM, the devices run out of battery faster than usual. Also, because eSIM technology is only available in recent devices – starting with Google Pixel 2 in 2017 and iPhone XR/XS in 2018 – mobile users of older devices won’t be able to benefit from eSIM until they upgrade their device.
It is undeniable that eSIM is not only a great option for international travelers due to its affordability and convenience but is also a wireless technology with endless local possibilities. Whether it be for personal use for an int’l trip (on smartphone), remote work (on laptop), or road trips (on tablets), eSIM technology will surely come in handy for those who seek to enhance their connectivity experience.
CELITECH is a leading eSIM API platform, helping online businesses and apps to offer cellular data through eSIMs. If you’re interested to check how eSIM can improve your company’s mobile engagement and up-sales, contact us now to learn more.
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