What is eSIM? All you need to know (including why and where to get one)

What is eSIM?

Just as with mobile phones, the technology of calling and switching between providers is constantly being improved. This is also the case with the development of the successor to the SIM card that most of us know. How often have you had to struggle to shove a tiny SIM card into your phone?

With a phone equipped with a handy eSIM, you don’t have to put a SIM card in your phone anymore. The eSIM card is already built into your phone. You get the right information (or a code) with your phone subscription. You enter this code on your phone (or on the prepaid eSIM card). After that you are ready to use your phone.

What does eSIM stand for?

What is an eSIM? The term “eSIM” simply means an embedded SIM card. There are no physical SIM cards involved and no physical swapping over required by you. ESIM stands for Embedded SIM. In short, the eSIM card is a SIM card that is already in your phone when you buy it.

When you sign up for a phone contract, the carrier gives you data or a code that you enter on your phone. This code will allow you to use the network of the chosen carrier with your phone and the built-in eSIM.

Is the eSIM card new?

The eSIM card is a new development, which is already built into some new phones. The eSIM is a digital SIM. So an eSIM card is already in your phone when you buy it. This is the successor to the small plastic SIM card that you have to put in your phone yourself when you sign up for a new contract. You won’t have to worry about losing or damaging a plastic SIM.

When is the digital SIM or eSIM card used?

As of 1 June 2016, smartphone/phone manufacturers are free to build a “universal SIM card” into any mobile phone. So there are already phones available with a built-in eSIM. Brands that are already bringing these phones to the market include Apple and Samsung.

Samsung will be the first to bring a device with the so-called “e-sim” onto the market. This will be the “Gear S2 classic 3G”. Apple has already developed an eSIM for their iPad that can communicate with different networks. This way you can switch between carriers with this phone and iPad and use different phone subscriptions with the same phone or iPad. Making prepaid calls with an eSIM becomes even easier this way.

Is this the end of the “physical SIM card”?

No, it will not be the end of the physical SIM card. Smartphones will still be made with a SIM card slot, where a physical SIM can be inserted. The e-sims will be integrated especially smartwatches and tablets In time, the development will, of course, continue into more mobile phones. In the years to come, it will remain possible to buy a new phone, smartwatch or tablet with a physical (prepaid) SIM card or an eSIM.

How do you get an eSIM card?

This SIM card is provided by your provider and the card allows your phone to connect to the network of your provider. In the future you will no longer need to install a SIM card in your phone. You only need to add the profile of your phone provider to the built-in eSIM. It is possible to add multiple profiles of different carriers to your eSIM.

Which networks in the UK offer eSIM phone plans?

Currently, Three, Vodafone and 02 offer eSIM plans, as well as DENT. DENT offers carrier services for 60 different countries worldwide. Want to know if your favourite carrier is already offering these? Here you can find out more about the carriers that offer an eSIM option for calling and data usage.

Which networks in the US offer eSIM phone plans?

With an eSIM in your phone you can avoid all the hassle of having to switch your SIM card when you want to make use of another carrier or of a cheaper network with your phone. There are quite a few carriers offering eSIM plans in the US. Examples of Us carriers offering affordable eSIM plans are Truphone, T-Mobile and Surfroam. T-Mobile US offers coverage with an eSIM in over 200 destinations around the world. Surfroam and US Mobile offer services for over 140 countries. Check out an overview of carriers offering US eSIM plans here.

The advantages of an eSIM card

What are the advantages of using an eSIM card for consumers? The biggest advantage of having a device with an eSIM card is the fact that you can use different phone plans with the same eSIM. For example, you can use a low-cost prepaid eSIM at home or in your home country and use a different subscription when travelling. Or you can choose a prepaid eSIM carrier to keep the cost of calling your children down. What are the other advantages of using an eSIM card?

You can use different phone numbers

A big advantage of the eSIM is that it allows you to use different profiles or phone numbers. So instead of one imsi (that’s the abbreviation for international mobile subsrciber identity), you can use different phone numbers. This way, you can use the same phone for a business number and a private telephone number.

A thinner phone

The great thing about eSIM is that it doesn’t physically take up much space. It gives you a thinner and slimmer phone. Many phone makers will be able to make their designs for tablets, smart watches and phones even handier.

Handy for holidays abroad

If you are on holiday somewhere where you know the costs of calling, texting and internet are high, then an eSIM is ideal. In that case you can temporarily take out a Sim Only subscription for the country you’re on holiday. With a cheaper prepaid eSIM card you can top up your credit anywhere you go when needed. And you will never be surprised by unexpected high phone bills.

Easy to use different phone carriers

If you have a phone with an eSIM you can use multiple phone numbers and different carriers whenever you want. For example, at home you call with Vodafone and abroad you call cheap with a prepaid eSIM subscription for your phone. You can always easily upgrade your prepaid eSIM. By choosing a prepaid phone plan you know exactly how much money you spend on calls and data.

The disadvantages of using an eSIM card

Although the development of the eSIM card is still in full swing and more will be possible with these cards in the future, there are disadvantages to using an eSIM card at this time:

Whatsapping with an eSIM card

Would you like to be able to use Whatsapp with your eSIM card using multiple phone numbers? Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment. Unfortunately, Whatsapp can’t (yet) be used with two different phone numbers.

Therefore, you have to choose a phone number with which you will use Whatsapp. It is not yet possible to switch between telephone numbers. However, this may become an option in the future.

The security of the eSIM card

Another disadvantage of the eSIM is that it is not yet optimally secured. It seems that smart hackers, when using an eSIM card, could more easily take over a phone number to use it.

This is not a common occurrence, but it is something that is being looked into by experts when securing an eSIM card. Various organisations have already announced that they are looking into the possibility of tightening the security of the eSIM. This article will tell you more about eSIM card safety.

Ready for the future with an eSIM phone

Are you planning to buy a new phone? Then it certainly makes sense to choose a dual phone, which allows you to use a normal SIM card and a built-in eSIM card. Find out more about the convenience of dual SIM phones here.

You might consider getting an eSIM subscription from a carrier now. Find out which phones are already equipped with a convenient eSIM here.

In the future, new phones are likely to have an eSIM as the standard connection option for networks. And of course you want to take advantage of its convenience. Recharging an eSIM with call or data credit is easy. With a (prepaid) phone plan you can be sure you can top up your account if necessary, and your costs for calling and data are always clear.