What Are eSIMs? Your Ticket to Cheaper, Easier Communication While Abroad

Here at WowTel, we’re all about saving you as much money and hassle as possible when you want to get in touch with loved ones all over the world. But what about when you travel?

Chances are, your mobile network provider probably has a few different options available to help you connect to data, make calls, and send texts whenever you go abroad. This is called ‘roaming’ – and, if you’re not careful, the costs of simply accessing the internet and sending a few messages outside of the UK can really stack up.

Thankfully, there’s a more affordable and altogether more straightforward way to stay connected to friends and family when you travel – and that’s by installing an eSIM to your phone.

What are eSIMs?

eSIMs are digital SIMs that you can embed or install to your phone, rather than inserting a physical SIM card into your device.

eSIMs are typically used by people who travel a lot because they can help them access different international networks – without having to swap out different physical cards during their journeys.

Many people use eSIMs in smartphones, tablets, laptops, even in wearable tech – all so they can stay connected while on the go. Service providers like SIMOVO, for example, offer data eSIMs that allow you to connect to the best available networks depending on the area you travel to.

That means you can immediately connect to the best available data service while abroad, without having to hunt around for a local card to insert and start using.

It’s great news for travellers who frequently use apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Google Meet, Zoom, and Messenger – and, depending on the service you sign up for, it can be highly cost-effective.

Why are eSIMs so popular?

eSIMs are increasingly popular with travellers because they’re easy to install and use, can be used alongside existing SIM cards, and in many cases, cut down the costs of roaming fees.

Your mobile network provider likely has a list of charges that apply when you take your device overseas and start making calls, sending texts, and connecting to the internet. Bizarrely, as dependent on the internet as the world is now, networks are still charging over the odds for using data overseas.

Therefore, it’s well worth considering paying upfront for an eSIM instead. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying through the nose with an international network, nor do you need to fret about the charges that your home network is applying when you travel.

That is, of course, provided you’re careful with how you use your existing SIM overseas. It’s good practice to activate roaming for your eSIM, and to avoid using your normal card for calls and texts while you’re outside the UK. Otherwise, you might come back to some headache-inducing bills that you simply don’t deserve!

That said, it’s always good to keep your current number while you travel, just in case someone can’t reach you through apps. With an eSIM alongside your regular card, you can take advantage of international data while making sure your usual number is still active.

What devices use eSIMs?

One of the biggest advantages of buying eSIMs lies in the fact that you can purchase them for almost any device that connects to the internet. So, if you need to take your laptop, tablet, or wearable device overseas but don’t want the hassle of setting up a cellular SIM, you can just choose an eSIM provider, buy a package, and embed a data card to whichever device you need to use.

It’s always worth checking with your chosen eSIM provider which devices and manufacturers they cover, however – the last thing you’ll want to do is end up buying an eSIM and landing at your destination, only to find your phone isn’t compatible!

It’s a cost-effective option long term, too

Once you find an eSIM provider you’re comfortable with, you can simply go back to them again and again to buy and embed digital cards for wherever you wish to travel to. In many cases, the best providers – like SIMOVO, again – won’t tie you into contracts or hide fees, meaning there’s no need for you to fall back on what your home tariff or international providers have to offer.

We seriously recommend that you check your mobile network provider’s current roaming rates before you travel. Since Brexit, for example, rates on roaming in Europe have changed somewhat – and, chances are, you can get a much better deal by embedding an eSIM to your phone instead.

Much like how many landline and mobile phone providers push up the costs of making international calls from within the UK, calling, texting, and using the internet abroad is becoming increasingly expensive, too.

While we’re all having to cut back a little in the middle of a never-ending cost of living crisis, there’s no reason why you should have to sacrifice keeping in touch with the people that matter to you while abroad.

And, what if you want to read some books while you’re away, but want access to your Kindle and eBook stores? What if you still want to catch up on your favourite shows through streaming providers? An episode or two of your favourite Netflix show while you relax on the beach shouldn’t have to cost you a fortune.

With the right eSIM and provider, it really won’t!

Save money at home and abroad

WowTel wants to save you money on calling overseas – and, we can personally recommend using eSIMs, too, to cut even further costs when you’re out of the country.

Before you rely too much on your home network and decide that using their roaming packages is worth it for convenience alone – take a look at a travel eSIM provider and see if you can cut back on hassle and unnecessary costs.

The last thing you want when you go away is to worry about the bills you’ll be running up – so, stop those concerns dead in their tracks with a flexible eSIM and start saving serious money on calls, texts, and internet access.