eSIM news, research and practical answers

Wise launches custom travel eSIM plans inside its account

Eligible Wise customers can set the data allowance and duration for selected trips, while preset plans cover 150+ destinations. Availability depends on account region and route.

Research

Eskimo and Switzerland added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 24 providers and 26 destinations after verifying Eskimo plans and every provider for Switzerland.

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SimOptions and Portugal added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 23 providers and 25 destinations after verifying SimOptions plans and every provider for Portugal.

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MicroEsim and Netherlands added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 22 providers and 24 destinations after verifying MicroEsim plans and every provider for Netherlands.

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ETravelSim and Greece added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 21 providers and 23 destinations after verifying ETravelSim plans and every provider for Greece.

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Global YO and Italy added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 20 providers and 22 destinations after verifying Global YO plans and every provider for Italy.

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eSIM4Travel and Spain added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 19 providers and 21 destinations after verifying eSIM4Travel plans and every provider for Spain.

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Firsty and United Kingdom added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 18 providers and 20 destinations after verifying Firsty plans and every provider for United Kingdom.

Research

GoMoWorld and France added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 17 providers and 19 destinations after verifying GoMoWorld plans and every provider for France.

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Jetpac and Germany added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 16 providers and 18 destinations after verifying Jetpac plans and every provider for Germany.

Samsung and NTT Transatel prepare eSIM bootstrap connectivity for Galaxy Z

New Galaxy Z phones in the US are set to gain mobile connectivity during initial setup without relying on Wi-Fi. Launch timing and participating channels remain undisclosed.

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BNESIM and New Zealand added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 15 providers and 17 destinations after verifying BNESIM plans and every provider for New Zealand.

GSMA explains stronger application isolation inside the eUICC

The SGP.27 module adds defensive boundaries between applications, operator profiles and core eUICC functions. Here is what it changes and what it does not prove.

Research

AirOva and Australia added to the eSIM.press catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 14 providers and 16 destinations after verifying AirOva plans and every provider for Australia.

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GigSky and Canada added to the eSIM.press tariff catalogue

The eSIM.press catalogue now covers 13 providers and 15 destinations, with GigSky plans across every published country and all providers checked for Canada.

IIJmio expands its eSIM lineup across docomo and au networks

The Japanese MVNO added SMS eSIMs on two networks and an au data-only eSIM. Some existing lines still require a new contract to switch.

Galaxy S26 FE brings eSIM transfer into Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung says its QR-based wireless move now includes eSIM data. Carrier support still decides whether a particular profile can make the trip.

Roamless documents an account-preserving eSIM move to a new phone

The process deletes and reinstalls the profile instead of using Apple's transfer control. Roamless says balances, active plans and rewards stay with the account.

Santander announces an in-app travel eSIM powered by Gigs

Santander plans to bring travel data packages into its banking app, starting with Spain. Pricing, network partners and a firm availability date remain undisclosed.

Telna and Bayobab link platforms for operator travel eSIMs in Africa

Telna CONNECT and Bayobab's IPX network are intended to help operators introduce branded travel eSIM services, although markets and launch dates remain undisclosed.

Research

Do I need to turn on data roaming for a travel eSIM?

Yes, many travel eSIMs need data roaming enabled on the travel line. Here is how to avoid routing mobile data through the home SIM.

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When does a travel eSIM validity period start?

A plan may start at installation, manual activation or first connection to a supported network. Here is what to verify before travelling.

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What unlimited travel eSIM data means after fair-use limits

A review of 2,829 unlimited-plan records shows when providers publish a high-speed allowance, how it resets and what speed remains afterwards.

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Travel eSIM installed but no internet: a safe checklist

A structured check of the data line, roaming, coverage, network and APN can isolate the problem without deleting the profile too early.

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Can you use a hotspot with a travel eSIM?

A hotspot option on the phone does not prove that a plan allows tethering. Check the device, package terms and the line carrying the data.

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How to check eSIM support and carrier lock before buying

An eSIM-capable model can still be carrier-locked or regionally restricted. Verify the exact device before purchasing a travel plan.

Consumer Cellular opens an Airalo travel eSIM portal for customers

The US MVNO's new co-branded portal gives its customers access to Airalo's local, regional and global travel eSIM plans.

O! Mobile outlines online eSIM activation for visitors to Kyrgyzstan

O! Mobile says international visitors can register for an eSIM in its app without an office visit and receive a QR code after registration.

Canada's CRTC keeps the TELUS eSIM fee case open

The Canadian regulator will continue its written review of TELUS's $15 SIM and eSIM fee under revised public-submission deadlines.

Valid extends GSMA SAS-SM certification to its IoT eSIM manager

Valid's certified Madrid operation now covers its eSIM IoT Remote Manager for standards-based profile lifecycle management under SGP.32.

Starling Bank adds Gigs-powered travel eSIM plans to its app

Starling customers can now buy and manage Gigs travel data inside the banking app, with regional activation and four published data allowances.

Kigen opens its SGP.32 IoT eSIM starter kit to business testing

Kigen's evaluation kit combines ten certified eSIMs, device tools, remote management and activation-ready profiles from more than 13 connectivity partners.

Vodafone launches a global Travel eSIM platform for 206 destinations

We break down Vodafone's official Travel eSIM launch, including its stated coverage, data packages, hotspot support and open questions.

GSMA publishes Shanghai eSIM Summit recording

GSMA's MWC26 Shanghai eSIM Summit recording brings together operator and technology perspectives on scaling eSIM across smartphones, IoT and connected vehicles.

AIS, Singtel, Optus and Globe deploy a shared eSIM network for enterprise IoT

Four Asia-Pacific operators have completed joint testing of an eSIM network that manages cross-market IoT connectivity through one platform.

TIM Brasil introduces cross-platform smartphone eSIM transfer

TIM Brasil and HCLTech are introducing eSIM transfer between smartphone brands and operating systems without a physical SIM or a store visit.

UK updates eSIM security guidance for telecom operators

The revised UK Telecommunications Security Code of Practice tells operators to control remote eSIM profile changes, assess suppliers and log sensitive operations.

SAS includes two days of travel eSIM data with eligible bookings

Scandinavian Airlines has added a travel eSIM to the SAS app, with two days of mobile data for eligible bookings and coverage in more than 190 countries.

GSMA expects eSIM to reach 10% of smartphone connections by the end of 2026

GSMA Intelligence estimates that eSIM represented 5% of smartphone connections at the end of 2025 and forecasts a rise to 10% by the end of 2026.

KBC integrates Firsty travel eSIM into its mobile banking app

Belgian bank KBC has added Firsty travel eSIM to KBC Mobile, allowing customers to buy a data package and install the profile without a separate eSIM app.

Motorola launches Global Connect travel eSIM on smartphones

Motorola has launched Global Connect, an embedded travel eSIM service for mobile data in more than 160 countries, powered by Gigs.