eSims, what is your experience.

[Isolar]

Ok, the several replies about this today have given me a bit more hope.

Most of the information I could gather for my scenario was via Apple support forums where the consensus seemed to be that you "should" be able to do it but I could not find evidence that people had success - just reports of not working.

What is everyone's thoughts on operating via 2 eSIMs? Should this still work? It would be great to order the UK one now and have it ready for when I land.

 

[SYD]

What is everyone's thoughts on operating via 2 eSIMs? Should this still work? It would be great to order the UK one now and have it ready for when I land.

2x eSIMs should look and feel just like 1x SIM plus 1x eSIM. In fact, I’ll probably gravitate towards that when I switch my local carrier. That’ll free up my SIM port and provide a lot of flexibility for roaming solutions.

 

[RichardMullins]

Ok, the several replies about this today have given me a bit more hope.

Most of the information I could gather for my scenario was via Apple support forums where the consensus seemed to be that you "should" be able to do it but I could not find evidence that people had success - just reports of not working.

What is everyone's thoughts on operating via 2 eSIMs? Should this still work? It would be great to order the UK one now and have it ready for when I land.

I haven’t had a sim in my phone for years. 2 x eSims works perfectly for me, although I almost never take calls from both, it’s pretty much all data for me. I only have experience with iPhone though.

 

[RichardMullins]

Ok, the several replies about this today have given me a bit more hope.

Most of the information I could gather for my scenario was via Apple support forums where the consensus seemed to be that you "should" be able to do it but I could not find evidence that people had success - just reports of not working.

What is everyone's thoughts on operating via 2 eSIMs? Should this still work? It would be great to order the UK one now and have it ready for when I land.

I haven’t had a physical sim for years (iPhone) and frequently use a second eSIM. Works great, but I only use the second eSIM for data.

 

[RealtimeY]

What is everyone's thoughts on operating via 2 eSIMs

Relax, your iPhone model will have no problem running with two eSIMs.

You can also store many more eSIMs on your phone, but can only have two of them switched on at a time.

 

[SYD]

Relax, your iPhone model will have no problem running with two eSIMs

The only thing to keep an eye out for is battery drain running 2x SIMs 24/7. My old iPhone 12 had a dodgy battery so I’d force on “Low Power Mode” when I was travelling (does wonders BTW). But I now have a new iPhone 15 so I’ll see how it goes with 2x SIMs when I’m back OS next week.

Trying to sort out what we will use for our up coming Europe and UK trip for 6 weeks.
I think I am a bit of a telco novice.

In the past we have bought local sims, but last year to NZ we used sims corner.
I have an iPhone 11
More reading for me needed.

Who are you with as your local telco? As just discussed, Telstra pretty unique allowing ”wifi calling” while OS. So that’s very handy and then you just need to work out the best option from roaming data for other day to day stuff. Optus and Vodafone have $5 daily roaming - good for emergencies but not practical (well, not cheap) for 6 wks.

The usual eSIM providers discussed regularly here ought to provide good and affordable solutions for Euro/UK that can purchased in app and setup before you leave Oz. Also, easy to top up or purchase additional plans as you go.

 

[lovestotravel]

For a short trip just add the $10 per day roaming with Telstra

$100 and it's peace of mind, same number etc etc

 

[SYD]

For a short trip just add the $10 per day roaming with Telstra

$100 and it's peace of mind, same number etc etc

For OP travelling 6 wks, that’ll be $420 with Telstra (or half with Optus and Vodafone)!

TBH, the Telstra rate is a scam but oddly, they have cheap roaming bundles for prepaid users . Optus and Vodafone at $5 pd is a simple solution and if you turn data roaming off, you should* only pay for the days you use.

*Note: the Optus system is a bit flaky in some countries it can activate even if data is off and you haven’t sent a txt or made/received a call… So I discovered in Canada and the US last year but worked fine throughout SE Asia on my last trip.

 

[lovestotravel]

For OP travelling 6 wks, that’ll be $420 with Telstra (or half with Optus and Vodafone)!

TBH, the Telstra rate is a scam but oddly, they have cheap roaming bundles for prepaid users . Optus and Vodafone at $5 pd is a simple solution and if you turn data roaming off, you should* only pay for the days you use.

*Note: the Optus system is a bit flaky in some countries and can activate even if data is off and you haven’t sent a txt or made/received a call… So I discovered in Canada and the US last year but worked fine throughout SE Asia on my last trip.

Correct I think there was a post for someone going for 10 days....

Yes the Telstra prepaid bundles are great

I have an old Optus plan that gives 2GB of data per billing cycle for roaming and calls/sms included so most trips I'm fine. From time to time I'll get a local sim for data only or tether to the +1's phone who uses the $5 per day for 5GB Optus roaming.

The Optus system is very flaky, charges as soon as you land, even with data off and no calls/SMS etc (like you said) OR at times charges double for the day or doesn't charge at all or the charge is declined by Amex for repetitive $5 charges....

 

[Isolar]

For a short trip just add the $10 per day roaming with Telstra

$100 and it's peace of mind, same number etc etc

Ordinarily I would do just that.

For this trip though, I need a local UK number as well as access to my Australian number.

 

[lovestotravel]

Ordinarily I would do just that.

For this trip though, I need a local UK number as well as access to my Australian number.

Ah got it

I'd activate Telstra roaming as normal and use that

Then use the E-sim or physical sim with anyone

I have used Giff Gaff in the past for the +1's phone in the past and it wasn't the best

EE is the best over there but $$$$

 

[SYD]

I have used Giff Gaff in the past for the +1's phone in the past and it wasn't the best

What was the issue? I’ve used GiffGaff a couple times without issue. Certainly a lot cheaper than the big UK telcos.

 

[lovestotravel]

What was the issue? I’ve used GiffGaff a couple times without issue. Certainly a lot cheaper than the big UK telcos.

This was pre-covid... slow activation of the sim, couldn't make calls for 2 days. Poor coverage (granted this was in Scotland) but O2 when roaming I found was better that giff gaff

 

[SYD]

This was pre-covid... slow activation of the sim, couldn't make calls for 2 days.

Also well before Covid I picked up a physical GiffGaff SIM in a Tesco (or was it a Sainsbury?) and the setup was quite straightforward and that sim is still alive and well - although not really used in anger much. I’m hoping I can easily switch it to eSIM later in the year when I’m back in the UK - it’ll be quite handy with it’s included Euro coverage.

Poor coverage (granted this was in Scotland) but O2 when roaming I found was better that giff gaff

I was getting pretty sketchy coverage with Optus roaming in Scotland in 2022. Pretty sure the default roaming was EE.

 

[Flashback]

Ah got it

I'd activate Telstra roaming as normal and use that

Then use the E-sim or physical sim with anyone

I have used Giff Gaff in the past for the +1's phone in the past and it wasn't the best

EE is the best over there but $$$$

This was pre-covid... slow activation of the sim, couldn't make calls for 2 days. Poor coverage (granted this was in Scotland) but O2 when roaming I found was better that giff gaff

Mrs FB uses Giffgaff - signal is brilliant everywhere we go, much better than my 3, which I'm hanging onto for other reasons.

EE is quite rubbish IMHO, had them for a few companies I did some work with previously and all moved away as the signal was so poor UK wide. YMMV.

 

[lovestotravel]

Guess I'm a bit biased as where I am a based in Scotland, small town out of Inverness, there is a EE tower, and now 5G...

 

[SYD]

Guess I'm a bit biased as where I am a based in Scotland, small town out of Inverness, there is a EE tower, and now 5G...

Those scenarios are not uncommon around the world but can also vary wildly by network. eg Telstra might be rubbish in one spot but Optus booms in and v.v in other locations.

Can be hard to figure out what’s best if you’re on the move.

 

[Isolar]

Feel like I am starting to make progress!

Have transferred my physical Telstra SIM to an eSIM - very straightforward to do via the MyTelstra app.

Now looking for a provider in the UK that I can order eSIM from before I leave and be ready to go when I land. I was considering Giff Gaff but apparently you have to order a physical SIM first and once it has arrived you convert it on the phone via their app (unfortunately not enough time for that).

Found a review that suggested Lyca Mobile was a good option and you can get an eSIM immediately. They've swapped to the EE network which supposedly has good 5G coverage in London. They are certainly very cheap - e.g. 30 day plan with unlimited UK calls & texts, 100 international minutes (though Australia isn't included lol) and data roaming for EU & India, starting at £6 for 30GB of data up to unlimited for £15.

I will probably give it a go. The risk is that the eSIM can only be activated once you are in the UK. Assume that means you would need WiFi access (hopefully LHR's network hasn't crashed or is down for maintenance when I arrive!).

 

[Flashback]

Feel like I am starting to make progress!

Have transferred my physical Telstra SIM to an eSIM - very straightforward to do via the MyTelstra app.

Now looking for a provider in the UK that I can order eSIM from before I leave and be ready to go when I land. I was considering Giff Gaff but apparently you have to order a physical SIM first and once it has arrived you convert it on the phone via their app (unfortunately not enough time for that).

Found a review that suggested Lyca Mobile was a good option and you can get an eSIM immediately. They've swapped to the EE network which supposedly has good 5G coverage in London. They are certainly very cheap - e.g. 30 day plan with unlimited UK calls & texts, 100 international minutes (though Australia isn't included lol) and data roaming for EU & India, starting at £6 for 30GB of data up to unlimited for £15.

I will probably give it a go. The risk is that the eSIM can only be activated once you are in the UK. Assume that means you would need WiFi access (hopefully LHR's network hasn't crashed or is down for maintenance when I arrive!).

The eSIM will activate once it sees the network, so no worries there. Have it setup on the device before flying then it'll spin up once you land and point your data profile to it.

 

[Isolar]

The eSIM will activate once it sees the network, so no worries there. Have it setup on the device before flying then it'll spin up once you land and point your data profile to it.

Even better! That's excellent information.

When I converted my Telstra SIM to eSIM, the process required that I be connected to WiFi, so I assumed that would be how all eSIMs worked. Think I'm going to like this new way of connecting.