eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

Still often need to scan the QR code to install the actual SIM, though.

I’m yet to do that. Tried four (maybe 5) different eSIM providers and all have been via app. One or two have sent a backup QR code - but not needed.

Meanwhile, my freebie Flexiroam Global 15d / 3GB via 28° MC is still going 16 days after activating!

The app had a conniption about 1 wk in and was showing the plan was complete (even though I’d used less than 500 MB) but the eSIM continued to work and is still working. SYD+1 activation after me and dropped off exactly 15d later (yesterday). Now trying out Truphone for the remainder of USA/Canada trip.

 

[Lat34]

Just remember to print the QR code if you plan to scan on arrival.......had some fun in japan trying to print in a convenience store

... take QR code screenshot and/or "share" to yourself via email (easier to print from eg laptop) or msg ...

 

[SYD]

... take QR code screenshot and/or "share" to yourself via email (easier to print from eg laptop) or msg ...

I took the opportunity to load my Eskimo eSIM after my Flexiroam finally died (7 days after advertised…). It‘s been the first to do the QR think but airdropping it to my iPad was easy as.

 

[SYD]

Flexiroam in USA / Canada has been quite reliable. Quite a bit of 5G (but mostly LTE) on my iPhone 12. In the US, only saw AT&T - which generally has good coverage.

SYD+1 switched to Truphone but they use T-Mobile in the US. Fine in urban areas (including 5G on an iPhone 14) but rural coverage less than AT&T.

We both just bought 12mths/5GB Global Data for US$30 in the latest 80% off promo.

 

[RooFlyer]

Meanwhile, my freebie Flexiroam Global 15d / 3GB via 28° MC is still going 16 days after activating!

Very happy with my same plan/ deal, in Turkey and Moldova. A bit flakey - took about 5 days for the 'balance' to update on the home page, although the balance in 'view my plans' kept moving. And many times it reported 'not connected' when it was. Maybe that's why it didn't seem to use much!

The plan doesn’t work in the UAE though.

 

[SYD]

Flexiroam have a 2 day 87% off Sale on “Regional” plans. Some very good value to be had. You can prepurchase and activate later.

Use code TAY8713

 

[Flashback]

Flexiroam have a 2 day 87% off Sale on “Regional” plans. Some very good value to be had. You can prepurchase and activate later.

Use code TAY8713

What is deemed to be a regional plan?

Update: Shop Now - Flexiroam Prepaid Mobile Data - so a wider area, rather than a country in a region.

 

[SYD]

What is deemed to be a regional plan?

View attachment 346430Update: Shop Now - Flexiroam Prepaid Mobile Data - so a wider area, rather than a country in a region.

Yes, sits between Country specific and Global.

Edit: I just bought an 8d/1GB Americas plan for US$1.82 that will amply cover my weekend in Canada and save my current Global plan for later.

Heading to Asia in November - will probably get an Asia plan also - 24d/5GB for US$7.47.

 

[RooFlyer]

@SYD Thanks! Sth America regional plan will do me nicely for December. I can't see where to apply the code, though?

It has a Mastercard 15% discount "applied".

 

[SYD]

@SYD Thanks! Sth America regional plan will do me nicely for December. I can't see where to apply the code, though?

It has a Mastercard 15% discount "applied".

Click to remove that code and enter the code quoted above.

 

[airlinemn]

Looks like the code isn’t working anymore. Missed my chance damn.

 

[SYD]

Looks like the code isn’t working anymore. Missed my chance damn.

It’s still working for me.

Sale runs until midnight GMT, 30 Sep.

 

[tdimdad]

My Australian phone number, on Boost allows free WIFI calls and SMS while connected to any internet connection. The Boost sim card will use the esim's 4/5g internet connection and I can use my Australian number anywhere as long as I have Internet.

How does this work in practise? I'm a newbie to this, just got a phone that supports eSIM's, too (Pixel 7). With my earlier phones, I always played with the local physical SIM cards.

I have a Boost AU physical SIM. If I buy a local eSIM for my destination country and load it using their QR code, do both plans work simultaneously? I.e. can I get calls & texts to my AU number while overseas and also us the local eSIM for my local data and calls? Or do I need to somehow switch between them two (e.g. keep the local eSIM active for normal use but if I get a authentication text from my AU bank or credit card provider, I need to switch to the AU SIM for those few minutes)?

 

[asterix]

How does this work in practise? I'm a newbie to this, just got a phone that supports eSIM's, too (Pixel 7). With my earlier phones, I always played with the local physical SIM cards.

I have a Boost AU physical SIM. If I buy a local eSIM for my destination country and load it using their QR code, do both plans work simultaneously? I.e. can I get calls & texts to my AU number while overseas and also us the local eSIM for my local data and calls? Or do I need to somehow switch between them two (e.g. keep the local eSIM active for normal use but if I get a authentication text from my AU bank or credit card provider, I need to switch to the AU SIM for those few minutes)?

Both you physical sim and and esim will function at the same time.

 

[SYD]

How does this work in practise? I'm a newbie to this, just got a phone that supports eSIM's, too (Pixel 7). With my earlier phones, I always played with the local physical SIM cards.

I have a Boost AU physical SIM. If I buy a local eSIM for my destination country and load it using their QR code, do both plans work simultaneously? I.e. can I get calls & texts to my AU number while overseas and also us the local eSIM for my local data and calls? Or do I need to somehow switch between them two (e.g. keep the local eSIM active for normal use but if I get a authentication text from my AU bank or credit card provider, I need to switch to the AU SIM for those few minutes)?

Generally you can have two lines running currently. You can set one for voice/txt and the other for data.

 

[Scr77]

How does this work in practise? I'm a newbie to this, just got a phone that supports eSIM's, too (Pixel 7). With my earlier phones, I always played with the local physical SIM cards.

I have a Boost AU physical SIM. If I buy a local eSIM for my destination country and load it using their QR code, do both plans work simultaneously? I.e. can I get calls & texts to my AU number while overseas and also us the local eSIM for my local data and calls? Or do I need to somehow switch between them two (e.g. keep the local eSIM active for normal use but if I get a authentication text from my AU bank or credit card provider, I need to switch to the AU SIM for those few minutes)?

You can turn boost mobile data off but It remains active for Wi-Fi calling and sms verification etc. Don’t forget that a lot of esims are data only. With boost (and maybe Telstra) theres no need for roaming data packs or to activate anything. It will just work.

 

[SYD]

With boost (and maybe Telstra) theres no need for roaming data packs or to activate anything.

Are you referring to wifi calling or included data roaming allowance with Boost?

Yes, for wifi calling - if it’s enabled and supported, your phone can roam when connected to wifi (as the name suggest). But outside of wifi, you may still need data service and that’s where the eSIMs (or other roaming bundles) come in handy - if not essential.

 

[Scr77]

Are you referring to wifi calling or included data roaming allowance with Boost?

Yes, for wifi calling - if it’s enabled and supported, your phone can roam when connected to wifi (as the name suggest). But outside of wifi, you may still need data service and that’s where the eSIMs (or other roaming bundles) come in handy - if not essential.

Yes, absolutely an overseas data or esim is required. Was just trying to clarify for @tdimdad that with boost, there’s no need to do anything for the local sim to work or be active.

 

[JinbaIttai]

I have a Boost AU physical SIM. If I buy a local eSIM for my destination country and load it using their QR code, do both plans work simultaneously? I.e. can I get calls & texts to my AU number while overseas and also us the local eSIM for my local data and calls?

As others have said, you can use both SIMs at the same time.

If you don't pay for roaming then your Boost SIM will only be able to receive SMS. You need an expensive roaming pack to send SMS or make/receive calls

Or you can tell the Boost SIM to use the eSIM's data connection for "Wifi Calling" which allows you to send and receive SMS and phone calls as if you're in Australia.

The trick on a Pixel phone is that you need to enable the "backup calling" setting, but for some reason that option doesn't always show up and/or disappears shortly after the SIM is switched on.

The trick is to:

a) manually tell your Boost SIM to connect to a network that Telstra don't have a roaming agreement with - so it will have no connection at all and is forced to use the other data connection; and

b) disable and enable the Boost SIM and immediately scroll down to the "backup calling" setting before it disappears.
It may take several attempts to get this to work.

 

[SYD]

I noticed that SingTel has finally released eSIM versions of their “Tourist” SIMs (that include calls/txt as well as data across SE Asia and Oz). You just need to be on the ground in SIN to activate.

Buy the best Tourist SIM or eSIM In Singapore | Singtel Prepaid

Wondering where to buy a SIM card or eSIM when travelling to Singapore? Check out the tourist SIMs that suit your travelling needs with up to 120GB of 5G data.

www.singtel.com