New to using eSIMs and want to learn more?

Offering a wide range of travel eSIMs is one thing, but since eSIMs only recently became popular, the FlexySim team thought it was a good idea to provide an easy to understand eSIM guide for new users, or for curious travellers. 

An eSIM or 'Embedded SIM' if you want its proper term is simply a digital SIM that replaces the need for a fiddly small SIM card in most new smartphones. Many new mobile phone plans are now superseding physical SIM cards with eSIMs which is raising the profile of eSIMs. 

A travel eSIM is simply a prepaid eSIM with no contract, containing a set amount of data for the destination of your choice.

eSIMs usually have a fixed amount of data, with a maximum duration, typically 30 days, but this can be shorter or longer depending on the selected eSIM.

eSIMs allow the users to choose the country, or countries for which they require data, the amount of data, and the maximum length of use.  Some eSIMs offer a little more flexibility with features such as unlimited data, which can be handy for heavy internet users. Unlimited eSIMs usually cost a little more to compensate for the unlimited data, and the plans typically have a fair usage policy. To expand on fair usage, if a user exceeds an agreed daily data amount, their internet speed will throttle, or slow down for the rest of the day, and reset to normal speeds the following day.

Unlike your usual mobile phone provider, a travel eSIM provider often has agreements with many leading data providers in the region where the eSIM is intended to be used. One key advantage over roaming with your usual provider is that having multiple network sources usually ensures reliable data, eliminating reliance on a single network. As you use an eSIM you may find that the network provider changes depending on the location and strength of the local network. 

Using an eSIM for your travel destinations clearly has many benefits over conventional data roaming, however, recapping these benefits is worthwhile to expand on your eSIM knowledge.

• Low cost data roaming - This benefit is fairly obvious. Most mobile network providers will not allow you to data roam worldwide for free, or at best they offer a group of countries in return for a higher-priced plan. Data roaming through your usual mobile provider can also come with fair usage policies, often hidden deep within your plan's terms and conditions that throttle data speeds if exceeded.  With an eSIM it is often more cost effective with low cost prepaid plans that have a fixed duration, transparently showing how much data you can use, and for how long.
• Easy to install - Installing an eSIM on your smartphone is as easy as clicking a link, or scanning a QR code. For anyone who has not used an eSIM before, you need to check a couple of settings on your smartphone, however the eSIM should install in less than a minute.
• Flexible roaming - Many travel eSIM providers offer a wide range of plans to suit most types of travel. Usually, an eSIM covers one destination, or multi-country eSIMs—such as those for all of Europe or Asia—or even global eSIMs can be offered for the regular traveller or globetrotter. 
• Safe and Secure - This eSIM benefit is often overlooked, but it is worth mentioning. Due to increased data roaming costs many travellers use public Wi-Fi services, or ask for wifi passwords in cafes, bars, hotels & restaurants. This method may seem harmless, however it is unknown how secure a Wi-Fi connection is prior to connecting. Hence, connecting to unknown Wi-Fi should be used with caution. 

In conclusion there is a good reason why the use of mobile eSIMs while travelling is increasing. With many more choices available for travellers from around the world we foresee eSIMs increasing in popularity and becoming a normal part of any overseas travel routine.