Buying a travel e-sim? Here’s what corporate travellers need to know

Staying connected while on the go has always been a challenge for corporate travellers. As overall business travel rates increase, a reliable internet connection can easily make or break a trip. From virtual meetings to everyday check-ins, a travel e-sim is a convenient, easy-to-use option for corporate travellers.

Originally implemented in the late 2010s, e-sims have steadily become more popular as an alternative to physical e-sims and pocket WiFi devices. Most travel e-sims offer data packs from as little as 1 GB, making it easy to buy a plan that suits your needs. You can easily install your e-sim before your flight and activate it as soon as you land. Depending on your plan, you can also share your data via tethering, turning it into a modem for your laptop.

Wondering where to start? We’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down common questions like what an e-sim is, how to use one, and other things to consider before buying your e-sim.

What is a travel e-sim?

An electronic or embedded SIM (e-sim) works just as a regular physical SIM but without a physical SIM card. Instead, it works through software installed on an embedded SIM circuit in your phone. Most newer phones offer e-sim support, with some models offering a dual sim slot so you have two numbers active simultaneously.

On top of these basic capabilities, a travel e-sim allows you to buy data plans for a certain region or country. As soon as you land, it connects you to a local telecommunications network throughout your stay. Depending on your data plan, you can also use your data in multiple countries, which is handy for international travel across various regions.

How do you get an e-sim?

You can easily buy e-sims online. After payment, you’ll receive instructions on installing your e-sim through email. Depending on the provider, you might have to download an application to start using your e-sim.

Who can use an e-sim?

Anyone with an unlocked phone that supports e-sims can use one. Generally, newer phone models already have e-sim support built in. However, phones purchased in certain regions may not be compatible. You can check if your phone is e-sim compatible online or via the Settings app.

Before getting an e-sim, make sure your phone is unlocked and isn’t bound to a single carrier. You can do so by checking in the Settings app on your phone. If your phone is locked to your current carrier, you can contact them for help unlocking your phone.

Things to consider when buying an e-sim

Aside from having a compatible device, keep these factors in mind before buying:

Data coverage: Most e-sim providers, like Jetpac, offer different types of coverage in their data plans. Local plans apply to a single country, while regional coverage covers an entire region, such as Europe or Asia. A global data plan covers a wide range of countries. You can find the list of countries included in a plan on your e-sim provider’s website.

Cost: Prices for travel e-sims usually start at 5 USD and depend on coverage and your data plan. If you’re travelling across multiple countries, get a regional or global data pack. You can use your data regardless of where you are and save more overall.

Data plans: Plans start as low as 1GB, with several providers offering unlimited data. They usually also have a validity period, such as 7 or 30 days. Most international e-sims are prepaid, but several carriers offer subscriptions or options to top up your data as you go.

Ease of activation: You’ll receive instructions on activating your e-sim via email. Often, this involves scanning a QR code or downloading an app. In just a few taps, you’ll have your eSIM installed and ready for activation.

Security: E-sims are generally considered safer than physical sims. This is because they are directly embedded in your device, lowering the risk of physical tampering and sim swapping.

Customer support: Most e-sim providers have dedicated support, regardless of where you are. If you encounter a problem with your travel e-sim, try contacting their help centre for more information.

Simplify business travel with TruTrip

Staying connected is a key part of any business trip, making e-sims a convenient option for travellers. Thanks to its wide range of data plans and flexible coverage, jumping on a quick call or simply finding your way around is a breeze.

With TruTrip, a seamless and hassle-free travel experience is all but guaranteed. We streamline booking processes and help reduce travel costs. Our platform also allows you to analyse past trips and see future expense forecasts, optimising business travel one trip at a time. Jadwalkan demo atau mendaftar untuk uji coba gratis at TruTrip to learn more.

Tentang Penulis