Why Would Someone Use an eSIM for Travel?

eSIMs are everywhere these days, yet few people understand the validity of these unique devices. A standard SIM card enables you to change phones by simply removing the SIM from one phone and placing it in another. With an eSIM, that step is eliminated. eSIMs have become a common fixture in newer phones and as the technology grows, we need to understand them a little more, so why would someone use an eSIM?

Travel Benefits

Traveling the world is a whole lot of fun. You get to see and experience new cultures and free yourself from the confines of everyday life. However, when your phone does not work properly, travel can be a hassle. Communication with those back home is vital and eSIMs help make communication easier by allowing you to purchase plans from the country you are visiting instead of having to rely on your standard, home phone plan.

Changing Carriers

Among the largest benefits to eSIMs is the ability to change carriers quickly and efficiently. Where it might take a physical SIM hours or days to be reconfigured to a new carrier, an eSIM can often be an instant transfer. No interruption in service helps you keep your life moving as it should.

Multiple Number Options

Most of us only need one phone, but those that are in business for themselves or working for a larger company can greatly benefit from having multiple phones for both personal and business reasons. Keeping up with the phones, at least in the past, was something the business person had to contend with, but not anymore. Today’s eSIM technology allows you to have multiple numbers connected to the same device, so you can toss your extra phone.

Overall Practicality

Practicality is key when talking about mobile phone service. An impractical service is one that will not stay around for very long. eSIMs are among the most practical devices available. The lack of a physical SIM means you no longer need to keep up with that specialized tool that allows you to remove your SIM card. You also do not have to worry about purchasing a physical SIM card ever again. The digitization of SIM cards has freed us from the confines of the physical device.

Are There Any Negatives to an eSIM?

Any device or new product you purchase will have a few disadvantages associated with it and eSIMS are certainly no exception. However, most of these disadvantages will likely disappear with the evolution of the technology or not even matter to most individuals. Nevertheless, here are the very few negatives associated with an eSIM.

Trackability

The paranoia surrounding trackability is a very real thing. Where it is claimed tracking purchases and movement is for informational purposes only, thieves have used the ability to track individuals to their advantage and unfortunately, eSIMs do have the potential to be tracked.

Trackability in this instance is both a good and a bad thing. In the event your phone is stolen, an eSIM will enable you and the authorities to find the device and hopefully, the thieves who took it.

Possible Need for Physical SIM as Well for Travel

This issue will ultimately evolve itself into extinction, but for now, even with an eSIM, you might need a physical SIM to be able to use your phone for phone calls while traveling. Not all eSIM companies allow for calling or texting, but as the technology grows, more eSIM providers are working to include calling in their plans.

Limited Number of Carriers

Again, this is an issue that will evolve itself away given time. Not all carriers include an eSIM with every phone. It remains apparent that many phone companies are stuck in the physical eSIM realm, but given time, even those will come over to the digitization of SIM technology.