When Apple launched the iPhone 14 series in 2022, they announced that all USA-based iPhones will come with only eSIM. This caused some customers much criticism regarding removing the SIM card tray. Several mobile network operators globally support eSIM support.
In East Africa for example, Safaricom Kenya, Airtel Tanzania, Airtel Kenya, and other carriers already support eSIMs. Last week, the Airtel Group MD announced that Airtel Uganda will soon support this technology once the Ugandan Communications Commission(UCC)– the regulator completes final approvals.
The name eSIM means embedded SIM, which is a SIM card integrated into something. It’s not a real SIM card, but rather an integrated chip that follows SON-8 standard directly within a device, which means it can’t be removed or switched out. The latest technology can allow for a phone to have support for up to 4 eSIMs and this is better than having four physical SIMs in a phone.
Why an eSIM is good
The number of contacts and how it works is the same as a regular SIM card, but you won’t have to worry about any foldable slots to support it. This chip is also much more reliable and less likely to cause mechanical failures. Plus, since it is smaller than a normal SIM and you don’t have to use a poker to eject it, it can be used in smaller devices, such as smartwatches.
eSIMs used to be limited to industrial devices, but in 2012, Apple declared that there weren’t any laws prohibiting their use in consumer products and so it began putting them into products like the iPad. Recently Apple published a new support document outlining various “options and benefits” for using eSIMs while traveling abroad.
Apple says an eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM since it cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. Apple also says that eSIMs eliminate the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards, or wait for them to arrive by mail. This was my exact experience when I traveled to Seychelles, Dubai, and Turkey. I would simply go online and buy an one before I set off to my next destination and by the time I land I am already connected to a local network. As shown below, my Samsung S23 Ultra was able to utilize up to three eSIM cards for each of these countries I traveled to.
Apple’s support document includes information for customers looking to roam internationally with their existing carrier, purchase the service from a local carrier while traveling abroad, or purchase a prepaid data eSIM from a worldwide service provider.
Apple mentions over 400 carriers that support eSIM in 100 markets around the world. Apple adds that many worldwide service providers also offer prepaid eSIM data plans for long-term use in countries around the world.
