Still fiddling with that little plastic card in your phone? If you haven’t gotten to know eSIM yet, it’s time to do so. Learn about the technology, the benefits of eSIM and how Telavox can help you get started with the SIM card of the future!
What is eSIM?
The abbreviation eSIM stands for embedded sim, which means that the SIM card is built into a mobile phone, smartwatch or tablet. This means that you don’t need the traditional plastic SIM card that is placed in the phone manually. The chips built into phones are about 60 times smaller than traditional SIM cards. Since the eSIM only requires a small component on the device’s motherboard, there is more room in the phone for a bigger battery or better camera hardware.
eSIM support is common in the newer generations of smartphones. Some examples of smartphones that support eSIM:
- All iPhones from 2018 (iPhone XS) onwards
- Samsung Galaxy S20-S22 series
- All Google phones since Pixel 3a
Is your model not listed here? Contact your phone manufacturer to see if eSIM support is included in your model.
The future of eSIM
The global eSIM infrastructure is well developed today and more and more operators are investing in the technology. According to a study by Juniper, the number of installed eSIMs will increase from 1.2 billion in 2021 to 3.4 billion in 2025. The study shows that as established consumer device vendors such as Apple and Google embrace the technology, the growth of eSIM will also accelerate for the industrial and public sectors.
Apple started working with eSIM when the Apple Watch 3 was launched with a cellular connection. In 2022, Apple announced that it was removing physical SIM cards with the launch of the iPhone 14 in the US. This means that the process towards a world free of plastic SIM cards is underway, because we know that Apple has a tendency to set the trends in the smartphone industry.
Google has offered support for eSIM in its phones since the Pixel 3a. With Android 13, it introduced support for Multiple Embedded Profiles (MEP), which means that only one eSIM module is required on the phone that can support multiple eSIM lines.
4 key benefits of eSIM
1. super easy to install
The previously bulky plastic card is now built into the phone. This means that eSIM can be used immediately. As a user, you don’t have to wait for the provider to send you the physical card, which means it’s not only easy to install – it’s fast too!
2. Easier to use
Thanks to eSIM, you as a provider do not have to spend time on administrative tasks such as packing SIM cards and sending them to the right users. eSIM also makes it easier for employees to temporarily switch operators when traveling with a company mobile, thus avoiding expensive roaming costs.
3. you can have two SIM cards with Dual SIM
Do you use two different phones – one for work and one for private use? With eSIM you don’t have to switch between phones. With an eSIM and a physical SIM card in the same phone, it is possible to have two SIM cards. This means you can set up calls or texts to be made from your home number and others from your work number.
With an eSIM, you can have two active numbers on your phone at the same time – but you can only have one active eSIM at a time.
Read more: How to manage your company mobile subscription when someone leaves
4. it is environmentally friendly and a more future-proof solution
eSIMs require no manufacturing or transportation, making them great for both users and the planet. Physical SIM cards also wear out over time and will need to be replaced.
Even worse, if a phone with a physical SIM card is stolen, it can lead to data leaks if the phone is not password protected. Another security benefit is that eSIMs can help you find your lost phone – even if you haven’t set up features like ‘Find My iPhone’. This is because your eSIM operator has access to the data and can help locate your device or block the eSIM card if necessary.
Let Telavox help you with eSIM
Telavox supports eSIM for mobile users with the latest generation of smartphones in Finland and Sweden. Telavox eSIM does not currently support smartwatches. The reason why we don’t support Apple Watch yet is because Apple is currently not accepting new members in their partner program. However, we hope to offer integration also with Apple Watch soon.
If you are a Telavox customer and do not already have eSIM, you can easily order it via the Telavox app. Read more about how to order Telavox eSIM.
