Embedded Subscriber Identification Module (eSIM) technology is on the rise, and it is proving to have a remarkably positive impact on travel.
According to TravelNews, traditional data roaming costs are high for a number of reasons. Firstly, when travellers use data abroad, their home network must pay the local network for using its infrastructure. Additionally, the systems managing these transactions are outdated and lack transparency, often resulting in unclear and obscure charges.
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Managing different regulations and taxes across countries adds complexity and cost. The same can be said for the administrative overheads of maintaining these international agreements. Plus, the fact that there is very little competition also keeps prices high.
Due to these high costs in traditional data roaming, an increasing number of travellers have opted for eSIMs.
According to Mark Collie, CEO of South African-born global eSIM service provider KnowRoaming, travel eSIMs are a game changer as travellers can enjoy fixed and affordable rates.
‘These eSIMs are generally pre-paid, providing consumers with clear and transparent upfront costs before they travel, without any hidden fees or “bill shock” upon their return home,’ he said.
He also advised travellers to be careful when it comes to their data usage. Statistics on data usage can be accessed on one’s phone and provide an idea of how much data certain apps consume. Activities like video calls and automatic updates can contribute significantly to data usage.
‘Navigational apps like Google Maps can use a lot of data, so it’s often a good idea to download maps for the area you’ll visit. Streaming apps like YouTube and Netflix (250-500 MB per hour) are also data-intensive’.
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