esim discussion

[froztheart]

Looking at this list, I think it is much more than SG.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/101569#quicktransfer

But it also seems like it is unlikely to get this in SG.

Our neighbours like Thailand & Malaysia has it, but SG ain't getting it.

 

[mrdeeds]

Any recommendation for esim provider for roaming in Africa such as ivory coast, Ghana, Cameroon etc? heard about airalo, holafly and friends commented airalo not really value for $$.

 

[sibeiTrolled]

Any recommendation for esim provider for roaming in Africa such as ivory coast, Ghana, Cameroon etc? heard about airalo, holafly and friends commented airalo not really value for $$.

With more countries inside a bundle, it will tend to get more expensive.

Any particular part of africa that you are looking at? Or the entire africa region?

Some providers you can look at first
- https://travel.vodafone.com/africa-esim/ (23 countries only - look at the countries first)
- Echo Network on shopee (Link) - Used them for europe before, unsure how their other countries fare, double check the countries

Extra, thou it is 1 year ago

 

[mrdeeds]

With more countries inside a bundle, it will tend to get more expensive.

Any particular part of africa that you are looking at? Or the entire africa region?

Some providers you can look at first
- https://travel.vodafone.com/africa-esim/ (23 countries only - look at the countries first)
- Echo Network on shopee (Link) - Used them for europe before, unsure how their other countries fare, double check the countries

Extra, thou it is 1 year ago

Yes those countries I mentioned plus Nigeria maybe. The latter is not confirmed but still want to see which service provider to use

This is work trip so cost will be borne by company. Not for holiday

 

[sibeiTrolled]

This is work trip so cost will be borne by company. Not for holiday

Oh BOI! Then i would highly reccomend the most expensive esim plan!

On a serious note... those package that bundles multiple countries is your best option already. Unless you intend to get each countries eSIM

Addtional reference that you can look at
- https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/rate.../best-africa-10gb-30-days-2/?wmc-currency=USD
- https://mobimatter.com/esim-africa
- https://www.revolut.com/en-SG/esim/
- https://www.icard.com.sg/products/icc-esim-africa-1-30-days-unlimited-data-sim (ICC on shopee/ lazada as well)
- - https://esimdb.com/region/africa
Or just browse through on shopee, lazada bah

Maybe someone else who went before can point you in the better direction.

 

[crunsik]

Any eSIM provider to recommend for Japan? Ubigi or Airlo?

 

[mrdeeds]

Oh BOI! Then i would highly reccomend the most expensive esim plan!

On a serious note... those package that bundles multiple countries is your best option already. Unless you intend to get each countries eSIM

Addtional reference that you can look at
- https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/rate.../best-africa-10gb-30-days-2/?wmc-currency=USD
- https://mobimatter.com/esim-africa
- https://www.revolut.com/en-SG/esim/
- https://www.icard.com.sg/products/icc-esim-africa-1-30-days-unlimited-data-sim (ICC on shopee/ lazada as well)
- - https://esimdb.com/region/africa
Or just browse through on shopee, lazada bah

Maybe someone else who went before can point you in the better direction.

Yes, would prefer a plan that covers all instead of having to switch between countries. Thks

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

Any eSIM provider to recommend for Japan? Ubigi or Airlo?

i previously used ubigi in japan and it worked well.

 

[sibeiTrolled]

Any eSIM provider to recommend for Japan? Ubigi or Airlo?

Cheaper esim options from NPN or wefly or ICC will also work decently. Used them all before in Japan.
Do note those cheaper options are generally routed from Hong Kong, so tiktok could be an issue.
Better to check with those sellers first.

ubigi in japan

How was it?
I find them and the other "named" brands like nomad ... quite expensive for just simple data usage

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

How was it?
I find them and the other "named" brands like nomad ... quite expensive for just simple data usage

usage experience was fine when using in tokyo and osaka last year. i cannot remember which telco it connected to, but the data was fast and reliable enough throughout the trip.

i bought the 10gb japan data with 50% coupon so it was quite cheap at like $10. but after that i stopped using it already because like what you said, it is quite expensive.

 

[loganrunning]

Cheaper esim options from NPN or wefly or ICC will also work decently. Used them all before in Japan.
Do note those cheaper options are generally routed from Hong Kong, so tiktok could be an issue.
Better to check with those sellers first.

used NPN during trip to a few cities in Guandgong. no problems accessing whatsapp, telegram, google apps/services and tiktok - same for those in the group using ICC, eight and simba. No difference in access from sg (putting aside technical issues like speed and latency)

 

[joshuapoon]

Newbie to eSIM here. Just bought eSIM for roaming in HK.
Seller advised to activate eSIM line and Data roaming when I reached HK and to also Turn off my Singtel primary line.
If I follow his advice, can I still access / reply any new whatsapp / telegram messages after turning off my Singtel primary line since whatsapp account is tied to my Singtel phone number?
If not, does that mean that whenever I have Wifi access (eg my hotel), I need to turn off data roaming and then Turn back on my Singtel line to access / reply my whatsapp / telegram messages? - sounds to me like a hassle.
OR can I
1) first disable Roaming in my Singtel App (ie my SIngtel SIM card is unable to roam)
2) in iPhone settings, just leave my Singtel primary line on and eSIM secondary line on? Since Singtel "Roaming" is disabled, my phone will auto use the eSIM line for roaming?

Appreciate any advice for newbie here. Thanks

 

[A7997A]

Newbie to eSIM here. Just bought eSIM for roaming in HK.
Seller advised to activate eSIM line and Data roaming when I reached HK and to also Turn off my Singtel primary line.
If I follow his advice, can I still access / reply any new whatsapp / telegram messages after turning off my Singtel primary line since whatsapp account is tied to my Singtel phone number?
If not, does that mean that whenever I have Wifi access (eg my hotel), I need to turn off data roaming and then Turn back on my Singtel line to access / reply my whatsapp / telegram messages? - sounds to me like a hassle.
OR can I
1) first disable Roaming in my Singtel App (ie my SIngtel SIM card is unable to roam)
2) in iPhone settings, just leave my Singtel primary line on and eSIM secondary line on? Since Singtel "Roaming" is disabled, my phone will auto use the eSIM line for roaming?

Actually your question has little to do with esim.
What you got is a roaming sim that comes in the form of esim.

Whatsapp/telegram don't care about your Singtel line, they only use it for initial authentication and is not dependent on it. They will use wifi or any data available for communication.

If you are using the roaming sim, unless you have bundled roaming data / need to remain reachable on mobile number / need to monitor SMS, it is best to disable the Singtel Sim during your entire journey.

 

[joshuapoon]

Got it, thanks!

 

[sibeiTrolled]

Since your query has been answered, just adding on to some FYI

Seller advised to activate eSIM line and Data roaming when I reached HK

Activating purchased roaming esim first locally few hours before your flight and activating data roaming is a common procedure though some seller would "prefer" or "need" you to activate once you reach your destination.
In the latter case, you would have to find free airport wifi to do that...... so most people don't do that unless you are travelling in group and can "borrow" wifi. Unless of course, it is a requirement by the seller, this does exist.

Turn off my Singtel primary line.

Seller care about you as you might incur roaming cost, and they probably receive alot of complain "why didn't you tell me to disable" from other first timers

Some people do leave it on mostly due to expected SMS authenication or they have IDD / roaming data that they can use. If you are not sure, either ask your telco or just simply disable it if you are not expecting any SMS or CALL

) first disable Roaming in my Singtel App (ie my SIngtel SIM card is unable to roam)

Maybe ask this in the SINGTEL SIM ONLY or related singtel threads, they would be able to advise you on this.

2) in iPhone settings, just leave my Singtel primary line on and eSIM secondary line on? Since Singtel "Roaming" is disabled, my phone will auto use the eSIM line for roaming?

Android user here, not sure about iphone.

In any dual sim (with esim support) phone, you can tell it to use which sim card to use for
- Call
- Data
If the option is missing to switch is not available, it might need to detect 2 sims first.

For my case, my telco is EIGHT. Since i have free incoming SMS and global roaming data, i just leave it on.
Then i just change the "DATA" or "INTERNET" to the esim that i have installed and activated once i land

 

[sadboy]

Got it, thanks!

Do take note that activation or installation of eSIM requires an internet connection. So, you need to be connected to the internet to complete eSIM installation.

Some eSIM purchases may require enabling DATA ROAMING for that eSIM data.

 

[dgeralds]

Newbie to eSIM here. Just bought eSIM for roaming in HK.
Seller advised to activate eSIM line and Data roaming when I reached HK and to also Turn off my Singtel primary line.
If I follow his advice, can I still access / reply any new whatsapp / telegram messages after turning off my Singtel primary line since whatsapp account is tied to my Singtel phone number?
If not, does that mean that whenever I have Wifi access (eg my hotel), I need to turn off data roaming and then Turn back on my Singtel line to access / reply my whatsapp / telegram messages? - sounds to me like a hassle.
OR can I
1) first disable Roaming in my Singtel App (ie my SIngtel SIM card is unable to roam)
2) in iPhone settings, just leave my Singtel primary line on and eSIM secondary line on? Since Singtel "Roaming" is disabled, my phone will auto use the eSIM line for roaming?

Appreciate any advice for newbie here. Thanks

1) first disable Roaming in my Singtel App (ie my SIngtel SIM card is unable to roam)

This is a MUST. Else you will pay through your ears even if you switch off auto roam in your phone!!!!

 

[asymmetric]

when i use a esim in batam i cannot connect to tiktok.

In Batam I can't view TikTok with holafly and airalo. According to tech support need vpn. But even with vpn connect to Germany still cannot.

if i use starhub DT1/2/3 can connect, singtel also can.

 

[Jirachi]

In Batam I can't view TikTok with holafly and airalo. According to tech support need vpn. But even with vpn connect to Germany still cannot.

How is this related to eSIM?

 

[froztheart]

How is this related to eSIM?

Holafly & Airalo pretty "famous" eSIM providers mah.