esim discussion

[Thunderlip]

I travel to Finland every once a while. I have MyRepublic as eSIM in my iPhone and I slot in physical Finnish SIM card when I’m there. Works well.

 

[RockStar9238]

Thank you for replying. Maybe I did not specify clearly. My daughter is using local service provider sim card. She uses iPhone 13. And she is sourcing to find esim to use in Europe. Someone has replied used Airalo esim. Is it good connection in Europe. I think package for 6 months is us$189 so quite a big lump sum but don't whether it work well. ICC as checked from shopee is cost $58 for 60 days. So ICC is cheaper but is networking connection good? Or go to Euope buy their prepaid card more worth?

 

[lohsenglte]

Thank you for replying. Maybe I did not specify clearly. My daughter is using local service provider sim card. She uses iPhone 13. And she is sourcing to find esim to use in Europe. Someone has replied used Airalo esim. Is it good connection in Europe. I think package for 6 months is us$189 so quite a big lump sum but don't whether it work well. ICC as checked from shopee is cost $58 for 60 days. So ICC is cheaper but is networking connection good? Or go to Euope buy their prepaid card more worth?

Europe really depends on the country. Some countries data is quite cheap, some is so expensive it's actually cheaper to purchase from other EU country and use as roaming customer.

If her line is currently no contract SIM Only, can consider moving to M1/CL/MR eSIM or SIMBA SuperRoam.

For the SuperRoam, she get to use 10GB per month for free, and voice call to Singapore (and 18 other destinations) for free via SIMBA Voice app. All for $25 SGD/mth.
(please see plan bundle for full details)

Plus, since it's 6 months usage, I would highly suggest getting European number and not rely only on eSIM data-only operators. Imagine she need to call Uber but the driver need to contact her, the roaming voice gonna cost a bomb. That is, of course, assuming she's using Big Three and their MVNOs instead of SIMBA. (Incoming call for SIMBA is free even when Roaming.)

 

[RockStar9238]

Europe really depends on the country. Some countries data is quite cheap, some is so expensive it's actually cheaper to purchase from other EU country and use as roaming customer.

If her line is currently no contract SIM Only, can consider moving to M1/CL/MR eSIM or SIMBA SuperRoam.

For the SuperRoam, she get to use 10GB per month for free, and voice call to Singapore (and 18 other destinations) for free via SIMBA Voice app. All for $25 SGD/mth.
(please see plan bundle for full details)

Plus, since it's 6 months usage, I would highly suggest getting European number and not rely only on eSIM data-only operators. Imagine she need to call Uber but the driver need to contact her, the roaming voice gonna cost a bomb. That is, of course, assuming she's using Big Three and their MVNOs instead of SIMBA. (Incoming call for SIMBA is free even when Roaming.)

I have called M1 to check that even though esim still need data passport and charges is $60 per mth .
Anyone know about holafly?

 

[RockStar9238]

I have called M1 to check that even though esim still need data passport and charges is $60 per mth .
Anyone use holafly before? Is it good?

 

[sullycoin]

I have called M1 to check that even though esim still need data passport and charges is $60 per mth .
Anyone know about holafly?

The point about using a SG esim, is so that she can retain her Singapore number in the phone (if she needs to receive OTP for bank/credit card, or whatever) & while also using a local (European) prepaid physical SIM. I would absolutely not suggest using data roaming through any of the eSIM providers. There are much cheaper options.

Airalo is reasonably reliable and I have used them in a couple of European countries without any great hassle. However, (as you might have noticed) their prices tend to favor short duration use & convenience. A local prepaid SIM is almost always going to be cheaper, but if I am going to a country for 2 weeks, it's not really worth the hassle of trying to figure out a local prepaid sim card vs buying Airalo & having data the moment the plane lands. Otoh, if you are going to be there 6 months, that's a different story.

In addition, these eSIMs (both Airalo & Holafly) are data-only eSIMs. They do not provide you with a local mobile number. This is generally not a huge hassle if you are only there for 2 weeks, but it can be problematic if you are there for 6 months, especially for work since people might actually call you.

 

[RockStar9238]

The point about using a SG esim, is so that she can retain her Singapore number in the phone (if she needs to receive OTP for bank/credit card, or whatever) & while also using a local (European) prepaid physical SIM. I would absolutely not suggest using data roaming through any of the eSIM providers. There are much cheaper options.

Airalo is reasonably reliable and I have used them in a couple of European countries without any great hassle. However, (as you might have noticed) their prices tend to favor short duration use & convenience. A local prepaid SIM is almost always going to be cheaper, but if I am going to a country for 2 weeks, it's not really worth the hassle of trying to figure out a local prepaid sim card vs buying Airalo & having data the moment the plane lands. Otoh, if you are going to be there 6 months, that's a different story.

In addition, these eSIMs (both Airalo & Holafly) are data-only eSIMs. They do not provide you with a local mobile number. This is generally not a huge hassle if you are only there for 2 weeks, but it can be problematic if you are there for 6 months, especially for work since people might actually call yor

Regardless of airalo or holafly esim all need to turn on data roaming then can use?

 

[yotoden]

I used Airalo in Spain last November, without turning on Roaming it won’t work albeit its a Spain only esim. I didn’t buy the Europe region esim since I was in Spain only.

 

[yotoden]

Very good point about the local number to call! Then maybe a local eSim is a better choice.

 

[RockStar9238]

I used Airalo in Spain last November, without turning on Roaming it won’t work albeit its a Spain only esim. I didn’t buy the Europe region esim since I was in Spain only.

I was told by local service provider put local sim card in the phone cannot turn on data roaming . But airalo esim turn to need on data roaming then can use. Or else need to take 2 phone

 

[sullycoin]

Regardless of airalo or holafly esim all need to turn on data roaming then can use?

Yes

I was told by local service provider put local sim card in the phone cannot turn on data roaming . But airalo esim turn to need on data roaming then can use. Or else need to take 2 phone

To put it simply, the mobile phone operators put in the data roaming switch as a means to prevent accidental use of data while roaming because data roaming charges are high. This means, when the phone recognises that the SIM card is not from a local telco, it will not use the data. So, if you bring you phone with a SG telco overseas, & the data roaming switch is off, you will not be able to use data (regardless of whether you bought a package from the telco or not). If you intend to use data roaming with your local SG telco SIM card (probably because you bought a roaming package), you need to switch data roaming on.

This is true, whether you are talking about eSIMs or physical SIM cards.

Airalo & Holafly (or even other service providers like ICC) are not local telcos & the eSIMs they issue are not identified as local by the phone, regardless of the plan you bought. So, they will need the data roaming switch to be turned on to be used.

So the normal use case for these would be to have your SG physical SIM & your Airalo eSIM loaded in the phone. In settings, you would switch off data roaming for your SG SIM & switch on data roaming for your Airalo eSIM, while setting phone calls & SMS through local SIM & data through Airalo.

 

[RockStar9238]

I think someone mentioned simba. There is the plan SIMBA super roam. Anyone has used this?

 

[lohsenglte]

I have called M1 to check that even though esim still need data passport and charges is $60 per mth .
Anyone know about holafly?

M1 Europe Data Passport is $60/mth, you're right.

The point for switching to M1/CL/MR eSIM isn't about subscribing to data roaming, it is that you still have access to Singapore number without resorting to eSIM data only plans.

Basically, M1 eSIM for Voice and SMS Roaming only, and local physical SIM for local data, voice and SMS.

The point about using a SG esim, is so that she can retain her Singapore number in the phone (if she needs to receive OTP for bank/credit card, or whatever) & while also using a local (European) prepaid physical SIM. I would absolutely not suggest using data roaming through any of the eSIM providers. There are much cheaper options.

Airalo is reasonably reliable and I have used them in a couple of European countries without any great hassle. However, (as you might have noticed) their prices tend to favor short duration use & convenience. A local prepaid SIM is almost always going to be cheaper, but if I am going to a country for 2 weeks, it's not really worth the hassle of trying to figure out a local prepaid sim card vs buying Airalo & having data the moment the plane lands. Otoh, if you are going to be there 6 months, that's a different story.

In addition, these eSIMs (both Airalo & Holafly) are data-only eSIMs. They do not provide you with a local mobile number. This is generally not a huge hassle if you are only there for 2 weeks, but it can be problematic if you are there for 6 months, especially for work since people might actually call you.

That's the full version of what I wanted to say all along.

 

[lohsenglte]

I think someone mentioned simba. There is the plan SIMBA super roam. Anyone has used this?

My friend is currently in Western Europe, using SIMBA Roaming. Not the best solution (local sim are cheaper), but reasonable given the fact that free voice roaming is included.

Imagine you've to call Singapore to contact your bank for failed transaction / fraudulent transaction / loss of card via your SingTel/M1/StarHub Voice line.
Given the roaming voice rate easily exceed $4/min (maybe even surcharge for Pay Per Use Roaming), you just need 6 mins to break even for the month.

Contacting bank customer service can easily exceed 10 mins as they process the necessary information. That would mean your 10GB Roaming is essentially free of 2 months or more.

And oh, 300 mins IDD Voice to 18 destinations is included. That's some insane value right there, if you need to use it.

However, please make sure you've read the step-by-step instructions posted in Simba website regarding roaming and plan ahead before attempting to do so.

Generally, port to SIMBA at least 2 weeks departure, and actively use the line for Singapore data etc before flying, it should be fine.

Do accept any carrier messages that can come in anytime during the 2 weeks period though, as it includes the carrier profile files needed for roaming.

Failure to do so might result in roaming not working properly. There's a lot of documented cases of such problems.

 

[RockStar9238]

My friend is currently in Western Europe, using SIMBA Roaming. Not the best solution (local sim are cheaper), but reasonable given the fact that free voice roaming is included.

Imagine you've to call Singapore to contact your bank for failed transaction / fraudulent transaction / loss of card via your SingTel/M1/StarHub Voice line.
Given the roaming voice rate easily exceed $4/min (maybe even surcharge for Pay Per Use Roaming), you just need 6 mins to break even for the month.

Contacting bank customer service can easily exceed 10 mins as they process the necessary information. That would mean your 10GB Roaming is essentially free of 2 months or more.

And oh, 300 mins IDD Voice to 18 destinations is included. That's some insane value right there, if you need to use it.

However, please make sure you've read the step-by-step instructions posted in Simba website regarding roaming and plan ahead before attempting to do so.

Generally, port to SIMBA at least 2 weeks departure, and actively use the line for Singapore data etc before flying, it should be fine.

Do accept any carrier messages that can come in anytime during the 2 weeks period though, as it includes the carrier profile files needed for roaming.

Failure to do so might result in roaming not working properly. There's a lot of documented cases of such problems.

How your friend find the simba roaming in Europe whether good network can use ?

 

[lohsenglte]

How your friend find the simba roaming in Europe whether good network can use ?

Don't seem to have much problems. Though YMMV.

 

[RockStar9238]

Don't seem to have much problems. Though YMMV.

Thank you

 

[NickRevenge]

Mini rant: why does m1 charge $35 to convert to esim, it’s free on circles and myrepublic

 

[lohsenglte]

Mini rant: why does m1 charge $35 to convert to esim, it’s free on circles and myrepublic

Big Three all charge SIM Card replacement charges, be it physical SIM or eSIM.
Up to $35 (excluding prevailing GST).

Though you can always try to call in and ask if it's possible to do a one-time waiver.
If your tenure with the carrier is long enough, they might do the concession.

 

[007Mi6]

Big Three all charge SIM Card replacement charges, be it physical SIM or eSIM.
Up to $35 (excluding prevailing GST).

Though you can always try to call in and ask if it's possible to do a one-time waiver.
If your tenure with the carrier is long enough, they might do the concession.

M1 used to provide free replacement once a year, not sure now if they still have the policy