Are you going on a trip to a country outside the European Union? Consider this simple and economical solution if you want to use your smartphone without blowing up your mobile plan.
When going abroad, inevitable questions arise about the use of your smartphone. What are you entitled to in your mobile plan? Will you be able to call and use the Internet without breaking the bank? If you are traveling to a country in the European Economic Union (EAEU), the answer is quite simple. Since June 2017, additional costs linked to roaming have been eliminated. You can therefore call, exchange SMS and benefit from an Internet connection without extra billing. This concerns the 27 EU countries in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, with Great Britain being excluded since Brexit.
Outside the UEE, however, things get complicated. A glance at your operator’s contract may reveal that your package includes a communications package (calls, SMS, data) that can be used in certain countries. But if this is not the case, in the majority of cases your operator recommends upgrading to a higher plan for the duration of your stay. And there, it’s a cold shower with the prices applied. A package can thus see its price double or triple.
To use your mobile abroad without spending a fortune and without staying on the lookout for free Wi-Fi networks, there is a very simple solution: the prepaid eSIM. The eSIM is a virtual SIM card. There is no physical card to slide into the smartphone. Several parameters must be taken into account such as the length of stay, the desired data envelope and the integration or not of calls and SMS. However, we recommend that you focus on the volume of data offered. Indeed, with apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger, you can also call your loved ones and send them messages using only an Internet connection.
The eSIM card offers are plentiful and the prices vary greatly. For example, for a 7-day stay in Asia, count on 10 euros for a 10 GB envelope with UpeSIM or 19 euros with GetYourGuide. If you want to benefit from unlimited data, it will cost 27 euros with HolaFly, one of the biggest players in the sector. There are a multitude of other operators with sometimes lower prices. A quick search in Google indicating “eSIM + your destination” will allow you to find the most suitable package.
Before getting started, remember to check that your mobile is compatible with eSIM cards. Not all are, including recent models. It must also not be locked to your operator’s network (this is the case for devices sold cheaper with a subscription). The eSIM card is then easily installed on the device. Most of the time, it is enough to scan a QR code to activate it once at the place of stay. You then benefit from a new line. Don’t forget to deactivate your main (French) line.