Holafly has just dropped a very loud announcement:
“The world’s first global data plan,” a permanent eSIM, and a new category that ends roaming forever.

Ambitious? Yes.
Revolutionary? Potentially.
Accurate? …depends on how closely you look.

Let’s unpack what’s actually happening — and where the real innovation sits.

Holafly’s plans offer a range of options for every type of traveler—from just $1.66 per day up to $64.90 per month for unlimited data, hotspot access and a local phone number that is valid in every country you visit.

“We are not just launching a product, we are opening up a new category,” explained Pedro Maiquez, co-founder of Holafly. “For the first time, travelers can stay connected worldwide with a single plan that is always installed on their smartphone. It is significantly more cost-effective and user-friendly than buying multiple local SIM cards.”

1. The positioning is smart, but the wording is… dramatic

Calling it “the world’s first global data plan” is a strong marketing line.
But we need to be clear:

• Global eSIMs already exist.
• Providers offering global monthly plans already exist.
• Permanent eSIMs (profiles that stay installed) also already exist.
• Even “global operators without roaming charges” exist in forms like eSIM Go, MTX Connect, Soracom, Yesim (a gIobal eSIM provider with some operator-like functionalities), GigSky+, and others.

What Holafly is doing is combining all of this into a polished, consumer-ready product with aggressive branding.

Is it the first? No.
Is it the first to market it this loudly and clearly? Yes.

2. The real product innovation: subscription + permanence + global + daily/monthly flexibility

This is where Holafly is genuinely doing something clever.

They’re merging:

• A global data footprint
• A subscription model
• Real pricing tiers ($1.66/day or $64.90/month unlimited)
• Hotspot included—though real performance will depend on Holafly’s undisclosed fair-use policy.
• A local phone number that works globally (likely VoIP-based), but Holafly has not specified whether it is GSM-integrated or app-based.
• Ability to pause and restart

That’s a far more coherent offering than the usual “global bundle of 5GB/10GB.”
It’s pushing toward a unified global operator feel—something the traditional roaming industry has resisted for years.

“This new approach simplifies internet use and gives travelers complete control over their data usage,” Maiquez emphasized. “Need more data for a longer trip? Simply top up. Taking a short weekend getaway? Reduce your plan or pause it.”

This is indeed a different category in the travel eSIM space.

3. The pricing is… aggressive and will shake competitors

Unlimited global eSIM for $64.90/month will raise eyebrows.

If speeds are consistent and throttling is fair, this is extremely competitive.

Most “unlimited” eSIMs either:

• throttle heavily
• restrict hotspot
• apply hidden fair-use caps
• vary by region
• or cost significantly more at true unlimited volumes

Holafly is clearly going for volume and industry disruption here.

If they deliver the speeds they imply, this is a big deal.
If not, it becomes another “unlimited” plan with an asterisk.*

The market will watch closely.

4. The rhetoric about “ending roaming forever”… let’s slow down

This is a fantastic marketing headline—but it’s not fully accurate.

Roaming exists because of wholesale network agreements.
Holafly is still using partner networks around the world.
The underlying economics don’t magically disappear.

What they mean is:

They are bypassing traditional retail roaming pricing for the end user.

That’s true.
But roaming as a phenomenon?
Still very much alive beneath the surface.

Still, their consumer message will resonate — because most travelers hate roaming fees.

5. Calling themselves “the first international mobile operator” is… aspirational

This depends on definitions.

Global operator models already exist:

• GigSky
• Ubigi
• MTX
• Glocalme
• Airalo+ (expected to launch soon with multi-IMSI capabilities)
• eSIM Go (wholesale but operator-like)
• Nomad (expanding global footprint)
• And multiple MVNOs with multi-country footprints

Holafly becoming “the first” isn’t technically correct.

But they might be the first mass-market consumer brand to claim the title publicly—and that matters in branding terms.

6. The comparison to Netflix and Uber is classic startup storytelling

Every tech launch compares itself to Uber or Netflix.
It’s standard PR language—not literal.

But the angle they’re playing is clear:

“We’re turning travel connectivity into a global, always-on subscription service.”

That’s the bigger trend — and honestly, the market has been moving toward this direction for years.

Holafly now wants to own the narrative.

7. The missing details (the industry will want answers)

Key things Holafly did not clarify:

• Real fair-use policy for “unlimited”
• Expected speeds in different regions
• 5G availability across countries
• Throttling triggers
• Whether hotspot is truly unlimited
• Countries excluded or capped
• Maximum allowed usage per month
• Whether number is VoIP or operator-integrated
• How countries with strict eSIM rules behave (e.g., China, Turkey)

These matter a lot.
Travelers will find out quickly if “unlimited” means broadband or 2 Mbps after 20GB.

8. Good for the industry—pressure creates innovation

Regardless of the unanswered questions, Holafly’s announcement is healthy for the sector.

Why?

Because it forces competitors to:

• clarify fair-use
• improve transparency
• rethink global subscription models
• move away from rigid data buckets
• innovate in operator-like infrastructure
• stop hiding behind “unlimited*” marketing tricks

Final Verdict: Ambitious, Bold, Marketing-Heavy — but a Sign of Real Change

Holafly’s announcement is:

• 40% innovation
• 40% bold marketing
• 20% “we’ll see once the product launches.”

But it is a big moment in the travel eSIM world.

If the product truly delivers what the PR promises, it will:

• push competitors
• reset expectations
• accelerate the shift away from fixed packages
• and force a new wave of unlimited and semi-unlimited offerings

If it doesn’t deliver?
It becomes a flashy announcement with an asterisk.

Either way, the industry won’t ignore it.

And for travelers—especially frequent, data-heavy, multi-country ones—the competition is nothing but good news.