How to Cut Down on Roaming Charges with eSIM
Roaming causes many troubles for individuals who travel a lot. When you arrive at a new destination with the SIM card that you use at home, you will likely need to pay high roaming fees (depending on the terms and conditions with your network provider). While excessive charges are banned within the EU, when traveling to the rest of the world, you should be ready to pay higher connectivity fees if you don’t switch from your local SIM card. How to Cut Down on Roaming Charges
The situation is different when you use an eSIM. The virtual SIM technology lets you take advantage of switching network providers whenever you need to. With an eSIM, you can store as many eSIM profiles on your website as you wish and decide when and for which purposes you’d like to use each of them.
What Does Data Roaming Mean?
Data roaming is the process when your smartphone connects to the Internet using a non-native network, which results in the need to pay extra (and, in most cases, expensive fees). To make roaming more affordable, mobile network operators need to make their services accessible to outside accounts (non-customers) by negotiating the terms on which they will provide their services to other customers. When the agreement is reached, the following steps are commonly taken:
- A customer leaves the area that is covered by their ISP.
- The phone starts searching for available networks.
- A network in the visited country locates a non-registered device;
- The “visited” network obtains permission to roam from the home network.
- A customer gets temporary access to the services provided by the “visited” network. Meanwhile, the respective notification is sent to the home network.
The temporary access services are delivered on terms specified in the roaming agreements between the home and visited networks. As a rule, the cost of such services is pretty high. That’s why it’s logical to assume that you will be looking for cheaper ways to stay connected to the top mobile networks in the destination countries without compromising on the quality of services.
How to Avoid Roaming Charges with eSIM
With the technology becoming widely available worldwide, travelers receive several benefits from using an eSIM. It includes:
- No need to track down or change SIM cards when traveling;
- No roaming charges or international rates – pay the same fee wherever you go;
- Your phone will be compatible with overseas networks.
- Data valid for a lifetime as long as topped up once a year;
- No monthly payments;
- Worldwide coverage, with several networks in each country;
- Install as many eSIMs as you wish.
- Ability to download and use the plan immediately.
You can use an eSIM along with the SIM card from your local cellular provider. Thus, you can use your physical SIM card at home, switch to using the eSIM when you are on vacation, and enjoy lower connectivity rates.
When you leave for a vacation, you can also purchase a local SIM card from the provider offering coverage in the country that you are going to visit. Unless you have a dual-SIM smartphone, you will need to replace the current SIM with one of the destination countries. It may cause you certain inconveniences, and, besides, you face the risk of losing your home SIM card. Moreover, this option will only work for unlocked devices. With an eSIM, the configuration process is much more straightforward.
If you use a dual-SIM smartphone, you can take advantage of using the eSIM along with the local SIM card of the destination country. Thus, a local SIM card will give you a local phone number, whereas the eSIM will provide you with the best Internet connection wherever you go.
You can also use this functionality to have more than one number on the device, which is why many modern high-end smartphones and devices come with dual-SIM technology. With the power of having multiple plans, you can, for example, have one number for work-related calls and another for personal matters. You can use your current phone number for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Viber and enjoy cheap data roaming with another eSIM number. This removes the need to carry around two devices. If you’ve got one of the latest iPhones, Samsung, or Google Pixel phones, then there’s a good chance that you already have this functionality. You can see the full list of currently supported devices here.
If you don’t have a dual-SIM phone, don’t be upset! You can take advantage of using second phone number applications that will provide you with the second phone number on the same device. Use it for business purposes, online shopping, private needs, etc.
While choosing the eSIM technology from Keepgo, you take control of your connectivity every step of the way. With the data refill plans starting at $3, your travel-enabled eSIM has the same data price in 60+ countries, with several local networks per country. Thus, you can manually connect to the network provider that offers the best signal in the area where you stay. The prepaid eSIM works on the Lifetime data plan and features a balance that is valid forever if refilled at least once per year.
Stop worrying about monthly payments or any hidden fees! Use data only when you need it, and travel with peace of mind.