In a world where travel patterns are increasingly unpredictable and Wi‑Fi availability varies drastically, travelers often pay for data they don’t even use. Truely, the Singapore-based travel-tech eSIM provider, is tackling this inefficiency head-on. Its newly launched “Pause and Resume” feature empowers users to freeze their data plan when it’s not needed and reactivate it at their convenience—eliminating wasted days and giving back control over connectivity.

This innovation arrives at a pivotal moment. Juniper Research projects that travel eSIM users will surge from 40 million in 2024 to over 215 million by 2028, driven by the need for more flexible and cost-effective roaming solutions—a staggering 440% growth in just five years. The organization also underscores how eSIMs offer travelers approximately 35% savings per GB compared to traditional roaming fees. Truely’s new feature aligns perfectly with these emerging trends, enhancing value and convenience in the expanding eSIM landscape.

A Closer Look at the Feature That Puts Users in Control

“Breakage”—the silent erosion of prepaid data—is a longstanding issue in international mobile plans. Juniper Research highlights that in 2024 alone, roaming generated over US $10 billion, with unused data contributing heavily to that loss. Truely’s Pause and Resume directly addresses this waste, especially for frequent flyers.

By allowing users to pause their plan one day at a time (as long as it’s done before the day ends) and resume it whenever needed, Truely ensures that every day paid for is actually usable. No more forfeiting days lost in transit, waiting for flights, or reliance on Wi‑Fi spots.

What Sets Truely Apart from Other eSIM Providers

While some eSIM companies offer pause-like features, many impose restrictions—such as timers, incurring higher costs when moving between countries, or limited eligibility. Truely breaks that mold by embedding the Pause and Resume function as a standard feature across all offerings, not a premium add-on. 

According to Truely founder and chief executive Simon Landsheer:

“Breakage is an issue that has been normalised by the industry for the longest time. The goal is to restore fairness to a system that has silently profited from waste for decades. If we fix something as small but universal as breakage, we set a precedent for how technology should treat people everywhere: transparently, on their terms, and without hidden losses.”

Why Truely’s Timing Is Spot On in a Booming Market

The Juniper Research report forecasts that operators could lose over US $11 billion globally to the rise of travel eSIMs as adoption grows—and warns that unless network providers adapt, they risk falling behind. Truely’s proactive move to empower users complements this shift, positioning the company not just as a service provider but as a catalyst in redefining roaming norms.

This is especially compelling as the trend toward digital nomadism and hybrid work intensifies. Travelers are demanding solutions that align with their fluid schedules—not rigid, expensive packages. Truely’s latest feature meets that demand head-on.

The Broader Implications for the eSIM Ecosystem

As the industry braces for a projected 440% expansion in travel eSIM users by 2028, features like Pause and Resume could become baseline expectations rather than perks. Truely’s initiative may well push other players to redesign their offerings around fairness, flexibility, and transparency—fundamental principles for the traveler-first era.

In Summary

Truely’s Pause and Resume feature is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic response to mounting consumer demand and evolving market trends. By allowing users to freeze and restart their data plan at will, Truely is closing the gap on wasteful “breakage,” increasing traveler agency, and aligning with global shifts toward smarter, more flexible eSIM use. This move exemplifies how travel connectivity can evolve to truly serve user needs, rather than profit from inefficiency.

Firsty pioneered pause/resume early on, and Truely is now following suit — proving that this feature isn’t just possible, it’s already reshaping how we think about travel eSIMs.