Mobile network operator Vodafone UK has announced that they’ve teamed-up with Sim Local to “explore opportunities to collaborate” and drive customer adoption of eSIM technology, particularly across the global travel market.
A traditional SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card contains a chip that authenticates your identity to a mobile operator, usually as soon as you slide one into a new mobile phone or other supporting device (it can also store a basic list of your contacts, but online services have largely superseded that).
By comparison a growing number of new Smartphones and other devices are shipping with eSIM support, which essentially embeds an electronic SIM into your device and that makes it both quicker and easier to switch between carriers via multiple account support. At least that’s the idea, but in practice support can be patchy and thus most of us still rely on physical SIM cards or processes.
Vodafone UK added more support for eSIMs in Smartphones on their Pay Monthly plans last year, but they’re keen to improve this and to see how it could be better harnessed by international travellers. Sim Local have plenty of experience in this field, including with helping operators to adapt to eSIM technology, which explains why they’ve joined forces.
Killian Whelan, CEO of Sim Local, said:
“eSIM technology is revolutionising the mobile industry at a rapid pace and will transform the way people connect to their everyday devices in the coming years, especially whilst travelling. As the travel market rebounds following the devasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will witness accelerated growth for eSIM both in the UK and across the globe.
We are delighted to be working closely with Vodafone UK, to explore the benefits of eSIM to international travellers.”