Vodafone expands eSIM offer for travelers

Anyone who needs additional data volume for a stay abroad can now also buy it from Vodafone. The mobile network operator is expanding its range of eSIMs with data packages for various countries, which it sells on the revised website and in the “Vodafone Travel” apps for Android and iOS.

The Vodafone Travel eSIM can now be used at more than 200 travel destinations in over 700 mobile networks worldwide, the company announced on Thursday. The packages only contain data volume to supplement your tariff. Calls and text messages are billed via the respective roaming tariff. However, this does not have to be a Vodafone tariff — the eSIM offer is open to everyone.

Flexible packages

The packages start from 1 gigabyte and have a duration of 7 to 90 days, depending on the size. Prices vary depending on the size of the package and the destination region. While 1.5 gigabytes for the whole of Europe (including the UK, Switzerland and Turkey) is available for 4 euros, 20 gigabytes for the USA costs 26 euros.

The packages can be booked in the app (Android and iOS) or on the website. The customer receives a QR code by email, which is used to install the eSIM. The eSIM is installed directly in the app without a QR code. It must then be activated, which can be done up to 30 days after purchase.

The data packages can be used as a hotspot. The eSIMs support 5G networks where these are available. According to Vodafone, this currently includes at least 98 countries. There is no overview of which partners the company works with and which networks are used in the target region.

According to Vodafone, it has expanded the circle of network partners in the countries. According to a spokesperson, the offer is not based on the platform of a service provider such as 1Global, which realizes comparable eSIM offers for partners such as Revolut or Freenet.

Price comparison pays off

Thanks to the eSIM (short for “embedded SIM”), which is delivered digitally, providers no longer have to deal with the time-consuming logistics of sending a physical SIM card by post and then activating it. There are now numerous providers that specialize in eSIMs for travellers, including Airalo, Saily and Travsim.

It is worth comparing prices because the providers may have different prices and network partners. The travel packages of each provider's own network operator can also be an option. It should also be noted that many smartphones and network operators do not allow two eSIMs to be used at the same time.

(vbr)