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Friday, February 14, 2020

Interview: Dual SIM on iPhone – eSIM user experience and review

At the moment the awareness of eSIM technology and availability is minimal. It is well understood, as according to research, currently only 3-5% of devices worldwide support eSIM (latest Iphone 11, XS, XR, Google Pixel 3&4, Cellular smartwatches like Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch and others) and the list is growing.
Every person we meet, we ask in conversation “what model of phone do you have”? And if they have eSIM compatible we ask “Have you heard of eSIM?”. Amazingly only 10% of people we ask are actually aware, or aware but don’t know how it works and what are the benefits.
Well, instead listing all the features to you, we asked our happy client to share his experience with eSIM:
esim
photo by Joseph Gruenthal
@josephgruenthal
What was the reason for you to have additional line or SIM?
I like iPhones a lot, but i always looked with a bit of envy on Samsung owners as they had Dual SIM capability. For me it was essential need for two reasons:
1. I need to have two separate lines – one personal and one business
2. When I travel, I usually buy additional roaming SIM or buy local SIM, and have to either switch SIMs or carry additional phone, which is inconvenient.
How did you learn about eSIM?
When my friend from MobilityPass asked me in the casual meeting, which model of phone do I have, I proudly said – iPhone 11! and XS as second one…
Then he asked me, have I heard of eSIM? I said yes, heard somewhere, but not sure what it is and how it works.
Well, my friend explained to me that it is digital sim embedded on my phone already and both of my iPhone actually has this eSIM capability, i just never used it. More than that, it works like additional SIM phone line, with no need to remove main SIM card…
Did he show you how to install/activate it? Was it difficult?
No, my friend had a test eSIM profile with him, so he said: “Just open Network settings and tap ADD PLAN”. We did it and phone activated camera for QR code search. QR code of his test eSIM profile was presented by my friend and phone quickly scanned it and activated additional SIM profile!
Phone asked me, which one of two profiles shall be used as primary for outgoing calls and which for data usage… at the same time both are active (I can receive calls on both numbers). Yes, the eSIM from MobilityPass comes with +44 international number.
OK, you have activated it, then, how did you set it up to make it work?
Then, in order to set up my phone to use eSIM for data (for example for travel), all i had to do is to set it up as primary for Data, switch roaming ON, wifi OFF and select network as Automatic. My phone quickly picked up available network and for the first time i see two network bars on my iPhone!
I was told, that this eSIM works worldwide and can connect to various networks in each country, and i can leave it as automatic or select manual depending on the rate and availability. For additional savings I can activate DayPass bundle (for example 1Gb per day for 10USD per day) in Europe or United States.
Looks like it worked for you, what was the process to get your own eSIM?
Well, this worked for me, and I have purchased my own individual eSIM – all I had to do was to complete form online, pay securely by Paypal and immediately receive email with login details to special WebApp or Dashboard where I could see all info about my profile, balance and eSIM and scan or download eSIM straight from the dashboard! (I heard some providers still e-mail QR codes, which is not very secure). That’s it. It is especially convenient when you are away on travel already and don’t have time to wait, until physical sim arrives by post…
It looks like you did some research on eSIM providers, why did you choose MobilityPass?
Firstly, they are in business since 2000… I don’t know many tech companies in this space who have such a long history…
Secondly, I like flexibility of their offering, which gives you freedom of choice of how and when and where you want to use your eSIM. It is fully prepaid, so i can spend only as much as I have loaded on the card, i dont have any commitment to pay monthly fees or whatever. I just reload when my balance is exhausted. Other providers sell you monthly plans and it is very hard to plan your expense with such offerings
Thirdly, again about flexibility and freedom – this eSIM from MobilityPass allows you to connect to more than 550 carriers worldwide, so I always have connection anywhere I go! Other providers limit you to specific countries, continents and most commonly to specific network carriers – so you can’t switch to another one (for example in specific location Vodafone may have no signal but Orange have good signal, and i can switch. Can’t do it with other providers eSIMs).
And most important – I have 24/7 support, so when I have question I can always contact Mobilitypass securely through my Member dashboard and get detailed answer, or even engage in chat with friendly operator.
What about fees and pricing, are they expensive?
I have seen some cheaper, but they don’t offer freedom and flexibility as mentioned above. Rates are competitive and it is easy to check offered rate for data or calls on the website for specific country and even for each specific network provider through your individual Member dashboard. Rates are quite competitive for roaming and definitely are cheaper, than using my home SIM provider abroad. In addition to that I can save 90% more for data usage when activating DayPass bundle, for example in Europe I can activate Daypass bundle 100Mb for 2USD per day or 400Mb for 6USD per day or 1Gb for 10USD per day, which is a bargain comparing to my home provider.
How Much data do you usually use per day on your trips?
I don’t usually use more than 100Mb per day, it is more than enough for Google Maps, Messenger and emails. When i need to watch youtube or download big files, i connect to Wifi. So for my 2 week trip to Europe, i activated DayPass bundle 2USD per 100Mb per day, so it cost me only 28USD for 2 weeks!
So would you recommend others to try eSIM?
Sure! Now I don’t have hassle of changing or waiting for physical SIMs, I can have multiple eSIM profiles on my phone with different phone numbers, and I can save on roaming charges!
Did you try to activate eSIM on your Apple Watch?
Actually yes, initially my Watch was not Cellular model, so I bought a bit more expensive Apple Watch Series 5 cellular model, which had eSIM capability. I had to check initially with Mobilitypass, as not all of them are compatible in each country, Apple made it a bit different and dependant on the country and links it to phone unlike Samsung and Xiaomi where eSIM watches are completely independent from phone and can be installed and work independently from phone. So I linked my watch and phone, installed eSIM on the phone and then added eSIM profile to the watch. After that watch could use eSIM independently – so I could leave my phone at home and have a running session with just watch on my wrist and still receive calls and messages.
Ok, thank you for sharing your experience and good luck with your business!

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Does new Samsung S20 support eSIM?


On 11th of February Samsung unveiled its new flagship model Samsung Galaxy S20 (as well as Galaxy S20+ 5G and Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G).

Best news for us is that Samsung Galaxy S20 does support SIM! As per Samsung “*eSIM supported on Galaxy S20, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra 5G models. eSIM requires a wireless service plan and allows you to activate a mobile network plan without the use of a nano-SIM. eSIM availability may vary depending on country and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.”
We can happily confirm, that eSIM with MobilityPass mobile network plans shall work perfectly on new unlocked Samsung Galaxy S20S20+ 5G and S20 Ultra 5G, and will provide access to over 550 network operators in more than 120 countries around the world at very competitive rates. Check more details here: www.mobilitypass.com

It has been a while since main competitor models like iPhone XSXR11 and 11Pro have been supporting eSIM, as well as Google Pixel 3 and 4, however Samsung was delaying introduction of eSIM in its phone models and initially had eSIM available only on Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE and Watch Active 2 LTE versions (as well as Gear S2, S3 and Frontier), and just recently added eSIM feature to very expensive experimental Galaxy Fold.
The term “eSIM” or “Electronic SIM” simply means an embedded SIM card. The embedded SIM is basically a small chip already built inside your eSIM ready device where the information is rewritable.
Then a “SIM profile” is loaded on it through a QR code to be scanned by your device. Then the eSIM acts as like a physical SIM, you can load several profiles and manage them with the application included with your device.

Advantages of the eSIM technology are endless

  • Instant delivery into your eSIM ready device
  • Convert your device into a multiple SIM
  • Connecting locally to multiple carriers
  • Manage privacy for business and family
  • Provide mobile capability to small device like Smartwatch
  • and much more to come…

GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL ESIM FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ACTIVATED ONLINE RIGHT NOW!

Your Cellular will get connected instantly with the MobilityPass eSIM solution. International Prepaid mobile data, call & text. Stay in touch and SAVE up to 95% on charges abroad…
No contract – No commitment
Picture courtesy of Samsung

Does Galaxy Z Flip support eSIM?


On 11th of February Samsung unveiled a new, statement-making foldable smartphone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.


Best news for us is that Samsung Galaxy Z Flip does support SIM! As per Samsung “One eSIM and one Nano SIM. * eSIM requires a wireless service plan and allows you to activate a mobile network plan without the use of a nano SIM. eSIM availability may vary depending on country and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.”
We can happily confirm, that eSIM with MobilityPass mobile network plans shall work perfectly on new unlocked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, and will provide access to over 550 network operators in more than 120 countries around the world at very competitive rates. Check more details here: www.mobilitypass.com
It has been a while since main competitor models like iPhone XSXR11 and 11Pro have been supporting eSIM, as well as Google Pixel 3 and 4, however Samsung was delaying introduction of eSIM in its phone models and initially had eSIM available only on Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE and Watch Active 2 LTE versions (as well as Gear S2, S3 and Frontier), and just recently added eSIM feature to very expensive experimental Galaxy Fold.
The term “eSIM” or “Electronic SIM” simply means an embedded SIM card. The embedded SIM is basically a small chip already built inside your eSIM ready device where the information is rewritable.
Then a “SIM profile” is loaded on it through a QR code to be scanned by your device. Then the eSIM acts as like a physical SIM, you can load several profiles and manage them with the application included with your device.


Advantages of the eSIM technology are endless

  • Instant delivery into your eSIM ready device
  • Convert your device into a multiple SIM
  • Connecting locally to multiple carriers
  • Manage privacy for business and family
  • Provide mobile capability to small device like Smartwatch
  • and much more to come…

GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL ESIM FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP ACTIVATED ONLINE RIGHT NOW!

Your Cellular will get connected instantly with the MobilityPass eSIM solution. International Prepaid mobile data, call & text. Stay in touch and SAVE up to 95% on charges abroad…
No contract – No commitment


Pictures courtesy of Samsung

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

World-First car to feature Dual Esim connectivity – New Land Rover Defender

Land Rover stunned public during CES2020 by presenting a car featuring not just one, but DUAL ESIM!
As per source:
  • Twin LTE modem connectivity: New Defender features world-first dual-modem, dual eSIM design for enhanced connectivity and functionality. Powered by two Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820Am Automotive Platforms, each with an integrated Snapdragon X12 modem
  • 21st century Defender: With two LTE modems, Defender can download Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates on the move without interruption and while streaming music and apps through its state-of-the-art Pivi Pro infotainment
  • Remote connectivity: New 4×4 features 16 electronic modules that can be updated anywhere in the world, and uses cloud-based technology from CloudCar to provide personalisation, content and services
With one LTE modem and eSIM dedicated to the Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology and the same set-up looking after music streaming and apps, New Defender has the digital capacity to keep customers connected, updated and entertained at all times anywhere in the world. You could liken the design to a brain, with each half enjoying its own connection for unrivalled and uninterrupted service. Like the brain, one side of the system looks after logical functions, like SOTA, while the other takes care of more creative tasks.
PETER VIRK, DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED CAR AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY, JAGUAR LAND ROVER
It looks like a confirmation of the new trend where each car will have digital Esim already preinstalled so that cars are always connected worldwide.
It is not clear yet, will Land Rover offer their own Esim Network provider, or customers will be able to use their own Esim on their cars… for example to save costs when travelling to the country with expensive roaming.
If you are interested in International ESIM for your own phone, smartwatch, tablet or car, please check www.mobilitypass.com