Latest news with #eSims
South Wales Guardian
17-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
How to avoid roaming charges when abroad
Telecoms experts are urging travellers to check if their mobile plans include international roaming – otherwise they could face charges as high as £5 a day. For a two-week break that comes in at £70 per phone on top of regular mobile charges. For a family of four that's an additional £280 on their monthly mobile phone bill. Experts at are suggesting holidaymakers make use of eSims to bring costs down and make mobile usage overseas affordable. An eSim is a digital version of a SIM card. It allows users to switch to a local provider without taking out your traditional SIM or changing your number. After landing, mobile users simply change their mobile packing to use the eSim rather than the UK SIM. Telecoms expert Juliet Moran, said: 'Holidaymakers need to be aware of roaming changes both in Europe and further afield and they need to look at ways to mitigate the extortionate cost passed on by phone providers. 'An eSim is the easiest way to do this. They're already built into your phone and allow you to activate an additional mobile data plan. 'In comparison to roaming charges the cost is minimal. To give you an example, on a recent trip to the USA, my provider was going to charge £5 a day. An eSim plan for a month cost just $12. 'The plans will cover all your data needs including maps, social media, emails, and video calls, with no roaming charges or surprise fees when you get back home.' Firstly, it's important to check if your phone supports eSIMs. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up) support eSIM functionality. Check your phone settings or manufacturer website if you're unsure. Search within the country you are visiting for an eSIM holiday provider. It's quite a competitive market, so it won't take long to find a local supplier offering a good deal on an eSIM. Make sure it's contract free for short term use. Check the daily limits for data, even on an unlimited package. It's easier to find a cheaper provider once you are in the country, so use airport Wi-Fi to get yourself a good local deal. This is a fairly straightforward task. You will need to: Download the provider's app or scan a QR code to install the eSIM. You may need another phone to take a photo of the QR code to install it on your own mobile if you don't have a computer or tablet to hand. Or use the manual eSIM installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. Set the eSIM as your primary data plan while abroad (you can still receive texts and calls to your UK number if needed). Recommended Reading: How to get the cheapest airport parking and save up to £120 How to book airport parking and lounges before your holiday What is the best SPF moisturiser? Harley Street advice Keep an eye on your usage or buy a slightly larger plan to cover streaming and navigation comfortably, as going over those limits can lead to large bills. Once home, just toggle your mobile data settings to return to your UK SIM. The eSIM can usually remain installed for future trips or you can just delete it.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BT urges competition crackdown to block Apple's stranglehold on smartphones
BT has called for a competition crackdown on Apple over concerns the tech giant could use its smartphone market power to squeeze out mobile networks. The operator has raised concerns that the rise of virtual 'eSims' that replace Sim cards could see smartphone makers tighten their grip on the market. In a submission to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), BT said: 'We also encourage the CMA to consider the risk of disintermediation in the telecoms industry with respect to eSims, which is an additional area where handset providers could exercise their strong market position.' Physical Sim cards have long been a critical link between network operators and their customers. But the growth of eSims means BT and its rivals risk losing ground to the likes of Apple and Samsung, who are increasingly selling phones directly to consumers. The threat is particularly acute as telecoms companies try to expand their offering beyond traditional mobile services, amid tough competition and shrinking margins. BT, which is side-lining its brand in favour of EE, has outlined plans to start selling other products and services from fridges to insurance. It has also launched a new service and smartphone app, dubbed EE ID, in a bid to expand its customer base. However, industry executives fear these efforts could be undermined as tech companies increasingly build a direct relationship with their customers. Kester Mann, of industry analyst CCS Insight, said: 'One of the challenges is that network provisioning starts to become more remote, therefore there's less opportunity for operators to engage with customers, whether that's selling new products or getting a sense check on how they're feeling. 'It feels like it's another part of the journey that is cutting operators out the loop a little bit, so I think that's one of the reasons why they've been a little bit reluctant to embrace the eSim concept.' In the most extreme scenario, companies such as Apple could use eSims to launch their own virtual mobile networks – similar to the likes of GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile – though analysts said this was unlikely in the near term. eSims were not mentioned in an investigation into Apple and Google launched by the CMA last week, which focused on web browsers and smartphone app stores. Apple introduced its first eSim iPhone in 2022 and all of its US devices are now eSim only, with a similar move expected in Europe as soon as this year. BT is not alone in sounding the alarm over the rise of eSims. Virgin Media O2 has also raised concerns about tech giants tightening their grip on mobile markets. In a separate Ofcom submission published in 2022, the company said: 'Increased competition may deliver short-term benefits to consumers of mobile services, but there are genuine concerns around the potential ability of big tech to leverage their strong position in the supply of operating systems and their control over their vertically integrated ecosystems in a way that undermines competition and delivery of good outcomes in mobile markets in the long run.' Vodafone also has a team of people working to address concerns about the strength of big tech. However, industry sources cautioned that operators had lucrative partnerships with tech companies and were keen to maintain good relations. Apple did not comment on the BT submission. In response to last week's CMA investigation it said: 'Apple believes in thriving and dynamic markets where innovation can flourish. We face competition in every segment and jurisdiction where we operate, and our focus is always the trust of our users. 'In the UK alone, the iOS app economy supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and makes it possible for developers big and small to reach users on a trusted platform. 'We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA as their work on this matter progresses.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
