In today's globalized world, staying connected while traveling internationally is essential. My SIM's eSIM 101 is an ideal starting point to help you understand what an eSIM is, how it works, and why it is gradually replacing traditional physical SIM cards. With outstanding benefits such as flexibility, ease of use, and cost savings, eSIM for travelers is an irresistible choice.

What is eSIM? The evolution from physical SIM to digital connectivity

Source: Aviro

From the first SIM cards the size of ATM cards to today's compact nano SIMs, physical SIMs have always played a role in connecting devices to mobile networks. However, the need for manual insertion and removal makes traditional SIMs less flexible and prone to issues when traveling frequently.

eSIM (Embedded SIM) emerged as a more modern solution. It is integrated into the device, requires no physical card insertion, and can be activated remotely via the internet. This allows users to easily install an eSIM, switch network providers with just a few taps, without needing to visit a store or buy a new SIM when traveling abroad.

In addition to convenience, eSIM also allows storing multiple network profiles on the same device – it is ideal for frequent business travelers, international tourists, or those who want to use multiple phone numbers simultaneously.

eSIM vs. Physical SIM Comparison

Despite its superior flexibility and convenience, are there any aspects where eSIM cannot replace traditional SIMs? Which solution is the most suitable for users' needs? Let's compare them in detail to understand the pros and cons of each!

What is Mobile Data? How much data do you need with an eSIM?

Source: Canva

Most activities on your phone, from browsing the web, using Google Maps, watching videos, to messaging through apps, require mobile data to connect to the internet. Each task consumes a different amount of data. For example, web browsing only uses about 50MB per hour, while watching 4K videos can consume up to 7GB per hour.

To visualize it better: 1GB of data = 1024MB. Every time you download or upload something using mobile internet, you are "consuming" that amount of MB/GB. The amount of data you need will depend on the apps you use frequently and how long you use them each day.

Here's an estimated data consumption for popular applications:

Google Maps: ~5MB/hour

Browsing social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok…): ~50MB/hour

Web browsing: ~50MB/hour

Playing online games: ~70MB/hour or more

Streaming music: ~100MB/hour

Watching videos:

• SD quality: ~1GB/hour

• HD: ~4GB/hour

• 4K: ~7GB/hour

You can refer to the estimated data usage for 1GB/day, 2GB/day, 3GB/day plans as below:

Source: Aviro

So, if you only use your phone for maps, checking emails, and messaging, you might only need about 1-2GB for each week of travel. But if you frequently watch videos or work remotely, consider higher data plans like 5GB or 10GB.

How to choose the right eSIM plan for your travels

Once you've calculated your data consumption, choosing an international travel eSIM plan becomes much simpler. At My SIM, you can easily select a suitable data plan (by day or total data) and validity period that matches your itinerary.

For example, if you are traveling to Japan for 10 days and expect to need about 3GB of data per day, simply visit the Japan eSIM product page, select the 3GB/day plan with a 10-day validity, pay, and scan the code. Upon arrival, your device will automatically connect to the local network – no need to buy a physical SIM, no waiting or long queues at the airport.

After choosing the appropriate eSIM plan, you can refer to how to set up eSIM on iPhone and on Android to connect to the network quickly in just a few simple steps.

This eSIM 101 article has provided you with a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the new connectivity technology that is changing how we use data when traveling abroad. By knowing what an eSIM is, how eSIMs work, how to set up an eSIM, and the benefits when traveling, you can proactively stay connected anywhere in the world, starting today!

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