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When we travel abroad, there are many aspects we must plan to make our trip an unforgettable experience. One of the most important is everything related to connectivity.
As our smartphone has become an essential part of our daily lives, ensuring internet access is essential for translating documents, sending photos, keeping in touch with friends, accessing navigation apps, or any other similar need. And, to achieve this, the vast majority of travelers rely on eSIM cards or international data plans. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about eSIM vs international plan.
What is an international roaming plan?
Let's start by defining what an international roaming plan is. The vast majority of carriers with which we use our main line have agreements with international carriers to share the use of their network. This way, when we land in any other country, our phone connects to the networks with which they have agreements. This doesn't mean that that network is the one with the highest speed.
Although it may seem like a more convenient option since we don't have to subscribe to another carrier, it also has its limitations. These are the three main drawbacks:
- The cost is much higher than that of an eSIM.
- Coverage is unlimited because it depends on the carrier with which the plan is signed.
- The speed is much lower.
What is an eSIM for traveling abroad?
In recent years, virtual SIM cards, known as eSIMs, have become the best alternative for traveling abroad. With them, we can activate an international data plan without having to rely on any carrier to provide us with a physical card.
Because the virtual card is installed directly on our device, it is activated remotely and immediately. Therefore, we have internet access from the moment we land at our destination.
The activation process is very simple; all we have to do is sign up for the service provider we're interested in and scan the QR code sent to us via email. Our smartphone will automatically guide us through the entire activation process. In just a few minutes, everything will be ready for use. One of the main eSIM travel benefits is that they are a much more flexible option, as they can be activated before or after the trip, have global coverage, and are also instantaneous. This means we can connect to the internet from the very first moment.
eSIM vs. International Plan: Main Differences
| Aspect to consider | eSIM for travel | International data plan |
| Cost | Much more economical and with always clear rates. | High and with possible surprises in the final bill. |
| Activation | Snapshot. | We have to go to a physical store or consult with the operator. |
| Flexibility | It is ideal for multiple trips. | In each country, the rate will be different. |
| Coverage | Coverage is global, without limitations. | Not all countries are covered, depending on the relevant agreements. |
| Performance | Maximum speed with the local operator that offers the best performance. | Performance depends on local operator agreements. |
| Transparency | Clear rates from the start. | We may have unexpected additional charges. |
| Duration of use | Ideal for both short and medium-term stays. If you're spending several months abroad (more than 6) in the same country, other options may be more suitable. | Ideal for short stays. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of eSIMs
Advantages:
- The main advantage of eSIMs is that we don't need to change our physical SIM. This reduces the risk of losing it or having it cloned.
- In addition, it's compatible with more than 190 countries without changing plans. So we can take one trip today and another five months from now. The same card will work for both, and if any balance remains from the previous trip, we can use it without any problem on the next one.
- Purchase and activation can be done from anywhere without having to travel to a specific physical location.
- The price is much cheaper than traditional roaming.
- It doesn't require any type of contract or permanence, offering great flexibility.
Disadvantages:
- The main drawback is that you need a device compatible with an eSIM card. If you bought a smartphone within the last two or three years, you shouldn't have any problems.
- Some low-end devices don't yet support this technology.
- We may encounter restrictions in very specific countries, such as China or Cuba. However, everything will depend on the policies of the country in question.
Advantages and disadvantages of international plans
Advantages:
- The main advantage of traditional roaming is that we keep our usual number and line, so we don't need to change anything.
- Plus, everything is integrated into a single bill with our operator.
Disadvantages:
- When it comes to the cost of international roaming, it is characterized by a large number of charges, even when we rarely use our smartphones.
- It has a large number of limitations, such as the small amount of gigabytes it includes.
- If you don't have stable agreements with local operators, we will have a very poor user experience. We may not even have coverage in the country we are visiting, which makes our rest extremely difficult.
- If traditional roaming is characterized by anything, it is because it is very easy to suffer unexpected charges for data usage.
Which should you choose?
As always happens in these types of decisions, there is no one option that is better than another; everything will depend on our needs and preferences. Despite this, the reality is that as we have different options when it comes to purchasing our SIM cards, it's becoming less common to find travelers who continue to rely on their carrier's roaming plans.
eSIM cards are cheaper, have the advantage of immediate activation, and won't cause any surprises on our bills. If we opt for an unlimited plan, we'll be able to use our data without any worries, which is a significant advantage over traditional roaming.
As for traditional roaming, we can only recommend it if you don't want to contract with any service provider outside of your carrier. Despite this, the reality is that it wouldn't make much sense since activation can be done remotely in just a few minutes. This is a method that has worked very well for many years but is currently much more expensive than other alternatives that have emerged on the market, such as the one we mentioned.
As we've seen, eSIM travel benefits are way more than traditional roaming. Ease of use, immediate activation, and the fact that the entire contract is completely transparent are just some of the advantages that make the best sim option for travel.
If you're thinking about getting an eSIM, check out Blink eSIM's flat rate plan and see how affordable they are. Remember, they cost €3 + VAT and include unlimited data at 5G speeds. Support is also provided via WhatsApp, so any questions can be answered in a matter of minutes, even on weekends.
FAQs
Is an eSIM cheaper than international roaming?
Currently, eSIMs are much cheaper than international roaming. Plus, it offers a much more stable connection thanks to its agreements with local carriers.
How do I activate an eSIM for traveling?
The activation process is very simple: scan the QR code you receive via email, and your smartphone will guide you through the entire activation process. In just a few minutes, the SIM card will be ready for use.
What happens if my phone isn't compatible with an eSIM?
If your phone isn't compatible with an eSIM, the only alternative we can offer is to consider upgrading to a higher model. Otherwise, you can always use roaming plans.
Are there hidden charges for eSIMs?
No, eSIM cards are characterized by completely transparent plans with no hidden charges or surprises on your bill.
