For ALL enquiries on SIM Cards and E-SIMS

I just did 23 days in Canada with my £9 a month O2 contract, didn’t even consider data limit, used it all the time, especially google maps when walking in towns and cities, no extra charges at all.
All depends on your contract.....most people don't realise if you didn't change your contract post Brexit you get to stay on the old terms which include international roaming at not extra cost
 
You can't use more than 12GB when roaming per month so just be aware of that.
And yes on threes website it currently says unlimited minutes and texts for PAYG sims and all tariffs.

Thanks Bigcats
 
I notice that most of these eSim plans are data only.

Daft question but if i receive incoming calls while using these, do i get billed even if i dont answer?
Or is there eSims that include talktime etc

I was looking at this for Mexico
No you do not

Also you can select which SIM receives calls or texts or is the one for data

That's the beauty of multi SIM phones
 
I notice that most of these eSim plans are data only.

Daft question but if i receive incoming calls while using these, do i get billed even if i dont answer?
Or is there eSims that include talktime etc

I was looking at this for Mexico
Hi,
What I do is use the e-sim for data (Navigation emails etc) and my original sim for calls, that way your phone number does not change
 
Hi,
What I do is use the e-sim for data (Navigation emails etc) and my original sim for calls, that way your phone number does not change
Exactly what I do

@Barnoe

In the SIM manager section of your phone you will see this and be able to adjust what you wish to use.

or even turn off a SIM completely

Screenshot_20240510_110018_Call settings.jpg
 
I believe that FaceTime calls and WhatsApp calls are classed as data, so you can use those methods to make/receive calls from people in your contacts list, and anyone else can go sing…😊
 
I believe that FaceTime calls and WhatsApp calls are classed as data, so you can use those methods to make/receive calls from people in your contacts list, and anyone else can go sing…😊
This is correct

Don't forget places like Macdonald's etc all have free WiFi so that is another way to get free data for using these type of apps
 
I notice that most of these eSim plans are data only.

Daft question but if i receive incoming calls while using these, do i get billed even if i dont answer?
Or is there eSims that include talktime etc

I was looking at this for Mexico
Not true. Any contract or pay as you go Sim can be an eSim. Including you existing Sim that can be converted to an eSIM.

I’ve two contracts with O2.
One is a physical sim for my work and has a 50GB data.
The other is my personal sim, that has 30GB data.
Both have unlimited calls and SMS messaging.
However Data is what I am interested in more than SMS.

However in today society, we consume more date than actual phone calls and SMS messages.

Why pay good money for an MMS and send a shit quality photo, when I can use Apple iMessage or Whatapp and send same photo for nothing (almost) and in good quality. Both services rely on using data.
 
Thank you very much for this thread Big cats it has been both very interesting and informative for me.

Forgive me please if I ask seemingly stupid questions here but I'd like to get this all straight in my own head.

Four of us will be touring in the Balkans over three weeks in June. Looking at the Airolo app (thanks Martin :thumb2) I see that I can get a Regional package with 10GB for 30days at $37 which will cover all but two of our countries. I'd imagine that all we'd have to do is activate the e-sim and go but am I correct in that assumption?

Can I have a second e-sim on my device (Google Pixel 8 Pro) so that I can get a Local e-sim for Bosnia with enough data for a couple of days? I'd intend to leave the physical sim card in the phone and use e-sims for the trip.

Would you think that 10GB and an additional 2GB for a couple of days in Bosnia would be enough to allow me to use Google maps and WhatsApp (I don't intent to be making or taking calls otherwise)?

All the world and EU coverage with 3 for the 21 day duration was going to cost me £90 but I think I will get data for all countries for $44 (£35) which is a significant saving. Again thank you and Martin very much for all the information in this thread. I appreciate it greatly.
 
Hi Aidan
Do NOT activate the eSim until the day before you hit EU shores, as the clock starts running the second you activate it IKWIM
When you get the Airalo app downloaded it makes things very easy, and they have some good videos to wlak you through the process
 
Thank you very much for this thread Big cats it has been both very interesting and informative for me.

Forgive me please if I ask seemingly stupid questions here but I'd like to get this all straight in my own head.

Four of us will be touring in the Balkans over three weeks in June. Looking at the Airolo app (thanks Martin :thumb2) I see that I can get a Regional package with 10GB for 30days at $37 which will cover all but two of our countries. I'd imagine that all we'd have to do is activate the e-sim and go but am I correct in that assumption?

Can I have a second e-sim on my device (Google Pixel 8 Pro) so that I can get a Local e-sim for Bosnia with enough data for a couple of days? I'd intend to leave the physical sim card in the phone and use e-sims for the trip.

Would you think that 10GB and an additional 2GB for a couple of days in Bosnia would be enough to allow me to use Google maps and WhatsApp (I don't intent to be making or taking calls otherwise)?

All the world and EU coverage with 3 for the 21 day duration was going to cost me £90 but I think I will get data for all countries for $44 (£35) which is a significant saving. Again thank you and Martin very much for all the information in this thread. I appreciate it greatly.
Does you current service provider not allow you to roam in the EU with data allowance from your existing contract?
 
I’d check with your service provider first. For instance, O2 cover several countries out that way as part of there roaming allowance.
 
Does you current service provider not allow you to roam in the EU with data allowance from your existing contract?

How many of those countries during "3 weeks in the Balkans" are in the EU roaming area?

5 of 12 I believe. Greece, Slovenia. Croatia, Bulgaria & Romania

Not Bosnia, Serbia, Albania, N. Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey & Kosovo
 
Thanks all. Unfortunately I changed contract a couple of years ago and don't have EU roaming included thanks to Brexshit.
 
Hi Aidan
Do NOT activate the eSim until the day before you hit EU shores, as the clock starts running the second you activate it IKWIM
When you get the Airalo app downloaded it makes things very easy, and they have some good videos to wlak you through the process
Thank you Neill. Is the sim activated immediately upon purchase or can you buy it in advance then activate when needed ie on the day before travel as you suggest?
 
Thank you Neill. Is the sim activated immediately upon purchase or can you buy it in advance then activate when needed ie on the day before travel as you suggest?
Hi Aidan
You can download it well before you travel, and then just activate it the day you set off (If going directly to mainland EU)
You get sent a 2D barcode which is effectively the e-sim. Just keep that email until you are ready
 
Thank you very much for this thread Big cats it has been both very interesting and informative for me.

Forgive me please if I ask seemingly stupid questions here but I'd like to get this all straight in my own head.

Four of us will be touring in the Balkans over three weeks in June. Looking at the Airolo app (thanks Martin :thumb2) I see that I can get a Regional package with 10GB for 30days at $37 which will cover all but two of our countries. I'd imagine that all we'd have to do is activate the e-sim and go but am I correct in that assumption?

Can I have a second e-sim on my device (Google Pixel 8 Pro) so that I can get a Local e-sim for Bosnia with enough data for a couple of days? I'd intend to leave the physical sim card in the phone and use e-sims for the trip.

Would you think that 10GB and an additional 2GB for a couple of days in Bosnia would be enough to allow me to use Google maps and WhatsApp (I don't intent to be making or taking calls otherwise)?

All the world and EU coverage with 3 for the 21 day duration was going to cost me £90 but I think I will get data for all countries for $44 (£35) which is a significant saving. Again thank you and Martin very much for all the information in this thread. I appreciate it greatly.
I feel most of your questions have been answered but I want to point out something

Just be aware your phone may not allow too many Esims ok...so don't go buying loads before hand as you may fall could of your phones limitations.

So just bare that in mind, as it's easy to get them once you're on the road to change as and when you can
 
Or carry a spare phone if you have an old one around, you could put a data SIM into It and use it as a hotspot for your main phone etc

Also useful if more than one of you want to access the data
 


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