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communication:internet:esims [2025/09/26 22:04]
frater_secessus [how eSIMs can be useful for nomads] 		communication:internet:esims [2025/09/30 18:18] (current)
frater_secessus [pro tips] IMEI
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 ===== how eSIMs can be useful for nomads ===== ===== how eSIMs can be useful for nomads =====
  
-You have AT&T but will be camping where there is no AT&T signal.  Your neighbors are getting good service from T-Mobile, so you buy a 7-day data eSIM plan for $5.20 that uses T-Mobile((and Verizon))  and download it to your phone.  Now you have T-Mobile service for a week, including the use of your phone as a hotspot and unlimited 128K data if you consume your 5GB allotment.  <- actual plan found on eSIMdb at time of this writing.  No contracts, no credit checks, typically up and running in a couple minutes. +**Short-term usage**:  you have AT&T but will be camping where there is no AT&T signal.  Your neighbors are getting good service from T-Mobile, so you buy a 7-day data eSIM plan for $5.20 that uses T-Mobile((and Verizon))  and download it to your phone.  Now you have T-Mobile service for a week, including the use of your phone as a hotspot and unlimited 128K data if you consume your 5GB allotment.  <- actual plan found on eSIMdb at time of this writing.  No contracts, no credit checks, typically up and running in a couple minutes.
  
 +**Fail-over**:  you have a dual-SIM device and are frequently in an areas where your main carrier doesn't have service.  You can load a PAYGO eSIM in the second slot, activate it, and let it fill in with the other two main carriers when needed.  When your main carrier comes back on line it will revert to that cheaper solution. 
  
 ===== types of SIM ===== ===== types of SIM =====
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   *    they facilitate transferring the eSIM to a different device   *    they facilitate transferring the eSIM to a different device
  
-You will have to use mail or a store to procure the physical eSIM but after that it will be used over the internet like a regular eSIM modeule in a phone.+You will have to use mail or a store to procure the physical eSIM but after that it will be used over the internet like a regular eSIM module in a phone.  Physical eSIMs can be bought from: 
 + 
 +  * [[https://amzn.to/4gGPU35|GL-iNet]] (intended for use in compatible GL-iNet routers, about 8 profiles) 
 +  * [[https://amzn.to/48yRNg0|EIOTCLUB]] 9 profile slots. 
 +  * 9esim - [[https://amzn.to/3VDj3Te|v0 card]] holds 15 profiles, [[https://amzn.to/4myy6ID|v3 card]] holds 50 profiles.  
 +  * perhaps better to avoid: [[https://esim.5ber.com/order?language=en-US|5ber]] and   [[https://esim.me/|eSIMme]] which charge extra for normal features like profile downloads and moving eSIM card to new device. 
  
  
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   * **breakout** - the geographic exit point where your data reaches the internet.  It could be    * **breakout** - the geographic exit point where your data reaches the internet.  It could be 
     * **local breakout** - your internet IP address will be in the country or state where you are using it;  this is generally preferable.     * **local breakout** - your internet IP address will be in the country or state where you are using it;  this is generally preferable.
-    * **remote breakout** - for economic, contractual or other reasons your IP may be geolocated in the UK, Asia, or Europe.  Common recent examples would be Hong Kong or Poland. Remote breakout could make latency ((as measured by ping)) or connection speed worse.  Some services (notably ChatGPT, Uber, or encrypted comms) may be firewalled in that country.  +    * **remote breakout** - for economic, contractual or other reasons your IP may be geolocated in the UK, Asia, or Europe.  Common recent examples would be Hong Kong or Poland. Remote breakout could make latency ((as measured by ping)) or connection speed worse.  Some services (notably ChatGPT, Uber, WhatsApp or encrypted comms) may be firewalled/restricted in countries like China. 
   * **installation** - downloading the profile from the provider into the eSIM.  This is most often done with a QR code that is emailed to you or shown on the website or app.  The profile will not be usable until it is subsequently //activated// (see above).     * **installation** - downloading the profile from the provider into the eSIM.  This is most often done with a QR code that is emailed to you or shown on the website or app.  The profile will not be usable until it is subsequently //activated// (see above).  
   * **latency** - delays in the transmission of data expressed in milliseconds.  Increased latency usually affect small transmissions more than larger ones.   * **latency** - delays in the transmission of data expressed in milliseconds.  Increased latency usually affect small transmissions more than larger ones.
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   * **profile** - account and technical information about a data plan from the provider. Downloading the profile onto the card is called //installation//.     * **profile** - account and technical information about a data plan from the provider. Downloading the profile onto the card is called //installation//.  
   * **provider** - a company that brokers and sells plans for use with eSIMs.    * **provider** - a company that brokers and sells plans for use with eSIMs. 
 +  * **tethering** - sharing data with other devices, typically by enabling the phone's built-in hotspot.  eSIM plan providers typically allow tethering.  On unlimited plans tethering may be restricted by speed, GB, etc.  Read the details.
   * **throttling** - a limitation on speed you would otherwise experience.  This can be no big deal (the throttle is higher than your normal use), annoying (5 day 5GB plan might only allow 1GB of fast data per day, then throttle thereafter, or a Good Thing (as when you get "free" throttled data after your GB allotment is consumed.     * **throttling** - a limitation on speed you would otherwise experience.  This can be no big deal (the throttle is higher than your normal use), annoying (5 day 5GB plan might only allow 1GB of fast data per day, then throttle thereafter, or a Good Thing (as when you get "free" throttled data after your GB allotment is consumed.  
  
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-You can buy from one company or mix-and-match to find the best fit for a particular use.  +You can buy from one company or mix-and-match to find the best fit for a particular use.  Providers known to work with the GL-iNet ecosystem listed in [[https://forum.gl-inet.com/t/carriers-supported-by-gl-inet-physical-esim/54164|this thread]].
  
-  * popular sellers +  * **popular sellers**  
-  * information aggregators - these sites list hundreds or thousands of plans which you can narrow down by various filters.  Their revenue comes from referral links to the listed providers.  +    * [[https://www.eiotclub.com/|EIOTCLUB]] 
 +    * [[https://www.airalo.com/united-states-esim|Aaralo]] considered very stable but often the most expensive 
 +    * [[https://saily.com/esim-united-states/|Saily]] 
 +    * [[https://www.jetpacglobal.com/product-details/north-america-esim/|JetPac]] 
 +    * [[https://esim.redteago.com/esim-united-states|RedteaGO]] 
 + 
 +  * **information aggregators** - these sites list hundreds or thousands of plans which you can narrow down by various filters.  Their revenue comes from referral links to the listed providers.  The ''Apply Promo Codes'' changes the displayed pricing to reflect the price you would get //if you use the promo code that is shown//.  It makes comparison easier without doing promo math in your head. 
       * [[https://esimdb.com/usa/|eSIMDB]] - most common site for finding eSIMs from multiple providers.        * [[https://esimdb.com/usa/|eSIMDB]] - most common site for finding eSIMs from multiple providers. 
       * [[https://esimradar.com/esim-usa/|eSIMradar]] - more filters but site functionality can be spotty       * [[https://esimradar.com/esim-usa/|eSIMradar]] - more filters but site functionality can be spotty
       * [[https://www.esim.guru/country/united-states|esim.guru]] - minimal filters available       * [[https://www.esim.guru/country/united-states|esim.guru]] - minimal filters available
 +      * [[https://esimmatch.com/countries/usa|eSIMMatch]]
 +      * [[https://mobimatter.com/esim-united-states|MobiMatter]]
  
  
 +  * **other**
 +    * [[https://unisim.net/|UNISIM]] has a different approach.  There is effectively one plan (PAYGO) and funds are deducted at published rates by country and carrier.  The service selects the cheapest available network. 
  
  
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   * to use eSIMs the phone must be **unlocked** (not restricted to one carrier).  Subsidized phones are usually locked for a certain time until the telco has broken even on giving you the phone.   * to use eSIMs the phone must be **unlocked** (not restricted to one carrier).  Subsidized phones are usually locked for a certain time until the telco has broken even on giving you the phone.
-  * **patterns in pricing** - although there is extreme variability in pricing there are some general patterns+  * **Roaming** must be turned on for the eSIM to work.  If you have free roaming on your primary carrier then leave roaming enabled on it.  If you don't have free roaming on your primary carrier then turne off roaming and let it fail over to the eSIM.   
 +  * when buying an eSIM plan from a new vendor, **buy a cheap "test" plan first** (1 day, 300MB for a buck or two).  This will tell you what the purchase, installation, activation, and performance is like.  If you are satisfied then buy the GB/days you really need.  
 +  * although there is extreme variability in pricing there are some **general patterns in pricing**:
     * plans with **multiple local network operators** tend to be more expensive than plans with a single operator     * plans with **multiple local network operators** tend to be more expensive than plans with a single operator
     * plans with **Verizon coverage** tend to be more expensive     * plans with **Verizon coverage** tend to be more expensive
     * plans with **longer expiration times** tend to be more expensive by the GB.  5GB with no expiration would be most expensive, then one year, then one month, then one week, then one day being the cheapest.  So focus on plans that closely match your expected time of use.  Example:  if you need only 7 days then buy a 7 day plan rather than a 30 day plan.      * plans with **longer expiration times** tend to be more expensive by the GB.  5GB with no expiration would be most expensive, then one year, then one month, then one week, then one day being the cheapest.  So focus on plans that closely match your expected time of use.  Example:  if you need only 7 days then buy a 7 day plan rather than a 30 day plan. 
     * plans with **multiple country coverage** tends to be more expensive by the GB.  Global plans would be most expensive, then multi-country, then single-country being the cheapest.  So if you will only be in one country focus on single-country plans.      * plans with **multiple country coverage** tends to be more expensive by the GB.  Global plans would be most expensive, then multi-country, then single-country being the cheapest.  So if you will only be in one country focus on single-country plans. 
 +    * practice [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|bandwidth conservation]] to use less data.  Then you can reduce the amount of GB you buy on your plan. 
 +  * physical eSims are effectively unusable with eSim providers that require **an IMEI** for provisioning.((https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1ntv9lx/9esim_v3_imei/ngxb2bv/))  
 +
communication/internet/esims.1758924279.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/09/26 22:04 by frater_secessus

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