Traveling nowadays is not only a hobby, but also a way to relax, have a great time with loved ones on the weekend and learn something new about another country. More often than not, travelers have a question, how to keep in touch with family and friends while traveling?
After all, each of us likes to share news on social media and update messengers. At this point, many ways of communication can come to the rescue, but today we will take a detailed look at one of them, and that is connecting a virtual sim card or esim.
Foremost, let’s take a look at what is esim?
An eSIM is a SIM card that looks like a small chip inside the device. It allows you to connect to the Internet, make calls, and send SMS messages.
This chip cannot be taken out, as it is soldered into the motherboard of the device. To connect esim and get a virtual phone number, you need to download virtual phone number app and complete the virtual sim card setup on your smartphone. The installation takes just a couple of minutes.
What are the options for connectivity when traveling to other countries?
- The first option available is roaming. The cost of connection and usage can be high, especially if you plan to make calls and use mobile internet in another country. The high cost is due to the tariffs of your mobile operator. But you should remember that the operator charges a fee for any SIM card activity abroad.
- The second option is to connect a sim card of a local operator. In some countries you can buy a SIM card of a local operator, the cost is different: from $2 to $35. Remember, in some countries it is impossible to buy prepaid SIM cards, and to get a regular SIM card you need to show local ID documents.
- The third option is to connect virtual international esim. With esim you will be able to use communication services, connect services, use mobile internet at low prices. Also, with a virtual sim card you will be able to purchase a mobile number not of a specific country, but a sim card that will work in several countries.
Having considered what a virtual sim card is and options for staying connected abroad, let’s take a closer look at the pros of connecting a virtual sim card to use it while traveling abroad.
1. Ease of connection
To connect a physical SIM card you need to go to the office of the mobile operator. This option is not always convenient: in some countries you will need to provide documents, or you simply do not have time to look for the office of the mobile operator.
Esim is connected in just a few minutes, you do not need to leave home, and you can connect everything in advance, even before traveling. In addition, you can connect a virtual SIM card in advance and activate it while you are already in another country.
2. Multifunctionality
You can store up to five phone numbers on one virtual card chip. These numbers can work in different countries or a group of countries, and can have different tariffs and connected features.
Simple SIM card settings allow you to choose all available features of your card, for example, you can connect the card only for calls or only for SMS messages, or you can choose a tariff that includes GB mobile internet.
3. Security
The security of a virtual sim card is both physical and cybersecurity. The virtual sim card is a chip, so it is impossible to take it out of the device. Therefore, your sim card will always be safe from theft, corrosion and other damages that can happen to physical variants of sim cards.
Also, esim does not allow the theft of your personal data, so fraudsters will not be able to use the card if they want to move it to another device.
Having considered all the benefits of connecting a virtual sim card, let’s look at the available options for connecting a sim card.
eSIM plus
With eSIM plus you can make and receive calls, receive SMS messages and also connect to mobile internet. In eSIM plus, virtual numbers of more than 120 countries are available for purchase.
The most expensive tariff with unlimited internet and the ability to communicate in any country from the list of 120 countries costs €200. As a bonus, eSIM plus has a handy application for managing your tariff.
Airalo
Airalo provides services in more than 200 countries around the world. With this service, you can purchase a virtual SIM card that will be valid even in a certain continent.
However, with this application you will not be able to get such service as making calls, only the mobile internet feature is included in the basic package. The cost of the plans depends on many factors like country, tariff and additional features.
Also, the number of included gigabytes of mobile internet and days of SIM card usage affect the price. For a SIM card with the ability to communicate in all countries of the world, the cost varies from $9 to $89.
Orange Flex
This is a Polish communications provider that has become very popular and operates throughout Europe. Prices for tariffs differ depending on the number of gigabytes of internet and the length of time the sim card is used.
Prices start at $2 and end at $12 for 10 GB of mobile internet. Also, this provider has a lot of promotions and discount plans that you may like.
To summarize, a virtual SIM card is an opportunity to keep in touch while traveling to other countries at a low cost and with good quality. When choosing a virtual SIM card, consider the number of days of your trip and the features you need. In any case, a virtual SIM card is the best option to stay connected while traveling.
