Do eSIMs provide any value when traveling abroad?

[joubert1]

Further to "eSIM any drawbacks", if you need more than WhatsApp for person-to-person calling and texting, what value do eSIMs provide while you are traveling?  So far, eSIMs are data only, so while it's possible to complement a TravelPass plan with an eSIM, what value does the eSIM add?  Can it access 4G and 5G networks that TravelPass cannot?  Does the eSIM access local networks while TravelPass uses distant ones?

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

An eSIM can be beneficial when traveling long term and you want to use a local carrier instead of your home carrier. Here's a link from Apple which explains some of the benefits: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213448

~Jesse

[joubert1]

Hi Jesse @ Verizon,

Thanks for your answer and the informative link.  It's difficult to get my head wrapped around eSIMs because carriers and MVNOs offer comprehensive [costly] roaming solutions including calling + texting + data solutions, while companies like Airalo offer inexpensive , data-only point products.  Offerings may or may not include a new phone number which certainly complicates things.  Then, we must compare these offerings with SIM cards which are country-specific, involve a new phone number, and can be cost-effective.  Oh, and don't forget the plethora of data-only apps, e.g. - WhatsApp, and Wi-Fi Calling.

Best regards,

Jim

[vzw_customer_support]

joubert1, if you turn your Roaming off while overseas or in another country, you will not be able to access that country's cellular network options and will not receive calls, texts, or be able to use data. Texts will fail to deliver and not be stored. Depending on your device, voicemails may also not be delivered (Apple operates its own Visual Voicemail, for example, and we don't control their voicemail system).

If you use an international SIM for that country, you'll need to get service with that international carrier for the stay. 

TravelPass is designed for use for short trips, if staying longer, we recommend looking into one of our 30-day options, which can be reoccurring or one-time use. See our International options here: https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/

-John

[HowardInPA]

I had similar questions on our recent trip abroad, I had never used an esim before, but had used Travelpass.  Here is what I did and it worked good for me. 

First, I went into my Verizon account and turned on Travelpass for International Calling.  That way I couldn't accidentally incur a day of Travelpass when I didn't want it (I learned that the hard way...).

I got an eSim from Holafly, there are many vendors.  It was easy to install.  It cost me something like $25 for unlimited data for 7 days (in Ireland).  There are many vendors and various combinations of data and days.

I kept the Verizon sim card active while the esim was active.  That way I could receive and send Verizon text messages when on WiFi.

Otherwise for text messaging and a couple of phone calls I used Whatsapp.  And I could use my phone for other stuff pretty much anywhere I went, it accessed data from whatever Ireland network was there.

[joubert1]

Hi @HowardInPA 

Did you mean that you turned OFF your TravelPass?

I was told by Verizon that if I turned OFF TravelPass but kept my Verizon SIM installed, I would be charged Pay As You Go rates if I did anything that activated the SIM.  With an eSIM installed, I can redirect data to the eSIM, but I believe that any calling or texting will incur PAYG rates.  That includes local calling.

Is there any way to logically turn Verizon international plans on and off?  I was told by Verizon that , once I am outside the U.S., I must REMOVE Verizon's SIM card in order to prevent activation of international plans.  Ideally, I would like to be able to logically turn on TravelPass once a week to check texts and make calls to the U.S. and then turn it off.

I will be using WhatsApp, especially for local calling and texts. Crossing my fingers that touring companies, restaurants, etc. all have WhatsApp accounts.

[HowardInPA]

Hi joubert1

I am so sorry, I was incorrect about this.  When I look at my Verizon bill that just came, I was charged $5.95 for a combination of texts (incoming and outgoing) and calls (I think maybe I had two incoming calls).  I didn't realize that before, sorry about that.

FYI instead of removing the Verizon sim card, under Settings, Connections, there's an option called Sim Manager, and in there you can de-activate the Verizon sim (as opposed to taking it out) when you activate the esim.  I would deactivate it when we were out and about, but then turn it back on when we were using WiFi like in the hotel.  

It was easy via the My Verizon app (or we could use the Verizon website) to turn Travelpass off and on.  Maybe there's a way on there also to disable Pay As You Go too, after turning Travelpass off, but I do not know.

Again, sorry about the wrong info earlier. But I'm glad you brought that up, as we have another trip later this year and I'll be sure not to do what I did this time!

[joubert1]

Hi @HowardInPA 

Thanks for following up with the clarification.  I think that Settings > Connections >SIM Manager may appear in iPhones after v13 which support dual SIMs.  That would be wonderful, but my iPhone SE gen2 only supports a single SIM, so it's physical swapping of SIM cards for me.

I chatted at length with Verizon today, and turning off TravelPass (and the International Travel Plan) simply defaults you to PAYG rates.  If you use the VZ SIM for calling, texting or data, you will be subject to VZ billing.  There's no way out except, for me, to remove the SIM.  Having said that, data-only eSIMs eliminate your exposure to data roaming charges as long as you configure them correctly.

Bon voyage,

Joubert1

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello joubert1. Thank you for reaching out to us. We have different options for customers traveling abroad. Where will you be going? We can find the best options for your needs. 

~Ivone

[joubert1]

Hello Ivone,

Unfortunately, Verizon international travelling plans are too expensive to use for long trips.  Third-party SIMs offer high-quality, inexpensive substitutes for Verizon's calling, messaging, and data services, but they are country-specific and involve using new phone numbers.  eSIMs provide a great solution for data services, but not for calling or messaging.

I plan to travel to Fiji, Egypt, Morocco, Spain and Portugal. What options were you thinking of?

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello, joubert1, thank you for that information. We have another travel option that you can use instead of TravelPass. What you can do is add the monthly International Travel Plan which includes 250 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data. Additional details can be found here: https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/monthly-plan/. This plan will cover usage in each of the destinations that you mentioned. Will this option work better for you?

-Lauren

[joubert1]

Hi Lauren,

Thanks, but $400 for the duration of my trip is far too expensive, and 250 minutes//month is only 8.3 minutes/day.  That’s why I have been searching for third-party solutions such as SIMs and eSIMs.

Also, can you please make Community Single Sign-on with the Verizon website?  I never received a password with Community, and it's very kludgy having to sign on to Verizon first and then do it again with Community.  It keeps wiping out my responses before I can post them.

Best regards

[vzw_customer_support]

You're always free to suspend your service while you're traveling. This'll make sure that using your Verizon service while you're traveling is impossible, but you'll still be able to use your 3rd party SIM card. Here's a link with more information on voluntary suspends: https://www.verizon.com/support/suspend-service-faqs/

~Jesse

[vzw_customer_support]

It seems like we didn't receive a reply to our last message. If you still have any questions about any international charges, let us know, and we'll be happy to help out.

~Freddy