This topic

e-sims

Roberto2 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:12:06 GMT

Are e-sims available with B T?

Re: e-sims

imjolly — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:45:44 GMT

BT don't currently have E sims available to residential mobile customer only business EE provide E sims if you move to EE mobile

Re: e-sims

Kimberlin — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:14:24 GMT

@Roberto2 How tied to BT mobile are you? There are a couple of MVNO’s out there that do use esim, I’m on one myself that uses the EE network, cheap too.

Re: e-sims

Kodikid — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:58:38 GMT

Best to ring BT and explain that you require a esim.

They are very keen to move BT mobile customers over to EE

So you might get your esim and a better deal to boot.

Re: e-sims

Roberto2 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:47:47 GMT

Many thanks to all for replying to my question. Went through BT, problem sorted! thanks once again.

Re: e-sims

chrisjp — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:14:42 GMT

I'm not sure I understand the attraction of e-sims.
With a phyical sim if you change your mobile phone to a new one then all you have to do is move the sim from the old phone to the new one and straightaway you're back in business.
With an e-sim you have to get the phone provider to move the e-sim from your old phone to your new one and, knowing BT/EE, this probably won't be a pain free process!

Re: e-sims

Kimberlin — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:46:59 GMT

@chrisjp For frequent world travellers they are far more convenient. I’ve used esims for data all over the world without problems. If you do your research, esims are considered more secure than physical sim cards.

When I replaced my old iPhone last year, I did have the faff of having to call my provider to send me a new QR code for a replacement esim, but still, it was relatively painless.

Esim whether anyone likes them or not, will undoubtedly replace physical sims completely in the future.

Re: e-sims

chrisjp — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:41:27 GMT

Maybe I'm out of date here but I thought buying a local physical sim when you arrived in an overseas country was the best and cheapest way to get connected when abroad.
Surely with an esim you're locked into your home country's carrier?

Re: e-sims

Kimberlin — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:56:14 GMT

@chrisjp Look up the likes of Nomad and Airalo and you’ll see what I use for esims when I travel. It’s usually only for data as I use WhatsApp for most of my calls and messaging and of course a VPN for my banking. As far as Europe is concerned, I get inclusive minutes from my MVNO for a number of countries.

Once upon a time, I used to buy local sim cards, but not any more. In South Africa for example, as a non resident, you have to register a local sim card to comply with RICA regulations, so getting an esim prior to travel is a lot less hassle.