The number of devices that support eSIM has been continuously growing, and we’re likely to see this becoming a standard in the industry. These eSIM cards bring us all the features that regular SIM cards do, paired with additional convenience and advantages.
If you’re a digital nomad or a remote worker, you should consider getting into eSIM and see the benefits for yourself. Today, we’re diving into some of the exceptional features and benefits that eSIM offers in general, but that can be especially helpful to remote workers.
What is eSIM
There are two major paths that the tech world is heading right now. The one where we’re seeing major breakthroughs, such as with artificial intelligence and quantum computers, and the one where past inventions and technologies are becoming improved and more convenient.
eSIM cards fall under the latter, and we’re excited to see the technology that’s been around for decades receive a new shape. We’ve all used SIM cards. They are tiny cards that we put in our phones to basically gain all the major functionalities such as data, calls, messages, etc.
All SIM cards come with a phone number, and it’s basically the most important part. eSIM cards are completely digital, and we don’t need to put them physically on our phones. SIM stands for subscriber identity module, and it’s also a form of a customer ID.
The process of adding an eSIM card to your phone to keep you connected is more similar to installing a piece of software. You purchase an eSIM from a mobile provider, or you subscribe to one of many online eSIM providers. There are both pre-paid and post-paid plans.
They have all the features that a traditional SIM does, but they often carry a lot of sweet benefits that remote workers and tourists can benefit from. An eSIM can be digitally managed, allowing you to edit your plan, cancel it, or switch providers.
Furthermore, eSIM cards can be managed in bulk. For example, companies can purchase hundreds of plans for their employees and manage them from a remote location. You can completely switch to an eSIM or use it as your second card.
A minor downside compared to traditional SIM cards is that they can’t be easily swapped from one phone to another. However, some of the latest phones allow you to have up to a number of different eSIMs. For example, iPhone 14 and 15 support up to 8 eSIM profiles, two of which can be active at all times.
eSIM compared to Wi-Fi and data plans
Working in coffee shops and leveraging Wi-Fi is one of the most well-known scenarios in the lives of remote workers. However, we also know that Wi-Fi can often be unreliable or unsafe.
For example, you’ve decided to check out a new coffee shop to work on your latest project. Then two groups of five people all come to the coffee shop as well. Chances are that the business don’t have internet that’s fast enough to provide you with a streamlined work experience when the location is overcrowded.
Data plans are a better and more reliable alternative. They provide you with internet that’s fast, secure, and reliable, but they can be more expensive in certain situations. In rare scenarios, service can be unavailable if there aren’t transmitters close by.
The problems with both of these options are even more notable if you’re traveling to another country. There, you have to break a sweat until you find a place with proper Wi-Fi. Your other option is to get a roaming data plan from your provider.
Internet that’s a part of roaming data plans can be quite expensive and limited. It depends on your job, but 10 or 20 GB just won’t be enough for more than a workweek.
eSIM plans separate themselves by being both affordable and reliable. They are a tool for remote workers, just like a resume builder or ChatGPT. You can choose an eSIM provider that can help you avoid all the inconveniences that come from Wi-Fi and expensive data plans.
As a digital nomad or a remote worker, you’ll easily be able to work from a location of your choice without having to worry about security or speed.
Benefits of eSIM
After covering some of the key specifics of eSIM cards, let’s tackle the most important benefits that one can see for themselves.
Some benefits are more important than others, depending on your needs. However, features such as cybersecurity and reliability are advantageous to all users regardless of whether they use their phones for work or entertainment.
Fast traffic
While I was explaining some of the key features of eSIM, it’s obvious that there are dozens of advantages. However, when looking to subscribe to a data plan, internet speed can be a dealbreaker.
eSIM plans are likely some of the fastest in the industry, as the majority of them support 5G internet. Compared to Wi-Fi, where you can stumble upon locations that still don’t have optical internet, this is a major advantage.
Whether you’re writing, designing, or programming, fast traffic can improve your productivity and provide you with a more satisfying experience.
Cybersecurity
Not many people actually think about cybersecurity. We make weak passwords, leave our data wherever we’re asked to, and make accounts on suspicious websites. Of course, I don’t want to speak for all people, but this should motivate you to pay closer attention to your online security.
When you connect to a public Wi-Fi, there’s a high likelihood that it doesn’t use the latest security standards. Furthermore, some malicious individuals can hide behind the Wi-Fi and wait for someone who’ll leave information that can be exploited.
Remote workers who prefer working in public places can expose themselves to various cybersecurity risks. eSIM cards are a better alternative in terms of security, but data plans are also great.
Reliability
High-speed 4G and 5G internet is the current standard. With eSIM cards, you can have the fastest internet possible while being reliable. You can use messaging apps, make videos, or share the internet to your laptop and do your more complex tasks.
Customised pricing
Out of the three options mentioned throughout the article, Wi-Fi is the most affordable. In almost all places, you’ll be able to use it for free. But, there are significant downsides to Wi-Fi as I’ve discussed.
Data plans can range from being affordable to being extremely expensive. Furthermore, roaming data plans are known to be expensive, yet they offer only a limited amount of internet. eSIM plans are highly customisable.
You can receive an unlimited amount of data, and customise your plan in order to fit the timeframe you need it in. For example, if you’re traveling for 7 days, then you can purchase a plan that offers an unlimited amount for the time period. Subscribing to multiple eSIM plans is also possible.
Some eSIM plans don’t include a local phone number, which can be a downside for specific situations. However, roaming packages often include messages and calls, which you don’t often need as a remote worker. Since they focus more on data, you’ll receive better internet without the unnecessary aspects.
Additional features
eSIM is an emerging technology that’s yet to see widespread adoption. However, companies that offer these plans are often way ahead of traditional service providers. Their plans come with dozens of benefits.
For example, you can leverage their 24/7 customer support that’s aimed directly at helping you with your problems with a data plan or with implementing your eSIM.
eSIM is essential for remote workers and digital nomads
Of course, not all remote workers travel or need eSIM cards. But nonetheless, it’s a technology that can make your life more convenient as a digital specialist. Some of the benefits can be seen in our daily lives, while others are especially targeted toward tourists or businessmen.
There are obvious downsides that come from going from one coffee shop to another, and data plans can be problematic all the same. Just like smartphones aren’t designed to have an audio jack anymore, we might see phones without a SIM slot in the future.
So if you’re a tech lover, you should become an early embracer of this technology and see the benefits for yourself.
