We all want faster mobile internet, especially since many of us connect online on our smartphones. The good news? Local technology is catching up. For its part, DITO Telecommunity has been expanding its 5G standalone network infrastructure to deliver faster and lower-latency mobile internet to its subscribers.
As 5G continues to expand across the country, the number of users looking for simple, future-ready ways to access the network also increases. Initially, you, as a user, would want to own a 5G-ready phone and be in a 5G coverage area. But if you’re a more advanced, tech-savvy user, you would consider acquiring a 5G eSIM in the Philippines as well. Why choose an eSIM and what are the benefits? Read this article to learn more.
5G is the fifth generation of mobile cellular network technology that provides more powerful connectivity capabilities than its 4G and 3G predecessors. This new wireless network is ahead in terms of:
Ultra-Fast Speed. 5G networks deliver speeds of up to 10 GB per second, which is 10 times faster than 4G.
Low Latency. When on 5G, you can expect a delay of only one millisecond, which is lower than 4G’s 200 milliseconds.
High Bandwidth. 5G can operate on two bands (low band and mmWave), increasing capacity and allowing more devices to connect to the network.
Improved connectivity enabled by these 5G features will benefit the country and improve its ranking in Southeast Asia. We might be lagging behind now, but a solid, ever-expanding 5G network infrastructure will eventually deliver a mobile internet service reliable enough for our gaming, streaming, and communication needs.
Investing in 5G will also help enterprises and governments in their digital transformation efforts. If done well, these improvements will make transactions faster and more streamlined for customers, constituents, and all mobile users in the country.
Defined as a Subscriber Identity Module, a SIM card allows you to connect to a chosen mobile network and access its promos. Going by that logic, a 5G-ready eSIM in the Philippines is simply the digital version of a traditional SIM card, with the added advantage of accessing 5G-exclusive data offerings.
The eSIM itself doesn’t need any special features to access 5G. As long as you have a 5G-ready phone and you’re subscribed to a carrier that connects to a 5G network, you can activate your eSIM right away by scanning a QR code and setting up your device so it reads the SIM.
If you need assurance that your eSIM will work on 5G, you can try DITO’s SIMs and eSIMs. The telco connects to 5G standalone networks across the country and offers 5G data plans. If you go for the telco, you will only need to log in to the DITO App and buy a 5G promo. The following are some of the prepaid load options you can choose from:
Level-Up Packs - Tiered data promos combined with call and text allocations
Unli 5G - Unlimited data packs for 5G connectivity
Level-Up Socials - Social-media-centric plans
If you can access 5G networks with only a traditional SIM, then why switch to eSIM? There are plenty of reasons, and ones that should resonate with you if you value efficiency and flexibility:
Unlike with traditional SIM cards, buying an eSIM does not require you to purchase one from a retail outlet in person or receive a delivery. Instead, you will get a QR code; scan it and follow the on-screen instructions to activate it on your phone.
This convenience is most welcome when you need to use a new contact number while on the go. With a physical SIM, you needed to choose a secure place because you would need to pry your phone open and insert the card. Opting for an eSIM eliminates this type of hassle. What you only need with an eSIM is an internet connection, so you can complete the setup.
Another advantage of having an eSIM is its flexibility. So long as your phone has a built-in SIM, it can store multiple SIM profiles. This capability allows you to maintain separate lines for work and personal contacts, improving how you organize your time and lifestyle.
Additionally, the multiple eSIM profiles let you switch between plans or networks so they match what you need to do at the moment. For instance, you can switch to your DITO eSIM if you’re within a 5G coverage area to make the most of the network availability. Or you can deactivate your work eSIM and make your personal eSIM your primary line to ensure that you can make the most of your holiday.
If you’re keeping up with the latest gadget releases, you will know that current models are already eSIM-ready. Some brands, like Apple, even released models that are exclusively compatible with eSIM in the USA. Sure, in the Philippines, you can still use phones that house both a digital SIM and a physical SIM card. That said, opting for an eSIM now will make you more prepared for what’s ahead.
It’s also important to note that using 5G-ready eSIMs means you enjoy the best of both worlds: that is, you experience ease of activation and multiple SIM profiles, and you can access faster and lower latency mobile internet.
Major telecommunications providers in the Philippines now offer eSIMs and 5G connectivity, reflecting the growing demand for digital-first communication solutions and faster mobile internet. Of these major players, DITO’s eSIM stands out for the following:
The telco's 5G-first expansion efforts
Its affordable eSIM bundle price and extras
As you may have already noticed, DITO has a wide array of 5G-centric data load promos at multiple tiers, accommodating users of all budgets. Its eSIM offers, meanwhile, come in several bundles:
Prepaid eSIM Level-Up 99 - Comes with a bonus 9 GB of data, unlimited texts, and unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls valid for 15 days
This combination of offers makes DITO the best option if you are a tech-savvy user who wants to balance value and up-to-date technology when on mobile.
If you want your streaming or gaming to go smoothly, getting an eSIM with unlimited 5G data in the Philippines is the way to go. Combining eSIM and 5G with unlimited access to mobile data ensures that you can enjoy your phone use while never having to worry about your data running out.
That’s also why DITO is the right choice for you. With its eSIM, unlimited 5G data promo, and affordable prices, you will be subscribing to one of the fastest-growing telcos in the Philippines that promises a hopeful future for Filipino mobile connectivity.
Unlimited promos can be pricey, especially for data, but DITO offers its Unli 5G packs for as low as ₱299 for 7 days; not bad if you rely heavily on mobile data use!
Not every eSIM automatically provides access to 5G, because you only activate a SIM profile when you get your eSIM QR code. Nonetheless, all eSIMs can support 5G if you activate it on a 5G-ready mobile phone. Currently released devices support 5G, but do check the specs if you’re uncertain.
Additionally, an eSIM can support 5G if the mobile load you purchased connects to the network (like DITO’s Unli 5G promos). Note, though, that you can better use a 5G-ready eSIM within a coverage area.
All major carriers in the Philippines offer 5G-supporting eSIMs. That said, the 5G coverage itself varies by location, since infrastructure is still expanding. Urban areas tend to have stronger signals, while provincial regions may still rely on 4G or LTE.
Some eSIMs, like DITO’s, are capable of connecting to the best available network; when 5G is unavailable, you can settle on 4G instead to stay connected even while on the go.
Whether a 5G eSIM is better than a physical SIM for mobile data access depends on the network, your device, and your location. You may own a physical SIM card that can access 5G in a specific area, but that same SIM wouldn’t work in a non-coverage area due to the limitations of your current network. In contrast, you may have an eSIM that you can activate easily, but later find out that your phone doesn’t support 5G yet.
That said, in situations where 5G coverage and phone compatibility are not issues, an eSIM may be a better fit if you value speed, flexibility, and multiple profiles.
5G-ready eSIMs in the Philippines will continue to increase in popularity as more telcos put in the effort to set up 5G standalone infrastructure, and more people are looking for digital SIMs to replace their old physical SIM cards. If you’re opting for a 5G eSIM, know that you’re signing up to enjoy convenience, flexibility, and future-proof usability. Discover how exactly you can get all these benefits by switching to the DITO eSIM and subscribing to our sulit mobile data plans today!