Digitalization is everywhere: hard drives are moving to cloud storage, manually-driven cars are becoming self-driving vehicles, and physical SIM cards are transforming into digital SIMs.
When you have a new phone, you might have wondered what the eSIM (or digital SIM) support is all about. You may also have asked yourself: Do you need it as much as cloud storage, or can you ignore it for now, like you would self-driving cars? To determine whether an eSIM is right for you, read this guide by DITO Telecommunity.
Before making any decisions, you need to know: what does “eSIM” even mean? Well, it’s pretty literal: eSIM is short for embedded SIM, and is called that way because this type of Subscriber Identity Module is soldered into a device’s motherboard. It’s unlike a traditional, physical SIM card that you can buy separately and then insert into a SIM tray.
But while the SIM is embedded, the phone is not automatically subscribed to a network carrier. Rather, you’ll need to purchase an eSIM from your chosen provider and activate the eSIM. We’ll talk more about how in the next section.
Knowing what an eSIM is naturally leads to another question: how does it work? You can better understand the technology if your phone supports eSIMs. But to give you an idea, here are the steps to purchase and activate a digital SIM profile:
While eSIMs work much like traditional SIMs, the activation process makes them starkly different yet convenient. Moreover, a digital SIM allows you to use multiple SIM profiles using only a single chip, which is not possible with physical SIM cards.
We know, digital SIMs are wonderful. But before you jump onto the bandwagon, you should learn what phones support eSIMs.
As a general rule, devices manufactured from 2018 onwards likely come with eSIM support, but to be sure, these are some brands and models to buy to ensure you can use a digital SIM profile:
If your phone is not listed here, you can check your manufacturer’s specifications page to confirm eSIM compatibility.
Now that you know what an eSIM (digital SIM) is and how it works, the next question is: Do you actually need it? We believe you do if you’re like any of the following users:
Travelers who visit other countries have long relied on data roaming to stay connected, but eSIMs have been changing that practice. When you use a digital SIM that is compatible with the region you’re in, you get to buy local data promos, which are more affordable than when your original provider bills roaming charges. The fact that you don’t need to fumble with a teeny tiny card upon setting foot on a foreign land is also convenient — just activate the eSIM at the airport upon arrival, and you’re ready to go!
While data roaming can indeed help you keep in touch with your loved ones back home when you’re abroad, using an eSIM can be much more affordable. The savings you will incur will also be more substantial if you tend to call your loved ones regularly. Using an eSIM when visiting a family abroad is also beneficial, as it helps you buy local plans and contact them upon your arrival.
Employees who use only one phone can use eSIMs to separate their work and personal contact numbers. The ease of switching between networks also removes the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards. Because you can easily switch networks, you can also set solid boundaries when you’re out of working hours.
If you’re an employer and need to contact your team on their phones, especially for fieldwork, you can give them an eSIM as a work contact. That way, you don’t need to spend on providing them with devices. Moreover, you give your employees the freedom to disconnect after hours.
Generally, an eSIM is perfect for switching between networks without swapping physical SIM cards. This feature is most useful if you’re the type who wants to maximize your data plan based on your specific needs. Moreover, you can switch easily when one network is out of load.
If you’re looking for a fast and reliable network, look no further than DITO and our eSIM offer! For just ₱99, you get 9 GB of data, unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls, and 150 minutes of calls to other networks. The prepaid eSIM also gives you access to a wide range of prepaid plans that you can use to stay connected, no matter your budget. Get the eSIM from the eShop now!
Now that you know what an eSIM or digital SIM is, you can better judge whether you need one for your connectivity needs. Return to this guide to ensure that you have the correct device and use case to make the most out of this technology. Visit the DITO eShop to learn more about our eSIM offer, and get a chance to buy the digital SIM at a discounted price!