Global business opportunities and get-away-from-it-all holidays make international travel an ever-tempting possibility. To make your travel experience seamless, you want to be able to use your smartphone or mobile device to manage your money and your travel admin throughout your journey. And, of course, you want to stay in touch with the world, your life back home, and what’s happening at your destination. We do so much on our devices that we need them to work everywhere.

Until now, this added an extra chore to travelling the world. Every time you arrived in a new country, you’d have to buy a new SIM card compatible with that region’s service providers and their networks and swap the card in your device. Then you’d have to buy data to use those networks.

That chore is a thing of the past, thanks to eSIMs. They eliminate the hassle of physical SIM card swaps, and they’re easy to set up on any mobile digital device with eSIM capability. (Some older devices can’t support eSIMs – which might be all the motivation you need to upgrade your phone before your next trip.)

What is an eSIM?

We’re all familiar with the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card – a small physical card that you insert in your phone. Each SIM card is linked to a specific service provider or network, so if you want to change service providers or data plans, you usually need to get a new physical card and swap them.

An eSIM (the ‘e’ stands for ‘embedded’) is a digital SIM that is built into your device. It’s like a digital ID for your phone. This means that you don’t have to handle a physical card or go to a store to switch your mobile plan. You can change service providers or plans by using your phone’s settings, either scanning a special code or choosing from a menu. This is especially useful for devices like smartwatches or phones that don’t have a slot for a physical SIM card.

How does an eSIM work?

eSIM technology works similarly to traditional SIM cards. The difference is that the information about your mobile plan is stored digitally on your device. You can choose different packages, depending on how long you need the eSIM to remain active, and you can top up your data when it runs low.
 

Your eSIM is designed for data usage, so it doesn’t support traditional voice calls. However, with popular apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, and other Voice Over Internet Protocol services, you can make voice calls using data. You can still make traditional voice calls using Voice Over Wifi or Voice Over Mobile through your regular cellular provider.

Streamline your mobile banking with eSIMs for seamless global access

Travelling abroad involves managing your finances, making payments and transferring money. With eSIMs, you can access all your digital banking services without interruption. Whether you need to check your account balance and investments, pay bills or transfer funds, your eSIM ensures that you’re always connected and in control.

You don’t have to hunt for local SIM cards or struggle with complicated setups. This technology makes money management easier no matter where you go, so you can concentrate on enjoying your trip to the fullest.

We also offer the convenience of multi-country eSIM packages, perfect if you’re exploring multiple destinations in a single trip. Each time you enter a new country, the eSIM will connect effortlessly to a local network, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity wherever your journey takes you.

Travel smart with eSIMs

Setting up your eSIM is a quick and easy process. Simply follow these steps:

1. Start by visiting the eSIM store.

2. Choose the country or region you plan to travel to.

3. Pick the data package that best suits your needs. As a Nedbank client, you qualify for a 15% sign-up discount. Use the promo code 'NEDBANK' at checkout.

4. Proceed to check out and make your payment securely using your credit card or instant EFT.

5. You’ll receive a QR code along with clear installation instructions.

6. Use your device’s camera to scan the provided QR code and follow the installation instructions.

7. Your eSIM will be set to active, with roaming turned on, ensuring you’re ready to go.

8. Your eSIM will become fully active once you’re in the region it’s intended for.

If you need any help or have questions during the process, chat to the dedicated support desk.

To ensure a smooth setup process, we recommend installing and activating your eSIM just before your departure. Installation requires an internet connection, so it’s best to do this while you’re still at home or in a location with reliable internet access. However, we understand that plans can change, and flexibility is key when you’re travelling. That’s why you can also wait until you arrive in the country to activate your eSIM using wifi.

Once your eSIM is installed, you have the ultimate control, and you can turn it off whenever you like. Your chosen package is activated only when you use your eSIM in eligible regions, so you’ll pay only for what you use.