Travelling with your smartphone just got a lot easier and cheaper with the launch of new roaming unlimited data plans from Australian international provider Simify.
International travel has now exceeded pre-COVID levels with Australians going overseas 11.6 million times in 2024 according to ABS figures.
And Australians want to take their smartphones with them to stay connected, use their apps, their maps, share images and videos on social media and call their families at home.
In fact, Australian travellers are using more data than ever.
At the same time, customers are also embracing the convenience and flexibility of eSIMS. An eSIM is a built-in chip on more recent smartphones that can be registered with your account and identify you on the network in the same way a physical SIM does.
Without the need for a physical SIM card it makes it easier to activate their plan when they arrive at their destination.
“eSIMs are a game-changer for travellers, offering the best of both worlds,” says Simify co-founder Aidan Butler.
“Rather than switching phone numbers, you can use a travel eSIM for unlimited roaming data from the likes of Simify, all while keeping your home number active for things like receiving verification codes from your bank.”
Previously travellers who wanted to use their smartphones overseas had to juggle physical SIMs – taking out their card and replacing with a travel SIM.
The other choice was paying for a roaming pack from your Australian telcos which have high daily prices and limited data allowances.
“Whether they’re sharing their travel experiences in real time, or catching up on live sport from back home, mobile data has become as essential to modern travellers as their passport,” Butler says
“You shouldn’t have to use your smartphone like a dumbphone when you’re overseas, just because you’re terrified of chewing through your measly data cap.”
Simify is the new name for the rebranded company SimsDirect and offers coverage in more than 150 countries and unlimited data on your trip for up to 90 days.
Simify international roaming eSIMs can be purchased up to six months in advance with access to 4G and 5G networks for up to 90 days in more than 150 countries.
eSIMs can be delivered and accessed instantly by simply scanning a QR code.
Customers who take up the eSIM plans can leave their Australian SIM cards in their smartphones – they can simply turn off data roaming for that number while their eSIM can access data overseas.
This way customers can still use popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and receive two factor authentication text messages.
Prices starts at $44 for unlimited data for seven days, $67 for 15 days, $85 for 21 days, $99 for 30 days, $139 for 45 days, $179 for 60 days and $249 for 90 days.
iPhones dating back to the iPhone XR have eSIM computability as have five year old Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy A devices and Google Pixel smartphones back to the Pixel 2a.
Devices from Motorola, Nokia and Oppo also have eSIMs onboard.
A full list of devices with eSIM compatibility can be found at the Simify website.
