eSIM options

[charlieharper]

Spoke to my local MTN "salesperson" and he's advised that I can't get my existing number switched to an eSim and that I can only get eSim on a new number. Do you fine folks agree with him?

I've got a "work" phone on MTN and personal phone on Afrihost (which is also a MTN sim). Want to run dual sim in iPhone 13. Any recommendations on how to approach this?

Hmm.. wonder if it would've been possible to just port it over?

I'm also thinking about this, cause I plan on going abroad in October for a few months, would love to have my MTN as an e-sim so I can get SMS's (and f$@k companies that still uses SMS 2FA /OTP) and then just get a local sim card in the country.

 

[Spizz]

I'm going to Oz (Aus)

What issues did you have with the 2 above?

I used Truphone in Australia in May/June and it worked flawlessly everywhere (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney) and even out in the sticks in Victoria.

Also used it in UK in May and again all good.

 

[Spizz]

When possible I'll probably stick to buying local sims in future

Is that not a pain in the butt with the physical sim having to replace your SA sim? I reckon it's just so convenient to have the eSim activated for travel that any additional costs are worth it so you can have your SA sim in the nano slot and not have to mess about with WhatsApp etc. Especially in Europe/Aus/US etc where Truphone already has pretty reasonable rates.

One thing I did notice though was that I could not use Truphone as a WiFi hotspot for VoWiFi calling from the SA sim. I did that before in Myanmar and calling home was just a local call using up my minutes bundle from Vodacom.

 

[bwana]

Is that not a pain in the butt with the physical sim having to replace your SA sim?

No - I have one of those flat apple "paperclip" things in my case

not have to mess about with WhatsApp etc.

Mess about with?

One thing I did notice though was that I could not use Truphone as a WiFi hotspot for VoWiFi calling from the SA sim.

MTN doesn't offer that on the iphone.

Anyway - I'd rather be able to make/receive local calls when abroad which these eSim operators don't seem to offer where I travel to.

 

[Spizz]

No - I have one of those flat apple "paperclip" things in my case

Lol, I don't mean the physical act, I mean swapping out a sim card for a local one and not having your regular SA sim card in the phone as well.

Mess about with?

As above, just seems far more convenient setting the eSim to data for staying in touch via email and Whatsapp etc, and still having your SA nano sim operating as usual for incoming calls and sms.

MTN doesn't offer that on the iphone.

Anyway - I'd rather be able to make/receive local calls when abroad which these eSim operators don't seem to offer where I travel to.

Fair enough. Different user cases I guess. I hardly need to make a traditional phone call when I travel and am used to WhatsApp as everyone seems to have it and it has pretty much replaced phone calls for my colleagues.

Of course ideal would be iPhone having a dual nano sim, but even with access to that I think for me I'd still prefer the eSim for travel unless I was staying in country for a couple of months or more.

 

[bwana]

Fair enough. Different user cases I guess. I hardly need to make a traditional phone call when I travel and am used to WhatsApp as everyone seems to have it and it has pretty much replaced phone calls for my colleagues.

Some of the places I go traditional calls are the only way to contact people and I still have the option of being contactable via Whatsapp, FaceTime, whatever, via the local networks whose rates are cheaper than the eSim companies. I'm not ruling out esim - it's handy, but it's not always reliable.

 

[BBC]

I used Truphone in Australia in May/June and it worked flawlessly everywhere (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney) and even out in the sticks in Victoria.

Also used it in UK in May and again all good.

they seem expensive AF

 

[ebendl]

I prefer Ubigi - rates are cheaper. But then I only typically go for shorter 2 week sprints and typically to Europe, so I don't have to buy the global options.

I love the eSim approach - I'm sure I can get a cheaper SIM locally but trying to find them, buy them, activate them and keep them alive is sometimes painfully difficult.

 

[Spizz]

they seem expensive AF

You think??? 18 euros for 20 gigs for 30 days in Australia is about R300. UK was 16 euros so even less.

Dude, I'm not sure where you get your data but please forward details.

 

[BBC]

You think??? 18 euros for 20 gigs for 30 days in Australia is about R300. UK was 16 euros so even less.

Dude, I'm not sure where you get your data but please forward details.

see screenshot of Vodaphone offer posted earlier

 

[Spizz]

see screenshot of Vodaphone offer posted earlier

Fair enough if it's on a special offer. But even then it's still about R170 odd so I think I'd rather pay the extra for the eSim convenience to be honest. But sure, looks like a good deal otherwise

 

[MikeCTZA]

Got this email from DENT recently, sucks a bit but hey ...

What’s next for DENT eSIM Bonus Data?

We love being able to share data with our customers to show off DENT’s eSIM-powered global mobile network.

DENT’s eSIM connectivity has given people worldwide the awesome experience of a fully digital and global mobile data experience. In order to respond to the growth we see on the platform, we have made the decision that all DENT Bonus Data will now have a validity of 7 days. All DENT Bonus Data received in the past year will have a validity period of 7 days on 28.11.2022 . Please remember to use up any of your bonus data prior to 05.12.2022.

Any purchased DENT eSIM Data will continue to include 365 days of validity following purchase.

Over the past year alone, DENT has added 10 new countries to its worldwide service offering. Now DENT users traveling to or living in Qatar, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and more will be able to connect to DENT’s high-speed mobile service.

Going forward, there will continue to be cool and exciting ways to earn free DENT eSIM Data, from referrals, promotions, or giveaways. Be sure to check in on DENT’s Twitter @dentcoin for all of the latest news and updates from the DENT Universe.

Thank you for being a part of the DENT project and we hope you are looking forward to DENT’s continued development in 2023.

 

[William1102]

Got this email from DENT recently, sucks a bit but hey ...

How would you rate DENT , price , service , reliability

Looking to use an eSim in December so want to find out what works best (Apple use )

Edit : seems DENT won’t work for me this year going to UAE and Dent doesn’t include the country

 

[MikeCTZA]

How would you rate DENT , price , service , reliability

Looking to use an eSim in December so want to find out what works best (Apple use )

OK so ... I've not spent a single cent on DENT, and used it all of 2022, even roamed with it in Europe. Data cost ... seems OK (maybe tad expensive 1GB for $9.99) but the plus side ... the 365 day validity. I'm a light data user. Service has been great, maybe 4 times so far I've had issues then had to reset the profile then came right. Reliability - guess much the same as service, it has worked flawlessly and speed has been good. I've only once had to contact their support back when I started which was smooth enough.
I currently have over 24GB of free data that is currently valid for good half year which will drop to 7 days next week, which sucks that I'll loose so much data, oh well - not like I paid for it. If you ever wanna try it out yell for a referral link to get more free data than normal when you join (which is free).

 

[William1102]

OK so ... I've not spent a single cent on DENT, and used it all of 2022, even roamed with it in Europe. Data cost ... seems OK (maybe tad expensive 1GB for $9.99) but the plus side ... the 365 day validity. I'm a light data user. Service has been great, maybe 4 times so far I've had issues then had to reset the profile then came right. Reliability - guess much the same as service, it has worked flawlessly and speed has been good. I've only once had to contact their support back when I started which was smooth enough.
I currently have over 24GB of free data that is currently valid for good half year which will drop to 7 days next week, which sucks that I'll loose so much data, oh well - not like I paid for it. If you ever wanna try it out yell for a referral link to get more free data than normal when you join (which is free).

Tried it out now had some free data but struggled to connect in SA and when it did there was no data throughput also gave up on DENT as needed it for the UAE and they don’t service that country

Any Other service that does work in UAE (Dubai)

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

My gripe with DENT is that all their traffic breaks out in Europe. So using it locally, the latency is a little high. It's mostly fine but things like VOIP calls don't work well.

 

[Spizz]

Tried it out now had some free data but struggled to connect in SA and when it did there was no data throughput also gave up on DENT as needed it for the UAE and they don’t service that country

Any Other service that does work in UAE (Dubai)

Have you tried Truphone? I’m using them right now in Finland and have also used in Australia and UK and they work well. I just looked at the app and they cover UAE.

One tip, because you need Wi-Fi to activate Truphone on their app, purchase and activate before you leave SA then switch the eSim off. When you get to destination just switch eSim back on set to mobile data and it’s working straight away as it’s already activated.

 

[William1102]

Have you tried Truphone? I’m using them right now in Finland and have also used in Australia and UK and they work well. I just looked at the app and they cover UAE.

One tip, because you need Wi-Fi to activate Truphone on their app, purchase and activate before you leave SA then switch the eSim off. When you get to destination just switch eSim back on set to mobile data and it’s working straight away as it’s already activated.

I will try truphone

Edit : pricing is crazy expensive for UAE , 1GB for 1 day @ €8

Guess that’s out

 

[Spizz]

I will try truphone

Edit : pricing is crazy expensive for UAE , 1GB for 1 day @ €8

Guess that’s out

But that’s consistent. I just checked Airalo for wxample and their eSim works out at €8.19 for 1GB for 7 days.

 

[William1102]

But that’s consistent. I just checked Airalo for wxample and their eSim works out at €8.19 for 1GB for 7 days.

Damn never thought I’d say this but Vodacom roaming actually works on cheaper 1GB 7 days @ R99