South Africans can say goodbye to SIM cards for R800
South Africans with smartphones can buy an adapter to add support for embedded SIMs (eSIM) to cheaper or older devices that don’t support the technology.
eSIMs have grown in popularity in recent years, especially for frequent travellers seeking the most cost-effective way to get online while abroad.
Phones with eSIM support have a built-in programmable universal integrated circuit card (UICC) that can be configured for any mobile network that supports the device.
While a physical SIM card must be bought from a store, eSIMs can be downloaded and activated from a mobile app or website within minutes.
They are also less restrictive in terms of volume. The maximum number of physical SIM cards a user can have in their device at any given time is 2.
Popular eSIM-supporting models can hold multiple times that number of eSIMs. On iPhones, the minimum number is eight, while Samsung Galaxy models support between five and 20 eSIMs.
While only two of these can be active simultaneously, it is faster to activate a spare eSIM than to swap out physical SIM cards.
Having quick, easy access to multiple mobile networks or products can be immensely helpful in reducing service costs.
For example, one eSIM could have a plan with unlimited or low-cost calls, but high data prices. The second eSIM could have cheap data but expensive calls.
Smartphone operating systems allow users to specify which eSIM to use for data services and which to use for voice calls.
While this is also possible with a phone that supports dual physical SIMs, having access to more eSIMs from different networks can improve the connectivity experience.
All of South Africa’s major mobile cellular networks and many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) offer eSIM support.
While eSIM capability has gradually filtered down from flagship models to mid-range devices, it is uncommon on budget devices priced under R5,000, unless you shop in the used market.
eSIM adapters
For users who want eSIM support but don’t want to buy a new phone for it, several companies offer eSIM adapters that fit into standard SIM card slots.
One of the most well-known and best-priced providers is JMP, which sells an eSIM adapter for Android phones for $39.99 (R658).
JMP does not specifically limit the number of eSIM profiles that can be stored simultaneously on its adapter. The storage capacity of the chip is 420KB.
eSIM profile size can vary significantly between operators, but is typically around 20KB to 30KB. That means users should be able to keep at least 14 average-sized eSIM profiles on the adapter at once.
JMP provides an app on the Google Play Store that lets users double-check whether their phone will support its adapter before they buy it.
Shipping to South Africa is available via the Netherlands-based PostNL through an international delivery option with parcel tracking for $9.00 (R148).
Therefore, the total cost of JMP’s eSIM adapter, including delivery, will be about R809. One great advantage of JMP’s solution is that it does not force you to use its app to load eSIM profiles.
Users can add profiles via eSIM Manager for Linux Mobile or via a USB reader connected to a PC using tools such as Ipac and EasyLPAC.
An alternative is eSIM.me, which offers various adapter models with capacities ranging from 2 to 15 profiles and prices from $29.04 (R478) to $81.04 (R1,333).
Delivery is $58.14 for an Express Courier service. That amount excludes taxes and handling fees levied by the South African delivery partner.
eSIM.me adapter users are limited to the company’s app and data packages, which is a significant caveat.
It should also be noted that using an eSIM adapter has one major security disadvantage compared to built-in eSIM support.
One common tactic used to steal people’s money after taking their phone is to remove the physical SIM card and insert it into another device to take control of the number.
If the user has not set a PIN for the SIM, criminals can receive calls and SMS messages on the number, creating opportunities to perform account password resets or recoveries until the number is blocked.
The same weakness remains with an eSIM adapter, which can be physically removed from the device and inserted into another phone.
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