eSIM for PAYG

[Kirigaya_Kazuto]

With the new iPhone 14 going SIM tray less in the U.S (the UK thankfully keeps the SIM tray) does this change the stance of carriers, like EE, Vodafone, o2 and Three. The fact they don't support eSIMS on PAYG, what does the community think to that? 

Personally I think it's ridiculous that PAYG isn't supported as eSIMS have now been around for 4/5 years now! Granted we will still need plastic sims for older phones that do not support eSIM, but phones that ONLY support eSIM seem to be coming fast, usually when Apple do something, the Android market follows 

[Christopher_G]

Hi @Kirigaya_Kazuto

Welcome to the community.

If anything changes we'll update our website and help pages. 

Chris

[Chris_B]

@Kirigaya_Kazuto  At present that’s not applicable to UK iPhones so nothing to worry about just yet.  

[JJay]

I agree. When Apple decide something they do move fast. I think US esim only iPhone 14 is kinda warning to rest of world, telling them hurry up get esim sorted out! Most network here don’t offer PAYG esim and I use EE PAYG bundle and unfortunately I am stuck with physical sim at moment. I agree is getting ridiculous that they taking so long and so slow update system use modern tech.

I hope EE (and rest of UK network) finally move esim option for all and not leave any out.

[vasisht]

Agreed. I live in the US and have a UK number for travel purposes. My choices are to cancel my EE account or not upgrade to any future iPhone.   

[Kirigaya_Kazuto]

I just don't understand the barriers, surely it's cheaper than printing a SIM that has to be in 3 different sizes and shipping the SIM card in the post to the customer? to do an eSIM (even if they need to send it in the post) it's less waste and less to go wrong too (in terms of the SIM becoming faulty)

[SgtPinback]

My wife and I in the same situation as you vasisht.  We're not going to go Pay Monthly, so it puts us in the situation of either moving away from EE or not upgrading.

The challenging thing, though, is that I'm not aware of *any* UK providers yet who support voice+data eSIMs on PAYG... there are plenty of data-only eSIMS but none I can find that give you a voice phone number.

Hopefully this will get sorted out as eSIM becomes more common, but it's a big hassle now...

[vasisht]

Agree - and there's no real reason for it other than corporate refusal to listen to the wants of its customers.  There's no technological barrier here.