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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telcos dial up international roaming perks to take on eSIM companies
NEW DELHI: As the holiday season bumps up foreign travel, the country's telecom operators are enhancing their international roaming services to ward off competition from affordable eSIM the last year or so, flexible plans for international travellers had helped telecom operators corner the market, pushing players like Matrix to the periphery. But now, they face a growing threat from low-cost travel eSIM providers, which are offering similar services at lower a typical telco plan might cost ₹3,000-5,000 for 7-10 days of validity with limited data, eSIM providers such as Saily, Jetpac and Matrix offer data-only plans for less than half that rate, said industry executives and analysts. The companies did not immediately respond to ET's emails seeking comments. Analysts, however, point to the low penetration of eSIMs in India as a challenge for the low-fee service providers. Nevertheless, telecom operators are sweetening their offerings in a bid to keep their higher revenue generating subscribers from opting for the services of low-cost travel eSIM providers. Indians travelling abroad have generally been using a basic telecom plan, primarily for receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) that are needed for financial transactions, and supplementing it with a travel eSIM or local physical SIM for data, said Siddhant Cally, research analyst at Counterpoint Research. Over the last one month or so, both Airtel and Vodafone Idea have come out with upgraded international roaming plans, with enhanced data benefits, flexible activation, seamless coverage across countries, and longer validity in a bid to shore up benefits to premium customers travelling abroad. 'Telcos are increasing their focus on international roaming plans, despite it not being a very high-revenue contributing business segment,' said Balaji Subramanian, analyst at IIFL Securities . 'Any additional revenue, even if a small percentage (estimated potentially at 1-1.5% of mobile revenue, or ₹1,000-1500 crore annually), is welcome.' He said offering attractively priced roaming plans is viewed as a very effective tool to improve customer stickiness and reduce churn, especially among higher average revenue per user (ARPU) customers who travel abroad frequently. Meeting the needs of higher-segment customers who travel abroad enhances their overall experience with the network, Subramanian said. Earlier, top telecom executives such as Bharti Airtel managing director and chief executive Gopal Vittal had highlighted international roaming as strategically important for retaining high-value customers and differentiating the company's offerings in a competitive market, despite being a relatively small contributor to overall revenues. International travel by Indians has rebounded sharply since the pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, outbound departures rose to 30.2 million, up 8% from 2023, which had recorded a 29% year-on-year jump, according to a Thomas Cook report. The previous peak was 26.9 million in 2019. Globally, foreign travellers spend $12-20 per trip on travel eSIMs, Counterpoint Research said. Providers of eSIMs typically operate as light MVNOs (mobile virtual network operator), which purchase connectivity in bulk from roaming aggregators, offering predominantly data-only plans, often excluding SMS or voice services, which keep costs low. But for now, telcos are hoping to take advantage of the low penetration of eSIMs in India. The eSIM feature is primarily available in high-end smartphones. Analysts estimate that 10-15% of the total smartphone installed base are eSIM-capable. Awareness regarding eSIMs, too, is significantly low in India. 'The market is expected to grow in India, especially as awareness increases and the ecosystem develops, given India's price-sensitive nature,' said Cally. 'Awareness is being built through targeted digital marketing on platforms like social media. Future marketing channels could include partnerships with airlines, visa offices, and hotel booking platforms.' Savvy international travellers are discovering dozens of such providers through aggregator marketplaces like Mobimatter. These services have increasingly become easier to use, with global coverage, app-based management, and support for multiple operators in foreign countries.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Telcos dial up international roaming perks to take on eSIM companies
As the holiday season bumps up foreign travel, the country's telecom operators are enhancing their international roaming services to ward off competition from affordable eSIM the last year or so, flexible plans for international travellers had helped telecom operators corner the market, pushing players like Matrix to the periphery. But now, they face a growing threat from low-cost travel eSIM providers, which are offering similar services at lower a typical telco plan might cost ₹3,000-5,000 for 7-10 days of validity with limited data, eSIM providers such as Saily, Jetpac and Matrix offer data-only plans for less than half that rate, said industry executives and companies did not immediately respond to ET's emails seeking comments. Analysts, however, point to the low penetration of eSIMs in India as a challenge for the low-fee service providers. Nevertheless, telecom operators are sweetening their offerings in a bid to keep their higher revenue generating subscribers from opting for the services of low-cost travel eSIM providers. Indians travelling abroad have generally been using a basic telecom plan, primarily for receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) that are needed for financial transactions, and supplementing it with a travel eSIM or local physical SIM for data, said Siddhant Cally, research analyst at Counterpoint Research. Over the last one month or so, both Airtel and Vodafone Idea have come out with upgraded international roaming plans, with enhanced data benefits, flexible activation, seamless coverage across countries, and longer validity in a bid to shore up benefits to premium customers travelling abroad. "Telcos are increasing their focus on international roaming plans, despite it not being a very high-revenue contributing business segment," said Balaji Subramanian, analyst at IIFL Securities. "Any additional revenue, even if a small percentage (estimated potentially at 1-1.5% of mobile revenue, or ₹1,000-1500 crore annually), is welcome." He said offering attractively priced roaming plans is viewed as a very effective tool to improve customer stickiness and reduce churn, especially among higher average revenue per user (ARPU) customers who travel abroad frequently. Meeting the needs of higher-segment customers who travel abroad enhances their overall experience with the network, Subramanian top telecom executives such as Bharti Airtel managing director and chief executive Gopal Vittal had highlighted international roaming as strategically important for retaining high-value customers and differentiating the company's offerings in a competitive market, despite being a relatively small contributor to overall travel by Indians has rebounded sharply since the pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, outbound departures rose to 30.2 million, up 8% from 2023, which had recorded a 29% year-on-year jump, according to a Thomas Cook report. The previous peak was 26.9 million in foreign travellers spend $12-20 per trip on travel eSIMs, Counterpoint Research of eSIMs typically operate as light MVNOs (mobile virtual network operator), which purchase connectivity in bulk from roaming aggregators, offering predominantly data-only plans, often excluding SMS or voice services, which keep costs low.
The Age
15-05-2025
- The Age
Your questions: Is an eSIM the best option for roaming overseas?
We are a couple in our 60s doing a 15-day tour of Egypt and Jordan in September, followed by Greece before another 15-day tour of Turkey. Is an eSIM the best way to go? We both have Samsung S22 phones, with Optus and Telstra. Neither of us are very tech savvy. M. Johnson, Loftus, NSW Provided your phones are unlocked, eSIMs are the way to go, but they can be fiddly. Here's how you can try it out before leaving home, just to see if this is going to be a good option. Jetpac has a special deal on one of its Asia/Pacific eSIMS, just $US1 for 1Gb of data. This eSIM works in Australia. Download the Jetpac app, buy this eSIM and activate it. This is a step-by-step process detailed in the app and it's straightforward. If you have difficulty, there are videos on YouTube, or else get a teenage grandchild/nephew/neighbour to help you out. Jetpac's customer assistance is also very helpful. To see if it's working, turn off your Optus/Telstra SIM and your home Wi-Fi and use some of your phone apps to see if you still have a data connection. If all is well, you could then purchase a Jetpac Global eSIM which will give you data in Egypt, Greece and Turkey, but not Jordan. Airalo is one of the few eSIM providers that offers service in Jordan but its products are generally more expensive than Jetpac's. I called our credit card company, Qantas Platinum, to confirm travel insurance for an upcoming trip. Our flights were booked with airline points and all I paid on the credit card were the taxes of about $1000 per ticket. The call centre operator seemed to be saying that we wouldn't be covered because our tickets were not totally paid for by the credit card. Have you had this experience? A. Patterson, Gladesville, NSW A call to Chubb, the underwriter for Qantas Premier Credit Card Complimentary Travel Insurance, confirmed that despite paying for only the taxes and charges with your card, this would be sufficient to activate the free travel insurance cover. According to the product disclosure statement for this card, one of the eligibility criteria is: 'by charging the payment to your Qantas Premier Credit Card and/or using Qantas points on the Qantas Premier Credit Card'. The same conditions apply if you pay only the taxes and charges component of an airfare using some other cards, for example an American Express credit card. My husband and I are looking for a cruise around New Zealand that won't involve more than one Australian port. Does such a cruise exist or are we better off flying to NZ and driving ourselves around? R. Robbins, Hawthorn, Vic Holland America Line has a 14-day New Zealand Cruise departing Sydney on December 7, 2025 and calling in at Milford Sound followed by a succession of port calls along the east coast of the South Island followed by the North Island. After visiting Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands, the vessel re-crosses the Tasman Sea to Sydney. The ship is the Noordam, a moderate-size cruise vessel that can accommodate close to 2000 passengers. As with most ships in the Holland America fleet, the Noordam is known for its intimate feel, quiet spaces, educational programs and its high-quality food. Prices start from $3419 a person. Celebrity Cruises has a 12-night New Zealand cruise that follows a similar itinerary but with fewer port visits, also departing from and returning to Sydney, from $2584 a person. The first of six sailings is November 18, 2025. The vessel is the Celebrity Edge, rated a five-star cruise ship due to its long list of onboard facilities that appeal to those who like plenty of action. It is capable of carrying 2900 passengers. Self-drive holidays are a great way to see New Zealand. They require more work and research than a cruise, but the flexibility to go when and where you like is what makes self-drive the holiday of choice for many Australian travellers.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Your questions: Is an eSIM the best option for roaming overseas?
We are a couple in our 60s doing a 15-day tour of Egypt and Jordan in September, followed by Greece before another 15-day tour of Turkey. Is an eSIM the best way to go? We both have Samsung S22 phones, with Optus and Telstra. Neither of us are very tech savvy. M. Johnson, Loftus, NSW Provided your phones are unlocked, eSIMs are the way to go, but they can be fiddly. Here's how you can try it out before leaving home, just to see if this is going to be a good option. Jetpac has a special deal on one of its Asia/Pacific eSIMS, just $US1 for 1Gb of data. This eSIM works in Australia. Download the Jetpac app, buy this eSIM and activate it. This is a step-by-step process detailed in the app and it's straightforward. If you have difficulty, there are videos on YouTube, or else get a teenage grandchild/nephew/neighbour to help you out. Jetpac's customer assistance is also very helpful. To see if it's working, turn off your Optus/Telstra SIM and your home Wi-Fi and use some of your phone apps to see if you still have a data connection. If all is well, you could then purchase a Jetpac Global eSIM which will give you data in Egypt, Greece and Turkey, but not Jordan. Airalo is one of the few eSIM providers that offers service in Jordan but its products are generally more expensive than Jetpac's. I called our credit card company, Qantas Platinum, to confirm travel insurance for an upcoming trip. Our flights were booked with airline points and all I paid on the credit card were the taxes of about $1000 per ticket. The call centre operator seemed to be saying that we wouldn't be covered because our tickets were not totally paid for by the credit card. Have you had this experience? A. Patterson, Gladesville, NSW A call to Chubb, the underwriter for Qantas Premier Credit Card Complimentary Travel Insurance, confirmed that despite paying for only the taxes and charges with your card, this would be sufficient to activate the free travel insurance cover. According to the product disclosure statement for this card, one of the eligibility criteria is: 'by charging the payment to your Qantas Premier Credit Card and/or using Qantas points on the Qantas Premier Credit Card'. The same conditions apply if you pay only the taxes and charges component of an airfare using some other cards, for example an American Express credit card. My husband and I are looking for a cruise around New Zealand that won't involve more than one Australian port. Does such a cruise exist or are we better off flying to NZ and driving ourselves around? R. Robbins, Hawthorn, Vic Holland America Line has a 14-day New Zealand Cruise departing Sydney on December 7, 2025 and calling in at Milford Sound followed by a succession of port calls along the east coast of the South Island followed by the North Island. After visiting Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands, the vessel re-crosses the Tasman Sea to Sydney. The ship is the Noordam, a moderate-size cruise vessel that can accommodate close to 2000 passengers. As with most ships in the Holland America fleet, the Noordam is known for its intimate feel, quiet spaces, educational programs and its high-quality food. Prices start from $3419 a person. Celebrity Cruises has a 12-night New Zealand cruise that follows a similar itinerary but with fewer port visits, also departing from and returning to Sydney, from $2584 a person. The first of six sailings is November 18, 2025. The vessel is the Celebrity Edge, rated a five-star cruise ship due to its long list of onboard facilities that appeal to those who like plenty of action. It is capable of carrying 2900 passengers. Self-drive holidays are a great way to see New Zealand. They require more work and research than a cruise, but the flexibility to go when and where you like is what makes self-drive the holiday of choice for many Australian travellers.
NDTV
08-05-2025
- NDTV
Heading To Japan? Must-Know Dos and Don'ts For First-Time Travellers
Japan's charm doubles during the spring season. Every street and corner lights up with vibrant cherry blossoms, also known as sakura. It feels as if the country is bathing in a sea of pink and white. Besides this natural wonder, the Land of the Rising Sun also draws keen travellers for its rich cultural heritage and iconic landmarks like the secret gardens of Nara, Tokyo's revered Senso-ji Temple, Kyoto's ancient temples, and the majestic Mount Fuji. If a Japan getaway is on your mind, remember these travel guidelines, as the country maintains strict etiquette. Here Are 5 Dos In Japan: 1. Do Get Internet Access ASAP You need an active internet connection to navigate the train systems in Japan. Physical SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi are things of the past in this tech-savvy country. So, soon after landing in Japan, get hold of Jetpac's EPIC Japan packs, which will not only help you navigate but also allow you to stay in touch with family and friends and post all your holiday snaps. 2. Do Return Empty Trays And Clean After Yourself Japan is known for its cleanliness, and this cultural norm extends to dining etiquette. Once you finish eating at a restaurant or a fast food joint, it's an unspoken rule to return the tray to a designated area. Remember not to leave dirty plates on the table and dispose of any trash properly. 3. Do Learn Basic Japanese Phrases Although many people might speak English in big cities, some local neighborhoods may have fewer English speakers. Simple phrases like "Hello" (Konnichiwa), "Thank you" (Arigatou), and "Excuse Me" (Sumimasen) can help you connect with the locals, understand their culture, and make a positive impression, turning your vacation into a joyful experience. 4. Do Use Public Transport Public transport in Japan is a whole different world. Trains, buses, and subways are extremely punctual, clean, and easily accessible. The stations are equipped with maps and signboards written in both Japanese and English for easier navigation. Additionally, public transport is super affordable compared to taxis or car rentals. 5. Do Maintain Silence On Bullet Trains Bullet trains are known for their serene and calm environment. As a traveler, you must maintain decorum while riding on them. Speak softly, avoid loud discussions or raising your voice, and refrain from making phone calls. Trust us, the peace you'll feel during the journey will definitely enhance your experience. Here Are 5 Don'ts in Japan: 1. Don't Stand On The Wrong Side Of The Elevator In Japan, elevator etiquette changes according to the city you are in. For example, in Tokyo, you must stand on the left side, whereas cities like Osaka and Kyoto demand that you stand on the right side. Pro tip: If you're confused, simply follow the locals. 2. Don't Use Yellow Currency Exchange Booths When opting for currency exchange, never withdraw cash from the traditional yellow currency exchange booths. They charge a huge sum of money that can empty your pockets quickly. Instead, always rely on ATMs found at convenience stores to withdraw cash. They are easier to operate, open 24/7, and offer better rates. 3. Don't Walk Around Smoking And Eating As part of Japanese conduct, it is considered impolite and disrespectful to smoke and eat in public places, especially while walking. Instead, enjoy your meal at designated areas and have a puff at train stations, bus stands, or parks. 4. Don't Harass Sacred Deer In Nara Deer roam freely in the streets, parks, and temples in the Japanese city of Nara. These sacred animals are considered to be the messengers of God. So, if you encounter a deer on your way, don't tease them, as they are protected by law. Approach them with respect and feed them only the crackers provided for that purpose. 5. Don't Tip Service Staff In many Western countries, tipping service staff is perceived as a sign of good service, but not in Japan. Offering monetary tips to attendants is considered rude. The country swears by hospitality, known as omotenashi, which ensures customers receive the best service without the need for additional monetary rewards. Now that you're aware of the dos and don'ts of visiting Japan, we hope you'll be better prepared for your first trip.
