Latest news with #Saily
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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telcos dial up international roaming perks to take on eSIM companies
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel 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 providers Over 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 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.
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.
Gizmodo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
70% Off NordVPN + Free 10GB eSIM — Travel Protected!
Many people associate VPNs with privacy, but that's only partially true. In the case of NordVPN, you get more than boring online privacy and security. Get ready for a dose of dopamine with some free eSIM data! NordVPN has been on the run with recent brain-melting discounts. This one, however, is another beast. At up to 76% off for 24-month plans, NordVPN sneaks in up to 10 GB of free eSIM data. See Offers at NordVPN NordVPN + Free eSIM Data Explained This VPN offers a vibrant palette of plans. However, only 24-month plans are these 'bundles' that include free eSIM for our fellow travelers. The Basic plan, which is more than sufficient for most people, comes with 1 GB eSIM from Saily. The plan is only $3.39/mo (70% off), which is under $81.5 for 24 months. Then, there's the Plus plan (70% off) at a meager $4.39/mo with ad-blocking, malware protection, and a neat little NordPass password manager. This plan comes with a 5GB eSIM. Are you feeling a tad more ambitious? Then embrace the greatness of the Complete plan, also at 70% off and $5.39/mo. It's the star of the show, with a whopping 10 GB of eSIM data and NordLocker 1 TB on top of everything. It's a force to be reckoned with. A 76% discount seals the deal in the Prime plan at $7.39/mo. It's virtually the same as Complete but with NordProtect on top, adding cyber extortion and identity theft insurance as some of the nicest features around. Why is this VPN Ideal for Traveling? Free eSIM data lets you stay in touch with friends and family worldwide. You don't have to splurge on expensive, foreign SIM cards that you'll use for merely a few days. An eSIM lets you communicate no matter your location. 10 GB isn't godlike, but it's pretty handy for a few occasional WhatsApp calls. Also don't forget NordVPN features in each plan. You'll get 256-bit GCM encryption, Double VPN servers, fast protocols, and unrestricted traffic. NordVPN is a traveler's best friend for streaming, torrenting, and even sidestepping bothersome censorship in specific regions. With over 7,600 global servers, it's spread like wildfire, offering millions of safe IP addresses. Having applications for all devices, NordVPN is perfect for taking on the go. Equip your phone, tablet, laptop, computer, or even a Fire TV Stick. Now, you're ready to take on the world and preserve memories securely. NordVPN lets you commence your journey risk-free, so don't look at it as a one-way ticket. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can make up your mind if you're unsatisfied. Ready your passport — it's a limited-time offer. Get NordVPN + 10 GB eSIM Today
Tom's Guide
14-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Travel securely this Memorial Day with a free eSIM from NordVPN
Memorial Day is just around the corner in the U.S. and that can mean travel for many Americans. But travel can come with risks, so NordVPN is offering protection this Memorial Day with 76% off 2-year plans and a free Saily eSIM. The deal launches today (May 14), runs through Memorial Day, and finishes on July 2. NordVPN is currently 76% off, with the 2-year plan working out at $3.09 per month. But in addition to this, new subscribers will benefit from a free Saily eSIM with all two year deals. NordVPN Basic and Standard will come with a 1 GB eSIM, NordVPN Plus will come with a 5 GB eSIM, and all other two-year plans will come with a 10 GB eSIM. Sitting top of our best VPN list, NordVPN is a great all round VPN. It's ideal if you want to protect your data and online browsing this Memorial Day. NordVPN Basic: all round VPN protectionNordVPN is our #1 rated VPN. It's super fast, ideal for streaming, and offers class-leaing privacy and security. There's over 7,000 servers worldwide and you can protect up to 10 devices. The 2-year deal works out at $3.09 per month ($83.43 up front before tax). With this deal you benefit from an extra 3 months of protection and a 1 GB Saily eSIM – both for free. NordVPN Plus: the best VPN malware protectionNordVPN Plus is for those looking to go beyond just VPN protection. This plan includes everything NordVPN Basic offers but includes a host of extra cybersecurity features. You get the best VPN malware, phishing, ad blocker, and tracking protection in the form of Threat Protection Pro, as well as the NordPass password manager. The 2-year plan comes to $3.99 per month ($107.73 up front before tax). You also get 3 extra months of protection for free and 5 GB Saily eSIM. NordVPN Prime: total cybersecurity protectionIf you're looking for total cybersecurity protection, you might want to consider NordVPN Prime. You benefit from everything the previous NordVPN plans have to offer but also get access to 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and NordProtect. NordProtect provides you with up to $1 million in cyber insurance, as well as credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The 2-year plan equates to $6.99 per month ($188.73 up front before tax). 3 extra months of protection is also included, as well as a free 10 GB Saily eSIM. Created by the team behind NordVPN, Saily brings cybersecurity protection to the world of eSIMs. Saily includes an ad-blocker and web protection, allowing you to block malicious sites and limit online trackers. In late 2024, Saily introduced Virtual Location which means you can hide your true browsing location. There are over 115 virtual locations ready to connect to and your traffic will be routed through one of NordVPN's servers. As well as being included in NordVPN plans, Saily eSIM can be purchased separately. There are over 200 locations available, with plans starting at $1.99. eSIMs can help you avoid expensive roaming charges and keep you safe from potentially compromised free, public Wi-Fi. eSIMs are a great travel companion. But if you're planning a trip abroad and wondering whether using a VPN can save you money on flights, you might be a little underwhelmed. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
