Latest news with #eSim
The Sun
25-07-2025
- The Sun
I won Race Across the World – here are my money-saving travel tricks and the best destinations to holiday on the cheap
IN 2024, Alfie Watts became the youngest winner of Race Across the World - and since then he's visited a whopping 65 countries. Now, he's sharing his tips on how to holiday on a budget - and you can use lots of them too - from the Virgin Red loyalty scheme to making the most of laundry services at hotels. 8 Earlier this month, Alfie, 21, took on a challenge with Virgin Red to see how far he could travel using loyalty points. Using the scheme, he booked a trip from Johannesburg to London, to New York. While he says you have to pay taxes and charges on the flights, it still works out as being a lot cheaper. When Alfie spoke to Sun Travel, he insisted anyone can take advantage of the scheme, he said: "You can accrue Virgin points by spending with every day retailers. "Buying flights or train tickets can earn you points, or even if you sign up with Virgin Media for your WiFi." To get points you need to spend through the Virgin Red app, and it's not necessarily big items either, they work with brands like Tesco, Just Eat, M&S and Boots. Then use your points when you're ready to fly. Of course, using loyalty schemes isn't the only way to save money. As a frequent traveller, Alfie revealed there's something he won't spend his cash on - an extra suitcase. The cost of an additional bag can vary based on the airline, route, and whether its bought online or at the airport - but it can cost up to £140. 'I tried out the Race Across the World Experience in London' 8 8 Taking more luggage also means you have to take it with you for the duration of your trip, in and out of the airport, so it can be hassle. What Alfie suggested is to ditch the extra case and make the most of laundry services. He told us: "I don't think people appreciate washing and laundrettes enough. "Every hotel has a washing service, but also if you're in a town or city, they will have a laundrette, and it's so much cheaper. "You can wash them yourself too, but they can get so wet and it's hard to dry them out, unless you're in a really hot country - then you can just lay them outside." Another travel must-have for Alfie is an eSim. Rather than finding a phone shop to get a local sim, you can buy and download these onto your phone before you fly. You can choose a data plan and they're easy enough to top up if you're out and about and running low. Alfie said: "I think having an eSIM is an absolute essential. "I always, always use one because there aren't many mobile network providers any more and EU roaming doesn't apply in certain places." He continued: "When it comes to booking flights, I find there's a sweet spot at the six to eight week mark. "There's so much conflicting information, a lot will say book when the flights first get released. "But I've found that at around six weeks before the flight, then the prices will drop, given it's not the high season." There is one thing that Alfie won't compromise on, no matter the price. He revealed: "I'll never ever scrimp on safety. For example, I went to Venezuela and I did not care about spending £150 a night on a hotel in Caracas. "Staying out of the city was not a risk I wanted to take. You've got to be mindful of your surroundings - especially to any young people going backpacking." 8 8 Now, as for where to visit, Alfie gives us the low-down on where the cheapest holiday destinations are - and his favourites. He said: " Malaysia is number one, it's got so much variety, cultural diversity and it's so cheap." "Some of the cities are so developed it's hard to believe that's where you are. And the food, it's so authentic and you can get great dishes at the market for not a lot of money. "It's got all the bits of Southeast Asia that you love and it's completely safe, and the water's drinkable." Another country that Alfie recommends to travellers is Jordan. He revealed: "Jordan as a country is spectacular. People will go just for Petra, but the whole place is brilliant, you've got the desert and cities in the north. "The people are so friendly, and they love that you're visiting as a Brit." 8 Sticking to Europe, Alfie's other tip is that the further east you go, the cheaper it becomes. He added: " I went to Moldova, that was really cheap. And Uzbekistan had great value for money. "When I went, we were on the tourist trail which made things a bit more expensive. But we got a half an hour taxi which cost 20,000 UZS which is is £1.16." Alfie can't stop globetrotting and confessed the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean are on his bucket list, but there are places in the UK that are close to his heart too. "I love Orkney in Scotland, it's really hidden away and out of the tourist trail. "I went over Christmas and New Year so it was dark and cold but really beautiful. "And there's always a special place in my heart for Cornwall, specifically at the bottom of St Ives. "There are some islands that I need to see too, the Isles of Scilly - that's where I want to go next." Alfie also revealed how to get two bucket list trips cheaper than a holiday to Majorca. Here's what I thought when I tried the new Race Across the World The Experience – fans of the BBC TV show will love it. 8
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chipmaker STMicro makes first loss in over a decade, hit by restructuring costs
By Nathan Vifflin AMSTERDAM: STMicroelectronics reported a second-quarter loss on Thursday, its first in more than a decade, underperforming market expectations as it was hit by restructuring costs . The company's shares fell 11% in early trade, on track for their worst day since July last year. The Franco-Italian chipmaker, which makes power chips for Tesla 's drivetrains and eSim modules for Apple's iPhones, posted a loss of $133 million for the quarter, missing the average $56.2 million profit analysts expected in an LSEG poll. The operating loss included a $190 million impairment, restructuring charges and other costs, STMicro said in a statement. Without the restructuring and impairment costs, profits would have reached $57 million, the company added. STMicro's heavy reliance on in-house manufacturing, representing about 80% of sales, has burdened it with underused factories and high staff costs when the market slows, unlike rivals Infineon and NXP that use more contract manufacturing, analysts say. Chipmakers exposed to the struggling automotive, industrial, and consumer chip markets such as STMicro, Texas Instruments , or NXP have faced a sales slump, hit by low demand, high inventories, and geopolitical disruptions . STMicro, one of Europe's largest chipmakers, unveiled a cost-cutting plan last year to restructure its manufacturing facilities and save hundreds of millions of dollars by 2027. The plans, which included cutting 5,000 jobs in France and Italy over the next three years, started a spat between the French and Italian governments, who jointly own a stake of 27.5%in the firm. STMicro's Chief Executive Jean-Marc Chery defended his plan after the Italian government sought to oust him and accused the management of insider trading. STMicro has not provided guidance for the full year of 2025. In June, the company said it saw the early signs of an upcycle, or a period of increased market demand, which would allow it to achieve its second-quarter revenue goal of $2.71 billion. Revenue rose to $2.76 billion from $2.52 billion in the second quarter, ahead of that target. STMicro said it is now expecting revenue in the third-quarter to reach $3.17 billion, ahead of analysts expectations of $3.10 billion.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Brits travelling to Turkey warned amid 'sudden' eSims ban
It means that tourists will be prevented from accessing the websites and apps of the affected companies. Brits will now need to purchase local sim cards or incur extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data, unless they make this important change at the airport. Travel expert at international eSim provider Holafly, Juan David Soler, shared his advice. Mr Soler said: 'Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly. 'eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming. 'But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey. UK Passport Renewal Guide "To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK. This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it's working properly before departure. 'Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings." Is it worth getting an eSIM for Turkey? eSIMs are more secure than a physical SIM because it can't be removed if your phone is lost or stolen. Travellers to Turkey are not affected so long as they purchase and install the eSIM before arrival. The eSIM ban is primarily targeted at Turkish residents buying eSIMs for international travel in Turkey. However, Holafly advises that there are several steps to consider if you plan on using an international eSIM in Turkey: Buy your eSIM before departure: Your chosen eSIM's online store will not work once you land. Recommended Reading: Install your eSIM before arrival: Use your QR or manual installation code to set up your eSIM before you travel. You can delay activation by keeping data roaming 'off' until you land. Save your QR code or eSIM installation code locally: This way, you can install your eSIM in Turkey without needing the provider's website or app. Download a secure VPN: Without a VPN, you will not be able to manage your eSIM solution digitally, check for remaining data usage, or contact customer service. It is important to note that the situation is changing, and the eSIM ban in Turkey may affect different users' connections in different ways.
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Brits travelling to Turkey warned amid 'sudden' eSims ban
The country's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has reportedly blocked access to more than a dozen international eSIM providers. It means that tourists will be prevented from accessing the websites and apps of the affected companies. Brits will now need to purchase local sim cards or incur extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data, unless they make this important change at the airport. Travel expert at international eSim provider Holafly, Juan David Soler, shared his advice. Mr Soler said: 'Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly. 'eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming. 'But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey. UK Passport Renewal Guide "To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK. This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it's working properly before departure. 'Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings." Is it worth getting an eSIM for Turkey? eSIMs are more secure than a physical SIM because it can't be removed if your phone is lost or stolen. Travellers to Turkey are not affected so long as they purchase and install the eSIM before arrival. The eSIM ban is primarily targeted at Turkish residents buying eSIMs for international travel in Turkey. However, Holafly advises that there are several steps to consider if you plan on using an international eSIM in Turkey: Buy your eSIM before departure: Your chosen eSIM's online store will not work once you land. Recommended Reading: Install your eSIM before arrival: Use your QR or manual installation code to set up your eSIM before you travel. You can delay activation by keeping data roaming 'off' until you land. Save your QR code or eSIM installation code locally: This way, you can install your eSIM in Turkey without needing the provider's website or app. Download a secure VPN: Without a VPN, you will not be able to manage your eSIM solution digitally, check for remaining data usage, or contact customer service. It is important to note that the situation is changing, and the eSIM ban in Turkey may affect different users' connections in different ways.
South Wales Guardian
17-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
How to avoid roaming charges when abroad
Telecoms experts are urging travellers to check if their mobile plans include international roaming – otherwise they could face charges as high as £5 a day. For a two-week break that comes in at £70 per phone on top of regular mobile charges. For a family of four that's an additional £280 on their monthly mobile phone bill. Experts at are suggesting holidaymakers make use of eSims to bring costs down and make mobile usage overseas affordable. An eSim is a digital version of a SIM card. It allows users to switch to a local provider without taking out your traditional SIM or changing your number. After landing, mobile users simply change their mobile packing to use the eSim rather than the UK SIM. Telecoms expert Juliet Moran, said: 'Holidaymakers need to be aware of roaming changes both in Europe and further afield and they need to look at ways to mitigate the extortionate cost passed on by phone providers. 'An eSim is the easiest way to do this. They're already built into your phone and allow you to activate an additional mobile data plan. 'In comparison to roaming charges the cost is minimal. To give you an example, on a recent trip to the USA, my provider was going to charge £5 a day. An eSim plan for a month cost just $12. 'The plans will cover all your data needs including maps, social media, emails, and video calls, with no roaming charges or surprise fees when you get back home.' Firstly, it's important to check if your phone supports eSIMs. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up) support eSIM functionality. Check your phone settings or manufacturer website if you're unsure. Search within the country you are visiting for an eSIM holiday provider. It's quite a competitive market, so it won't take long to find a local supplier offering a good deal on an eSIM. Make sure it's contract free for short term use. Check the daily limits for data, even on an unlimited package. It's easier to find a cheaper provider once you are in the country, so use airport Wi-Fi to get yourself a good local deal. This is a fairly straightforward task. You will need to: Download the provider's app or scan a QR code to install the eSIM. You may need another phone to take a photo of the QR code to install it on your own mobile if you don't have a computer or tablet to hand. Or use the manual eSIM installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. Set the eSIM as your primary data plan while abroad (you can still receive texts and calls to your UK number if needed). Recommended Reading: How to get the cheapest airport parking and save up to £120 How to book airport parking and lounges before your holiday What is the best SPF moisturiser? Harley Street advice Keep an eye on your usage or buy a slightly larger plan to cover streaming and navigation comfortably, as going over those limits can lead to large bills. Once home, just toggle your mobile data settings to return to your UK SIM. The eSIM can usually remain installed for future trips or you can just delete it.
