Any news on eSIMs in Ireland?

wassie

The Revolut esim is data only plan. i.e. no voice calls/sms included.

Obviously fine for calls over the internet eg Whatsapp, Signal, Facetime etc.

But if you need to get sms for 2FA codes for logins such as banking, email etc, you will also need another sim, although there generally there is no cost to receive these when roaming.

PH0NER

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856614#Comment_121856614

Revolut is offering eSIMs through 1GLOBAL (previously Truphone). They've always been one of the pricier global eSIM apps in my experience. It's a data-only eSIM, so basically only good for roaming or if you need a different mobile network domestically for rare occasions.

PH0NER

Does anyone have insider info as to when Eir will launch eSIMs? I’m tempted to switch to Eir’s fibre with the €9.99 SIM add-on, but can’t with my US model iPhone.

I know Eir are due to launch some new website / apps so I assume the eSIM launch might tie to that. No idea when tho.

PH0NER

Their new website launched a couple weeks ago! I chatted both Eir and GoMo recently and both support reps said eSIM wasn’t a planned feature. I highly doubt that.

It's possible they just won't ever launch them I suppose. Better off switching networks than waiting around for years.

Stary

I converted my SIM number to an eSim today with Vodafone business. Painless and straightforward with the assistance from the chat representative. I want to add in a second number to my phone so that I can use it for personal and business use. Its an iPhone 14 pro max and locked in with VF.

Do I have to order an second business SIM (voice and Data) from vodafone or can I pick any type (prepay and PAYG, personal/business)?

I used an Airalo eSim recently when travelling to Canada and it worked well for data.

Any suggestions?

Tech_Head

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122063174#Comment_122063174

Any type of SIM will work, just as if it was the only SIM in the phone.
Check that your handset is actually locked to Vodafone first and check if they can unlock it for you - I’ve a Vodafone 15 Pro and they unlocked it right away when I applied online.

I have Vodafone Personal and Business, but can just as easily have a 3 and a Vodafone. You can have the second SIM as physical or eSIM too (at least on iPhone) - your choice.

Stary

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122064294#Comment_122064294

Great advice..so, the trick here is to get the phone unlocked. Thanks!

Ah-Watch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122064738#Comment_122064738

If you to go Settings- General - About it will tell you if it's locked or not. No sim restrictions means its unlocked already. If you used Airalo before it should be unlocked already.

Stary

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122071542#Comment_122071542

Phone is locked, but I have requested an unlock. Airalo worked regardless. Thanks again for your advice.

darrenheaphy

Has anyone yet found an operator that supports eSIM with cellular watches (Apple etc)?

Tech_Head

I noticed Vodafone’s support page has updated. It used to say Samsung watches only and it’s changed to the below. It’s still restrictive in that you must be on one of their bill phone plans though.

What smartwatches are eligible for OneNumber?  

Cellular enabled smartwatches are eligible for OneNumber.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic 47MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic 43MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 44MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 40MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro 45MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 44MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 40MM LTE

Samsung Galaxy Watch4 40MM LTE

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro 51MM LTE

digiman

very frustrating that there is still no support for Apple Watch, is there any hacks or workaround to using another EU network for this that you could roam on and have your phone calls forwarded to or anything like that?

My assumption is that Samsung probably does some deal with the networks to promote their wearables tbh.

Apple tends to assume that it doesn't need to promote that way.

boardzz

Cellular Apple Watch goes on sale in Ireland 10th June with Vodafone.

Cork981

where did you see that ?

darrenheaphy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191211#Comment_122191211

Aww, nothing announced today :(

Bummer1234

Launching today

https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/apple-watch-cellular-for-outdoor-use-with-no-phone-launches-in-ireland-with-vodafone/a142917762.html

macchoille

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122244331#Comment_122244331

just tried to subscribe but says some issue with payment 🤷‍♂️, I’ve been with Vodafone since the Eircell days and never had a payment issue so guessing it’s some sort of issue with the sign up process

darrenheaphy

Darn, it's an extension of one's existing mobile number. I was hoping it could be a standalone eSIM with it's own number

macchoille

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122247800#Comment_122247800

I believe that’s the way it’s supposed to work with wearables (but I could be wrong). Your watch will will behave / have features as if your phone was being carried with you.

Tech_Head

Yes, it’s that you can leave your phone at home but still be contactable at your normal number. There are international plans available now that can give you a different phone number if thats what you are looking for.

Tech_Head

FYI - Apple Watch Cellular is now available from Apple directly over here. Means you can also get the stainless steel editions too.

https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch

I'm really surprised Eir isn't pushing this out too. They're built on the same Ericsson Cloud Infrastructure and IMS platform - I assume you just pay the software licence for the services.

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122248998#Comment_122248998

They offer eSIM on GoMoWorld but for some unknown reason don't on Eir Mobile or GoMo so no Apple cellular until such time that they do. Part of me wonders is it to do with their billing systems, by all accounts they were in total disarray until very recently.

wassie

GoMO and GoMoWorld are very different offerings and in effect separate entities.

While both are mobile services, they cater to different needs: GoMoWorld offers international data roaming via esim, whilst GoMo provides a full mobile network service in Ireland.

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249238#Comment_122249238

GoMoWorld is very much Eir - same underlying operator network (the old Meteor network), the same SIM serial numbers as Eir and GoMo customers get (27203), GoMoWorld uses the same data.myeirmobile.ie APN for data, and the same roaming agreements as Eir have negotiated globally.

The only difference that I am aware of is GoMo and GoMoWorld uses its own standalone billing and OSS/BSS platform while Eir uses a multitude of historical systems to allow for bundling broadband, landline or TV with mobile.

If they can provision GoMoWorld eSIMs then there is no reason why they cannot do so for GoMo and Eir, all else being equal. It would appear Eir is the unequal in its historical billing systems and it's quite likely they don't want to appear to be giving GoMo an advantage over their more lucrative main brand so they're just holding back on both for now.

Eir's systems are being migrated and consolidated so we may see developments once that's fully completed.

I wonder if that new website is intended to do some of this, as it has a replace sim option, just without any eSIM yet.

The obvious thing for them to do would be rollout an app that manages it the same as GoMoWorld

lotas

I just checked Apple's site, and Ireland is now live for Apple Celular… but the provider is VodafoneZiggo… Do they know something we don't?