[REVISION HISTORY]

Growth and security challenges of eSIM technology

Updated 16 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-17 12:58 UTC → 2026-10-02 05:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

eSIM technology is transitioning from a niche feature to a widespread connectivity standard. This digital profile technology allows users to activate mobile plans via apps or QR codes, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. For travelers and business professionals, eSIMs provide a solution to traditional roaming challenges such as high costs and network compatibility issues. Market leaders like Holafly, which reports over 10 million users, and SIMZY are expanding offerings to reduce international roaming charges. Global demand for travel eSIMs is projected to increase by one-third this year. Market research firm FDM CCS Insight estimates that approximately 134 million eSIMs will be used worldwide this year, up from 101.8 million the previous year. The shift is significantly impacting the telecommunications economy. While Juniper Research estimates travel eSIMs could displace $1.2 billion in traditional retail roaming revenue in 2025, Kaleido Intelligence forecasts that travel eSIM traffic could contribute nearly $10 billion in attributable wholesale roaming revenue to operators by 2030. To capture this, operators must ensure technical standards like GSMA’s IR.21 are properly implemented to avoid lost wholesale opportunities due to inconsistent network configuration. ~~Hardware manufacturers are also driving adoption by phasing out physical slots. Following~~ Recent trends highlight the ~~2017 introduction~~ cost-effectiveness of ~~eSIM in Google’s Pixel~~ eSIMs compared to traditional roaming. For instance, a ten-day trip to Indonesia using Telstra’s International Day Pass costs approximately A$100 for 2 ~~and its 2018 arrival in Apple’s iPhone XS series, the industry is moving toward eSIM-only models.~~ GB per day, with unused data expiring daily. In ~~Japan,~~ contrast, providers like Yesim offer plans that remain active for the ~~iPhone 17 series transitioned to eSIM-only in autumn 2025,~~ entire trip duration; a ~~trend continued by the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Duo. Apple has adopted an eSIM-only approach~~ ten-day unlimited plan for ~~the iPhone 18 Pro in~~ Indonesia via Yesim is estimated at roughly A$51, nearly half the ~~United States to optimize battery life~~ cost of traditional roaming. Beyond savings, eSIMs offer logistical advantages, such as covering multi-country itineraries with a single profile and ~~design, though it has maintained physical~~ allowing travelers to maintain their primary SIM ~~slots~~ for receiving bank SMS and authorization codes while using the ~~European market. In Russia, eSIMs have become an essential tool~~ eSIM for ~~tourists following 2025 regulations that made obtaining physical SIM cards nearly impossible.~~ data.

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