Fixing slow eSIM adoption to improve global mobile connectivity

For years, we’ve been told mobile SIMs are dying and eSIM adoption will provide key benefits including seamless global roaming connectivity.

GSMA Intelligence predicts 6.7 billion eSIM smartphones by 2030. The industry, from network providers to phone makers like Apple, is all in. So, the million-dollar question: why aren’t we all using them yet?

This is the puzzle that Hamish White, the CEO of telecom software firm Mobilise, believes the industry has to solve, and fast. There’s a huge gap between the promised benefits of eSIMs and our everyday reality, and it all comes down to a few human frustrations.

The key benefits of eSIMs

The sales pitch for eSIM adoption is solid, especially for global mobile roaming connectivity. You could land in a new country, and instead of hunting for a kiosk to buy a local SIM, you just scan a code and you’re online in minutes. No more shocking roaming charges on your bill when you get home.

But it’s not just for jet-setters. Imagine being able to ditch your network for a better deal and be set up with your new provider before you’ve even finished your cup of tea. That’s the kind of flexibility eSIMs promise; putting the power back in your hands.

Removing the SIM card tray also enables more efficient smartphone design as we chase thinner devices while retaining, or improving, aspects like battery life and thermal efficiency.

And, on top of all that, we’d finally stop producing and throwing away billions of little plastic chips every year. It’s a win for us and a win for the planet..

Reality check about global eSIM adoption

With over 400 mobile networks now on board and Apple pushing devices in Europe that only support eSIMs with its upcoming iPhone 17 Air, you’d think we’d all be converts enjoying its benefits by now. But we’re not.

For a start, the process can be a real headache. According to Hamish White, many mobile networks haven’t really made the digital shift. Instead of building a smooth new system from scratch, they’ve tried to bolt eSIM technology onto their legacy connectivity processes designed for physical cards.

The result? Confusing instructions, failed activations, and a support desk that doesn’t always know how to help. It’s no wonder that around 40 percent of us feel we can’t even activate one on our own. If something feels like it might be more trouble than it’s worth, most of us will just stick with what we know.

Then, of course, there’s the red tape. Travelling with an eSIM should be simple, but different countries have different rules. It’s like having a passport that works differently at every border. Turkey’s recent ban on eSIMs over security worries, and the complex restrictions in places like China and India, create a messy picture for global connectivity. This patchwork of regulations kills the simplified global connectivity benefits that eSIM adoption promises.

So, how do we fix slow eSIM uptake to improve mobile connectivity?

How do we get from here to the simple, connected future we were promised? White believes it starts with a change of attitude.

First, networks need to make the experience as easy as downloading an app. Everything should just work in the background, from signing up to getting your bill, without you having to jump through hoops. It needs to be intuitive, reliable, and built for people, not for engineers.

Second, everyone needs to get in a room and agree on a global rulebook. Regulators, phone companies, and network providers have to collaborate to create clear and consistent standards. We need to build a system where using an eSIM for mobile connectivity works the same way whether you’re in London, Dubai, or Delhi.

eSIM technology is ready and waiting for global adoption. The question now is whether the industry is ready to unlock the benefits of eSIMs by putting people first and finally bridge the gap between a brilliant idea and a simple reality.

See also: Telenor IoT adopts next-gen SGP.32 eSIM standard

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Tags: connectivity, esim, mobile, networks, Operators, regulation, roaming, telecoms