Forum Discussion
Enough is enough - eSIM *now*
> Problem solved then!
..except, not. As no UK carriers offers eSIM for prepaid service. This is an *inexcusable situation*. I've been using eSIMs since 2018 (T-Mobile launched eSIM with the XS launch). I don't want to use physical SIMs, especially when travelling.
Why are you so forgiving to how inept your home market carriers are?
> Why are you so forgiving to how inept your home market carriers are?
I’m not…
You make it sound like SMARTY are the only UK network to not offer eSIM and that they do it out of spite or something. Most UK MVNO’s charge a lot less than the main networks (SMARTY being the cheapest - I think) and thus don’t have money to invest in the latest and greatest features as and when they become available. It costs the network money every time an eSIM is issued so I can understand why eSIM isn’t a priority for the majority of MVNO’s.
Please stop perpetuating the myth that eSIM comes with a per unit cost. It doesn’t. How much do you think the *physical creation* and *shipping* of SIMs cost carriers? Free? Be serious…
The infrastructure for eSIM provisioning is largely handled by Ericcson & Nokia. Every commercial agreement is different. For example, the largest carrier in the US pays no cost to issue eSIM. I wonder why…As for Smarty being cheap; that’s one of the single biggest reasons why the UK carrier market is so dire performance wise. Here in the US, we pay way more, but our service is infinitely superior.
NB: 3 *was* the last carrier - by years! - to offer eSIM! All UK carriers are behind the US market.
