Compare International Sim Cards

Travel data SIM card providers offer prepaid travel SIM cards or eSIMs designed to provide mobile connectivity for travellers in multiple countries. While the specifics vary between providers, most share common characteristics in how they structure their services, pricing, and limitations.

1. Charging models - Travel SIM providers typically use prepaid models, where users pay upfront for a set amount of data, calls, or SMS. These plans are usually structured in one of the following ways:

• Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG): Users pay for data, calls, and SMS based on usage rates. This model charges higher per-unit rates but provides flexibility for light users.

• Bundles or Packages: Most providers offer predefined bundles that include a specific amount of data (e.g., 5GB, 10GB), sometimes along with call minutes and SMS. These bundles often provide better value than PAYG rates.

Some providers also allow customers to top up or purchase additional bundles once the initial allowance is used up.

2. Bundled data - Travel SIMs often come with data bundles tailored for specific regions or global usage. The bundles usually vary in size and coverage:

• Regional Bundles: These are valid in specific areas, such as Europe, Asia, or North America. They are cheaper but limited to the selected region.

• Global Bundles: Cover multiple countries worldwide, ideal for frequent international travellers. These are typically more expensive.

Providers often highlight the amount of data included in each plan, with larger bundles offering a lower cost per gigabyte but requiring a higher upfront payment.

3. Validity Period - Travel SIMs have strict time limits on their usage:

• Activation Window: Most SIMs or bundles must be activated within a certain period after purchase, such as 6 months or a year.

• Usage Period: Once activated, bundles are valid for a set number of days (e.g., 7, 15, 30, or 90 days). The clock usually starts ticking from the first connection to a network.

• SIM Expiry: If a SIM is inactive for too long (e.g., no usage or top-ups), it may expire, and the number might be recycled.

This time limitation ensures that providers can optimise their network agreements and control inventory turnover.

4. Country and Network Coverage - Most travel SIM providers partner with multiple local mobile operators to offer connectivity across various countries. However, the coverage and speed (e.g., 4G/5G availability) depend on these partnerships:

• Preferred Networks: Some providers automatically connect to the best available network, while others allow users to select manually.

• Coverage Gaps: Remote areas or countries with less developed telecom infrastructure may have limited or no service.

5. Fair Usage Policies (FUP's) -To prevent abuse, travel SIMs often include restrictions such as:

• Data Caps: Even if a plan advertises "unlimited" data, speeds are typically throttled after a certain high-usage threshold.

• Limits on Call and SMS Usage: Call minutes and SMS are often capped to prevent excessive usage, especially on "unlimited" plans.

• Regional Restrictions: Some plans limit usage to specific networks or regions, even if the SIM is technically capable of global coverage.

6. Pricing and Mark-ups - Travel SIM providers often charge a premium for their services compared to buying a local SIM in a specific country. This convenience fee covers:

• Easy setup and use without needing to register with local telecom operators.

• Pre-negotiated rates that simplify connectivity in foreign countries.

• The ability to use one SIM across multiple destinations without switching.

The exact pricing depends on factors like bundle size, region, and the provider’s agreements with local carriers.

7. Activation and Set-up - Travel SIMs are designed to work seamlessly upon activation. Many providers:

• Include instructions for setting up APNs (Access Point Names) to enable data connectivity.
• Automatically configure devices for network access upon inserting the SIM or downloading an eSIM profile.
• Offer user dashboards or apps to track usage, top up, or manage settings.

8. No long term Contracts - Most travel SIMs are contract-free, making them ideal for short-term use. Travellers don’t have to commit to monthly subscriptions or long-term obligations. This pay-as-you-go structure ensures that users only pay for what they need during their trips.

9. Customer Support - Travel SIM providers usually offer customer support through apps, websites, or email. However, the quality and availability of support vary widely. Many providers offer FAQs and troubleshooting guides for common issues, like network connectivity or balance checking.

Summary - In essence, travel SIM providers focus on convenience, flexibility, and global connectivity. They charge either by usage or through prepaid bundles, with strict time limits on activation and usage periods. While they offer seamless connectivity across regions, their services come with limitations like data caps, network preferences, and fair use policies. These characteristics make travel SIMs an easy but often costlier option compared to local alternatives.

In principle, trvllr. is no different in its overarching principle and purpose than every other travel data Sim card company. We offer prepaid travel sim connectivity around the globe via a network of Mobile Network Operator partners and Mobile Virtual Network Operators. But it does have some unique advantages

1. Charging models - at trvllr. we provide a prepay model both for our consumer and our enterprise customers. Or a post-pay model for our enterprise customers only (subject to certain criteria). 

• Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG): trvllr. users simply top up their eSIM account balance with a predefined amount(£$) and then consume it at a published rate depending upon their location.

• Bundles or Packages: trvllr. does not provide bundles or specific amounts of data. We do not expect you to pay in advance for something that you may not end up using. This is a much fairer way of consuming data.

trvllr. allows you to top-up your online account for as long as you need (or are using) the eSIM. We notify you when you need to top up.

2. Bundled data - At trvllr. we consider that any bundled data is false economy, It limits how and where you can use your eSIM. You need to know exactly where you are going and how much data you will use?

• Regional Bundles: On the face of it, this appears to be good value because the price is for multiple countries. But the pricing is usually priced at the most expensive country.

• Global Bundles: As with regional pricing, whilst it may be convenient to know what you will be paying, it's rarely the most cost effective way to consume data.

We do not offer bundled data packages. We provide you with a global data rate sheet with prices per network or per country. You consume (£) from your eSIM wallet at the rate for the country you are in.

3. Validity Period - trvllr. does NOT have any time limits on our usage.

• Activation Window: trvllr. does not have an activation limit, but you must use it at least once in every 12 month period for it to remain active.

• Usage Period: Unlike traditional travel sim vendors who add a time limit so they can claim back any data that you do not use. We at trvllr. do not offer Bundles and so do not do this.

• SIM Expiry: this is Standard across most sim providers and trvllr. is no exception. You must use your eSIM once a year.

Most traditional time limitations or restrictions are there to force you to consume your data or lose it. We feel this is unfair and unnecessary.

4. Country and Network Coverage - trvllr. also partners with multiple mobile operators to offer connectivity across the globe. Coverage and speed (e.g., 4G/5G availability) depends on these partnerships, and if it is available locally, it will be available to you.

• Preferred Networks: trvllr. eSIM will connect automatically connect to any available network, OR we allow our users to select manually.

• Coverage Gaps: Whilst trvllr. has great global access, some remote areas or countries with less developed telecom infrastructure may have limited or no service.

5. Fair Usage Policies (FUP's) -trvllr. has no fair usage policy as we doo not offer bundles or speed restrictions.

• Data Caps: trvllr. does not offer bundled data packages so we do not cap anything. 

• trvllr. is a data only service. Whilst we could potentially offer voice and SMS services, most of our clients just want access to email, internet and data only services.

• Regional Restrictions: If there are any restrictions in any region we will notify you. But trvllr. does not implement restrictions or steering as standard on our product.

6. Pricing and Mark-ups - trvllr. is not a local sim service. It is designed to be a global product. We do not compare our product to local connectivity services. Our value is in our simplicity and versatility.

• Easy setup and use without needing to register with local telecom operators.

• Pre-negotiated rates that simplify connectivity in foreign countries.

• The ability to use one SIM across multiple destinations without switching sims or services.

Our pricing is standardised across the board and pre-published for all of our customers. Enterprise clients do get bespoke rates if required.

7. Activation and Set-up - trvllr. eSIMs are designed to work seamlessly upon installation.

• We include instructions for setting up APNs (Access Point Names) to enable data connectivity.
• We automatically configure devices for network access upon downloading a trvllr. eSIM profile.
• We currently offer a user dashboard to track usage, top up, or manage settings. Our app is in development. Q2/2025

8. No long term Contracts - trvllr. as standard is a premium service which requires our users to actually use the service at least once per year, But you can leave at anytime. We do offer a premium membership via a monthly subscription but this is not contractual and you can leave with 30 days notice.

9. Customer Support - trvllr. has been built upon eIM foundations to allow the SGP.32 protocols to be utilised in it's operation. As such, nearly everything about the product is fully automated. As such our support issues are almost all self-service and easy to fix. However, we do offer various forms of technical support to trouble shoot any issues with you.  

Summary - trvllr. is designed to be simple, easy to use and cost effective. It is not about clever marketing or false economy. It's about empowering our travellers to use a single eSIM no matter where they are in the world. It is designed to offer transparency in terms of pricing and flexibility in terms of where it can be used. trvllr. It is a superior, premium eSIM product built on the foundations of IoT, and now adapted for the international executive or frequent traveller.