UK. A new partnership with Truphone will allow airport retailer Sim Local’s customers to download digital eSIM data plans straight to their mobiles for instant international connectivity.
This is enabled by the combination of Sim Local’s Unite platform and Truphone Connect’s cPaaS (communication platform as a service).
London-headquartered Truphone’s local and regional data plans cover 113 countries, offering greater convenience for travellers, who will no longer need additional plastic SIM cards.
The partnership will initially launch for Sim Local customers in its arrival stores at London Heathrow.
Sim Local is currently the largest seller of local SIM cards in the UK travel market and has been trialling the sale of eSIM plans from providers including Ubigi and China Unicom in selected stores since April this year.
In the coming months, Sim Local said it will offer its customers globally the benefit of Truphone eSIM through digital kiosks, the Sim Local app and global partnerships with online travel agencies and airlines.
Sim Local Chief Commercial Officer Ian Rankin said: “We know that travellers value connectivity highly, and our stores have been successfully helping people to benefit from great value local network plans since 2011.”
He added: “The shift to eSIM is set to make it even easier for travellers to avoid expensive roaming charges and simply switch to a local network for the duration of their trip. We’re delighted to be working with Truphone to extend the breadth and depth of our eSIM offer.”
Truphone Director of IoT Oliver Potter said: “As the world begins to open back up, the travel industry is set for an influx of consumers itching to explore the world again.
“Truphone Connect, a new breed of cPaaS solution, is a set of APIs that allows partners to offer mobile connectivity through their own apps and interfaces. eSIM is the future of connectivity and, alongside Sim Local, we’re bringing it to the mainstream.”
