Author Topic: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)  (Read 6520 times)

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« on: September 14, 2021, 09:26:44 PM »
Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I was just mindblown. In 60 seconds online, I was able to buy a data package in a different country from Airalo and install it on my iPhone - keeping calls on the primary Verizon SIM and data on the Airalo eSim.

FWIW, they offer 15GB in Israel for $15 - and you can buy more easily online if it runs out, but I don't know which network Annatel resells

Airalo promo code FOUNDERS30 for 30% off up to $7 (I don't benefit in any way)

Another vendor is https://esim.knowroaming.com, I guess you have to compare destination to destination.

״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline AsherO

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2021, 09:29:49 PM »
Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I was just mindblown. In 60 seconds online, I was able to buy a data package in a different country from Airalo and install it on my iPhone - keeping calls on the primary Verizon SIM and data on the Airalo eSim.

FWIW, they offer 15GB in Israel for $15 - and you can buy more easily online if it runs out, but I don't know which network Annatel resells

Airalo promo code FOUNDERS30 for 30% off up to $7 (I don't benefit in any way)

Another vendor is https://esim.knowroaming.com, I guess you have to compare destination to destination.



What speed to they roam on in Israel?
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2021, 09:39:52 PM »
What speed to they roam on in Israel?
I don't know, although I don't think there's much throttling in Israel.

In Canada, Airalo put me on Rogers LTE with around 5mbps in my current location - similar to VZW on Telus.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2021, 09:58:43 PM »
https://esimdb.com is a great database for vendors in different locations.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2022, 07:36:39 PM »
https://esimdb.com is a great database for vendors in different locations.

I should have checked this rather than relying on GoogleFi (which I decided to use in order not to need separate purchases for Israel and Turkey).
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2022, 03:36:27 AM »
https://esimdb.com is a great database for vendors in different locations.

For 1 day plans, can you buy it the day before you need it, or as soon as it's ordered, it's activated - no way around it?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2022, 06:31:30 AM »
For 1 day plans, can you buy it the day before you need it, or as soon as it's ordered, it's activated - no way around it?
You can buy it and then activate it later whenever you want.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline chff

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2022, 06:54:50 AM »
Life in Ukraine has esim, but needs a local issued bank card to buy it

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2022, 08:37:34 AM »
Life in Ukraine has esim, but needs a local issued bank card to buy it
You sure? I've been a life customer for years - never had Ukrainian bank.
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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2022, 09:06:47 AM »
You sure? I've been a life customer for years - never had Ukrainian bank.
Tried buying last year and had trouble, CS told me I need a UKR issued card

Offline DealJew

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2022, 12:50:46 PM »
How do i know if my phone is compatible?
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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2022, 09:37:00 PM »
Can you get Esim for Hotspot?

Offline Yonah

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2023, 09:19:58 AM »
Going to Israel soon, and was thinking about Airalo - anyone have good or bad experiences to share?

Offline Yonah

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2023, 09:26:19 AM »
Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I was just mindblown. In 60 seconds online, I was able to buy a data package in a different country from Airalo and install it on my iPhone - keeping calls on the primary Verizon SIM and data on the Airalo eSim.

FWIW, they offer 15GB in Israel for $15 - and you can buy more easily online if it runs out, but I don't know which network Annatel resells

Airalo promo code FOUNDERS30 for 30% off up to $7 (I don't benefit in any way)

Another vendor is https://esim.knowroaming.com, I guess you have to compare destination to destination.

Annatel uses partner's network.

Offline Yonah

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #15 on: January 31, 2023, 02:54:49 PM »
Just following up. I used Airalo on my Trip, and it worked pretty good. I had great service in Tel-Aviv and Yerushalayim, but so-so service in parts of RBS A'.

Some things I learned:
- I underestimated how much data I would use, as one of the AirBnb's I stayed at had no Wi-fi
- When you top-up, it doesn't properly show the amount of data you used after your original package is used up
- Prices are what you see - no additional fees or charges
- This is data only, no israeli phone number

For each referral, you and the person you refer get a $3 credit, but you only need to create an account. So what I did was:
  • created an account for myself
  • buy esims for my wife and son with my referral code (they each saved $3)
  • then I bought my e-sim with the $6 referral credit

Offline yg99

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #16 on: February 01, 2023, 03:48:57 PM »
How does whatsapp work with this?


Offline satturn

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2023, 02:55:57 PM »
https://we-com.co.il/
is a cheap Israeli provider

Offline Yonah

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2023, 09:52:26 AM »
How does whatsapp work with this?

Sorry for the late response....

I primarily used WhatsApp for texting/calling while I was in Israel. It worked great. WhatsApp uses Data even for voice calls, so you are good to go. The only issue I had in Israel, if you are communicating with people that don't use WhatsApp - it's an international call. I used google voice to call those people without issue.

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Re: Roaming with eSims (e.g. Airalo)
« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2023, 09:55:34 AM »
https://we-com.co.il/
is a cheap Israeli provider

These prices are pretty good. 5G for 50 shekel that's like $13/month. Might need to try this out on my next Israel trip. Have you used it?