Business travel has become a norm in today’s digital world, as many companies often ask their executives to go to different locations. In fact, a study by Northman & Sterling shows that the business travel sector has now surpassed its pre-pandemic levels. Having reached the $1.4 trillion mark in 2024, the sector is estimated to surge to $1.8 trillion by 2027.
Staying connected when traveling has gone from being a luxury to a need as organizations increasingly depend on worldwide connection. Indian business travelers want dependable and reasonably priced communication solutions since they frequently travel across borders for meetings, conferences, and client engagements.
This is the area in which eSIM (embedded SIM) technology is becoming quite important. In this article, we will look at how Indian business travelers are and how they can leverage eSIM technology to improve their experiences.
The Convenience of eSIMs for International Travel
The benefits of eSIMs for Indian business travelers begin even before they take off. These cards may be activated remotely, in contrast to regular SIM cards that need to be purchased in person. This implies that before departing India, tourists may configure their overseas data plans.
When travelers arrive in a different nation, they may activate their eSIM instantaneously by following the process described by the service provider. This can save them the trouble of locating a local carrier and buying a physical SIM card.
You don’t even have to carry around a paperclip with you, as is required with traditional cards for opening the SIM slot. Most modern-day smartphones use the tip end of a paper clip-like structure to open this chamber. Although it can be opened by any other pointed tool, eSIMs can allow you to completely avoid the hassle.
According to eSIM India, you can also add multiple numbers to your device and switch between them as and when you like. This way, you can simply avoid the hassle of carrying and inserting SIM cards every time you want to switch networks. This ability to seamlessly switch between networks ensures that Indian business travelers are always connected, regardless of their location.
However, not all smartphones available in the market support eSIMs. Therefore, you should check the eSIM-compatible phones list before traveling to your destination. However, the good news is that many popular smartphones in India support these cards to keep you connected across the world. Here are some of the popular brands that support eSIM on a wide range of their devices:
- Apple iPhone
- Apple iPad
- Samsung Galaxy series
- LG
- Google Pixel
- Sony
- Microsoft Surface
- Huawei
- Xiaomi
- Oppo
- Motorola
- OnePlus
Cost Efficiency: Reducing Roaming Charges
The potential for cost reductions offered by eSIM technology is one of its main features. Conventional international roaming fees can be unreasonably high, which frequently results in bill shock for visitors returning home. By enabling consumers to select local data plans in the nations they visit, eSIMs provide a more economical alternative.
Some of the recently launched eSIMs also offer plans starting from as low as $10. Moreover, these cost-effective price plans are available for use across 190 countries. You even get access to 1,000 such plans that are easily customizable through single or multiple service providers.
This implies that Indian business travelers won’t have to worry about paying outrageous roaming costs to stay connected. They may choose the most dependable and reasonably priced network in each area by having the flexibility to move between many providers.
Flexibility and Access to Multiple Networks
With the unmatched versatility that eSIMs provide, Indian business travelers may use a single device to access several networks. This is especially helpful in nations where different regions may have different network coverage. To ensure they always have the best coverage, these cards allow users to choose between several carriers based on their location.
An article from The Hindu states that there are around 800 carriers that support eSIMs globally. You can access the services of any of these carriers remotely to get extensive global coverage. However, this adaptability extends beyond cross-border travel.
Business travelers in India may also use this technology to switch between several domestic carriers. In distant locations where one network may have superior coverage than another, this can be quite helpful.
Enhanced Security Features
Business travelers have serious concerns about security, especially while handling confidential company data. When it comes to security, eSIMs are superior to regular SIM cards. They are less likely to be stolen or lost since they are embedded in the device and cannot be physically removed.
Additionally, eSIM profile activation and deactivation may be controlled remotely. The eSIM may be quickly disabled in the event of a lost device, lowering the possibility of illegal access to company data.
Adoption of eSIM Technology in India
Although eSIM technology adoption is still in its infancy in India, it is gaining momentum quickly. With the introduction of eSIM services by major Indian telecom providers, the transition to using this technology has become easier for business travelers.
Increases in the number of devices compatible with eSIMs are also anticipated to accelerate adoption. According to a Juniper Research study, India and China are expected to collectively represent 25% of the smartphones with eSIM connectivity by 2027. India, with 14%, is expected to lead this adoption, closely followed by China at 11% and the US at 10%.
Indian business travelers are starting to see the advantages of eSIMs, especially as more foreign locations are now reachable following the epidemic. For people who often travel overseas for work, eSIMs are an appealing alternative due to their cost-effectiveness, convenience of usage, and improved security measures. eSIMs will probably eventually become the norm for business travelers in India as awareness increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market opportunity of eSIM?
The size of the worldwide eSIM market was estimated at $1.22 billion in 2023. It is further expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.0% between 2024 and 2032. This means that the global market can reach a whopping $1.46 billion by the end of the forecast period.
What is the future of eSIM technology?
With an estimated 3.4 billion eSIMs installed globally by 2025, there are countless potential applications for eSIM. The new use cases in IoT being made possible by the 5G era can offer eSIM a major chance for mainstream adoption by businesses.
What is the risk with eSIM?
While eSIMs overcome most of the limitations of traditional cards, there are some risks that can’t be helped. For instance, no device connected to a network is immune to hacking. Thus, even eSIMs that are installed on connected devices are vulnerable to malware and other such attacks.
The eSIM technology is revolutionizing the means of communication for Indian business travelers. They are an appealing choice because of the many advantages listed in this article. The popularity of eSIM is anticipated to increase as more Indian travelers become aware of these benefits. eSIMs are expected to play a significant role in business travel as the technology develops and becomes more accessible.
