Being connected, even when traveling, has become essential to have at your fingertips the map of the city visited or information on nearby tourist attractions. eSIM cards, which allow you to have local cellular data at low prices, are a new must. A Quebec store, Simeo, now offers these mobile plans for travelers here.
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
How does it work?
eSIM card technology is still unknown to many. Integrated into most smartphones since 2018, it is a digital SIM card.
Gone are the days when you bought a physical SIM card at your destination or connected to more or less reliable public WiFi networks: it is now possible to buy a local plan at any time. Several companies offer packages, including the best known Airalo and Saily. Simeo targets Quebecers and wants to encourage them to adopt this solution.
“Our application provides access to internet data packages in 190 countries,” says Simeo co-founder Gérémy Turcotte, who discovered this technology a few years ago during a trip to Egypt. Before or during the trip, you go to the application, choose your destination and the number of gigabytes (GB) of data desired. The package, whose duration in number of days varies depending on what is chosen, is activated as soon as you arrive at your destination.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIMEO
Packages are available in 190 countries.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIMEO
You select your package according to the number of gigabytes desired.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIMEO
This Europe package is practical when you plan to visit several countries.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIMEO
Once there, simply activate the card.
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You don’t need to be a technology expert to properly configure your cell phone. “Our goal is really to make guides [pour l’activation des forfaits] which will be so detailed that you can’t go wrong,” explains Gérémy Turcotte. If any problems arise, users can call on support at any time, he confirms.
Why choose an eSIM card?
The price of mobile plans with eSIM cards is very affordable. Several players, notably Simeo, offer data starting at $3.95 for a period of seven days for the United States and countries in Europe. Price comparison sites also exist online to find the most affordable option. Roaming plans from telecommunications providers range from $10 to $16 per day.
A disadvantage of eSIM plans is that they do not offer call or text minutes. But you can easily get around the problem by using online messaging services like WhatsApp and Messenger.
Are you going on vacation for one or two weeks? The co-founder of Simeo suggests a 5 GB plan for the traveler who wants to use their phone as a travel guide. eSIM cards are therefore an effective solution for connected travelers who want peace of mind and a slightly lighter wallet.
Visit the Simeo website
