Over 200 Million Travel eSIM Users Expected by 2028, Disrupting the Roaming Industry with 440% Growth

Monday, April 8, 2024

A recent analysis by Juniper Research, renowned experts in the telecommunications sector, indicates a significant surge in the adoption of travel eSIM technology worldwide. This growth is projected to escalate from 40 million users in 2024 to more than 215 million by the year 2028.

Travel eSIM technology offers a convenient alternative to traditional roaming services provided by operators. It enables travelers to download a local profile temporarily to their devices, bypassing expensive roaming fees.

The research suggests that escalating international roaming costs will spur the uptake of travel eSIM options. According to the findings, in 2024, roaming data is expected to cost mobile users an average of $8.57 per GB, in contrast to $5.50 per GB for those using travel eSIMs. This presents a 35% cost reduction, offering significant savings for people traveling internationally.

Highlights from the report, titled “Global Travel SIMs & eSIMs Market: 2024-2028,” are currently available for complimentary download.

Opportunities for Travel eSIM Providers…

The report forecasts that the increasing availability of devices compatible with eSIM technology across numerous nations will significantly contribute to the expansion of the travel eSIM user base. For instance, it is anticipated that by 2024, over half of the devices in the United States will be equipped with eSIM technology, thereby broadening the potential market for travel eSIM solutions.

Molly Gatford, the lead analyst of the study, noted, “The expansion of eSIM-capable devices alone isn’t enough. To enhance the adoption of travel eSIM packages, it’s critical to optimize various distribution channels to ensure a smooth and straightforward purchasing process for consumers.”

Challenges for Traditional Roaming Services

With the growing preference for travel eSIM solutions, traditional roaming services face a potential decline. The research anticipates a loss exceeding $11 billion globally for operators due to the shift towards travel eSIMs. It advises operators to develop and offer their own travel eSIM solutions as a complementary service to their existing roaming packages.

Comprehensive Research Suite

This latest suite of research provides an exhaustive evaluation of the global travel SIMs and eSIMs market, featuring detailed analysis and forecast for 60 countries over a five-year span. The collection encompasses over 17,500 market data points, including a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and a ‘Country Readiness Index.’

View the Travel SIMs & eSIMs research: https://www.juniperresearch.com/research/telco-connectivity/roaming/travel-sims-esims-market-research-report/

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