Press Release | 21 Apr 2021

Sim Local to accelerate eSIM travel growth

Friday, 23 April, 2021: Sim Local, global expert in eSIM technology and leaders in telecoms airport retail, and Vodafone UK, announce today that they will explore opportunities to collaborate to drive customer adoption of eSIM technology.

Sim Local plans to accelerate eSIM readiness across the global travel market. The GSMA predicts that by 2025, 35%+ of all smartphone network connections will be made using eSIM [1]. This shift – moving from a physical SIM card to a digital eSIM download – is set to transform connectivity and revolutionise the way the consumer accesses mobile networks across the globe.

Key benefits for customers are a seamless connectivity where they do not need to wait for physical SIM cards to arrive. eSIM-capable devices allow for quicker and simpler connection to their network. Customers can have one device with two numbers to enjoy the flexibility on the same phone by using a physical SIM at the same time as an eSIM. [2]

Sim Local has an extensive partnership portfolio, with technology partners such as Giesecke + Devrient (G+D), and retail affiliates globally. Working with Vodafone UK would further extend Sim Local’s ability to provide seamless connectivity to international travellers. [3]

Killian Whelan, Chief Executive Officer, Sim Local comments: “eSIM technology is revolutionising the mobile industry at a rapid pace and will transform the way people connect to their everyday devices in the coming years, especially whilst travelling.

“As the travel market rebounds following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will witness accelerated growth for eSIM both in the UK and across the globe. We are delighted to be working alongside Vodafone UK to explore the benefits of eSIM to international travellers.”

Jon Shaw, Head of Consumer Sales, Vodafone UK, says: “Sim Local is a valued partner and an expert in this space, with whom we have had many years of joint trading. We look forward to exploring eSIM opportunities together.”

For more information, please visit www.simlocal.com.

eSIM smartphone connections to 2025

Figure 1: GSMA Intelligence, “eSIM: State of consumer market and the road ahead”, March 2021

-ENDS-

Sim Local press office

simlocal@redconsultancy.com

0207 025 6635

About Sim Local

Sim Local was founded in 2011 and is one of the world’s largest SIM providers in the travel sector and experts in eSIM technology.

Sim Local provides comprehensive eSIM capability to mobile operators; building functionality on existing SM-DP+ bases or offering solutions from scratch. Sim Local has developed a powerful eSIM platform: UNITE, working with infrastructure providers and across all areas of retail integration. The UNITE platform provides the core capability mobile operators need to be able to offer eSIM services to customers across all sales channels, allowing them to purchase, activate, download and install eSIM profiles.

Sim Local is an associate member of the GSMA and has been part of their eSIM project, developing global standards across consumer and M2M/IoT since 2017.

The company has a wealth of expertise across the telecoms, retail, and global travel industry, working with affiliate networks across 54 countries and operating airport stores and vending machines providing local network bundles to intercontinental travellers each year.

Since 2011, Sim Local has been providing prepaid local SIM cards to international travellers, serving almost a million customers in 2019. It is this heritage which led to them recognising the commercial opportunities of eSIM.

To find out more, visit www.simlocal.com.

[1] See Figure 1

[2] https://www.thefastmode.com/services-and-innovations/19213-vodafone-fiji-first-to-launch-esim-in-the-region-for-prepay-and-post-paid-customers

[3] https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/News/article/sim-local-strikes-gieseckedevrient-partnership-speed-esim-take

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

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Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

Vodafone Limited

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