Exploring the future of eSIMs: growth and prospects of the business and leisure travel market
And new study conducted by Juniper Research offers an in-depth look at the eSIM market intended for travel and for those who make sporadic or intended use of the international roaming service, revealing significant growth prospects in the coming years.
Research
According to estimates by Juniper Researchthe global number of users with eSIM for travel is expected to grow dramatically, rising from 40 million in 2024 to over 215 million by 2028.
This significant increase reflects the growing demand for solutions that allow travelers to stay connected without having to deal with roaming charges from traditional operators.
Why eSIMs are becoming popular
eSIMs represent an alternative to international roaming, allowing travelers to temporarily download a local profile onto their device and thus avoid roaming charges which, for example, are very expensive for European users who enjoy so-called zero roaming once they leave from EU countries.
This approach not only offers greater flexibility and convenience, but also significant cost savings.
According to the study, mobile subscribers will spend an average of $8.57 per GB of data roaming in 2024, while travel eSIM users will spend just $5.50 per GB, or with a 35% savings.
The growing penetration of eSIM-enabled devices in many countries provides a solid platform for user growth. For example, more than half of connected devices in the United States will have eSIMs installed by 2024, creating a large potential market for travel eSIMs.
Outlook for the eSIM market
However, to maximize the growth of the travel eSIM market, it is essential to maximize the number of effective distribution channels (the online one is very strong, see our presentation of Saily by NordVPN ed) and create a seamless purchasing journey for consumers.
This includes partnerships with online travel agencies and airlines to increase product visibility and ensure the shopping experience is seamless and convenient.
The risks for Telcos
Despite the growth opportunities offered by travel eSIMs, traditional operators could suffer significant losses.
Juniper Research estimates that Operators will lose over $11 billion globally due to the growing adoption of eSIMs. Therefore, the study recommends that operators develop and implement their own travel eSIM solutions that can integrate existing roaming packages, thus ensuring greater competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global communications market.
In conclusion, eSIMs for travel represent one of the most promising trends in the telecommunications industry, offering significant opportunities for both consumers and operators. In short, with the expected growth in the number of users and a greater awareness of the value of eSIMs, the future seems bright for this innovative technology.
Licensed image Depositphoto
See also
– Research (excerpt .pdf) via CorCom