Unfashionably late, Pelephone announced today (Sunday) that it is launching the eSIM technology in Israel. Pelephone is the first of the major cellular operators to offer support for the technology, but we are likely to hear similar announcements from Cellcom, Partner and Hot Mobile soon (wecom has been offering the service for a long time).
The eSIM technology makes it possible to dispense with a physical SIM card and easily switch between cellular companies, because the SIM is already embedded in the smartphone and there is no need to purchase a plastic SIM from the cellular operator and wait for a courier to bring it. The use of technology allowed the miniaturization of smartphones and their better impermeability against moisture and dust.
How do you switch from an operator with an eSIM?
All that is needed to switch between cellular operators with an eSIM is to scan a QR on the company's website without having to wait to receive a physical SIM card, or call customer service and talk to the company's representatives.
The major cellular operators did not launch this technology in Israel, apparently in order to prevent an easy transition of their customers between the companies. Now this barrier has also come down. It is worth noting that until today the cellular operators offered the technology in smart watches and Pelephone also offered it to buyers of Global SIM - call service and surfing packages abroad.
Pelephone's announcement doesn't just come out of thin air, the launch comes as a result of last week's announcement by the Ministry of Communications that it is working to oblige cellular companies to activate eSIM services in the coming months.
According to the Minister of Communications, Dr. Shlomo Karai, "the entry of an eSIM into the Israeli communications market will make it easier in the current reality for the evacuees and the hundreds of thousands of our soldiers in the reserves to move around easily and without the need for a physical card. The move is expected to make the packages abroad cheaper for every family, while allowing them to easily switch to another provider and an affordable package adapted to their ability.'
Which smartphones are supported?
Already today there is a respectable selection of smartphones that support eSIM, for example, Samsung's flagship models (from the Galaxy S20 and its foldable smartphones, the Z series) and also the iPhone models starting with the iPhone 11, the OnePlus 12 that was just launched in Israel and the Xiaomi 13T (it is important to note that models Predecessors of the 13 series supported eSIM in Israel, but required changing the country settings Israel to another country and the current model supports it without making the adjustments).
On the occasion of the launch, Pelephone offers those who join the fifth generation route with an eSIM a benefit of up to NIS 300 for the purchase of packages abroad.