I’m all the time in search of journey hacks to save cash and get extra bang for my buck.
I lately got here throughout a longtime eSIM supplier that has simply began providing free eSIM knowledge plans for journey.
Sure, free.
It appeared too good to be true, so I did some analysis and tried it out. The outcomes had been shocking.
Pleasantly shocking.
The sensation of free cell knowledge!
Methods to get a Free eSIM Plan for Journey in 5 Minutes
I’ll get straight to the purpose so you possibly can set up and use your free eSIM from GigSky in just some minutes – no fee technique required! As a bonus, I’ll present you find out how to declare free additional credit score as effectively.
Later, I’ll clarify the way it works and share my expertise with it, together with a bit extra element in regards to the firm behind it – GigSky.
Let’s dive in.
1) Firstly, examine in case your smartphone is suitable with eSIM expertise. In case you already know the reply, then skip this step. In case your cellphone doesn’t have an embedded eSIM chip, then you definately’re out of luck, sorry.
2) Now go to this free eSIM plan web page and sort your required vacation spot within the search field (eg. France) to make sure its lined. In case you’re not travelling but, you possibly can simply enter your own home nation.
3) This may redirect you to the nation web page (France on this case). Scroll down, and also you’ll see the free knowledge plan for 100MB. Click on on this.
4) The paid plans might be bought through the web site, nevertheless the free plan can solely be claimed on the GigSky cell app. A pop-up will seem. Click on the button “Proceed within the GigSky App”. In case you’re on a cell gadget, you’ll robotically be directed to the related app retailer primarily based in your working system. In case you’re on a desktop laptop, you’ll must obtain the iOS or Android app.
5) When you’ve put in the GigSky app, the primary display screen will ask you to log in. In case you didn’t create an account on the GigSky web site earlier than this level, click on “Enroll” on the backside of the display screen.
6) Enter your full identify, electronic mail, password and nation of residence. Do not forget that password since you’ll want it to log in. Click on “Click on right here” subsequent to “Have a referral code?”. On this discipline, enter “JOSH338” for a bonus US$3 credit score you need to use on future eSIM plans. When you’ve completed, press the “Create account” button. Now you’re logged in.
7) Swipe by means of the intro till you get to the app residence display screen. Beneath “Discover” kind in your required vacation spot (I used Thailand).
8) Click on on the “100MB” plan with “Free trial” subsequent to it. Try, and also you’ll see a loading animation saying “Transaction in progress” adopted by “Transaction profitable”.
9) You’re able to obtain your eSIM. Select “Sure” when prompted. This may take a couple of seconds. It’s essential that you just’re on a secure Wi-Fi connection for this step.
On Android, you’ll be prompted to make use of your new eSIM for knowledge. In case you’re prepared to start out the trial provide, faucet “Use GigSky”. Listed below are the precise eSIM activation steps for Samsung telephones and Apple iPhone.
10) When that’s accomplished, your plan is seen from the “My plans” icon on the backside of the display screen. In my case, you possibly can see my paid plan for Thailand, but it surely seems the identical for the free eSIM plan. The info allowance and remaining time/bandwidth are proven as a inexperienced bar so you possibly can simply observe your utilization.
You’re completed!
While you’ve completed attempting out the GigSky eSIM, you possibly can swap it off out of your cellphone settings. However I like to recommend that you just don’t delete it. It’s simpler to re-use the identical eSIM and simply high up or change your plan from the GigSky app – no extra fiddly eSIM set up steps!
That is the only eSIM set up course of I’ve ever used, arms down.
Is that this eSIM Actually Free?
I perceive your hesitation. The phrase “free” will get thrown round on-line far too simply.
Another eSIM suppliers provide you with a “free” eSIM however then cost for the information plan. This paradigm is a carryover from the outdated days of utilizing plastic SIM playing cards, which had been typically bought to vacationers for a flat payment PLUS a knowledge plan. In case you search Google for “free eSIM,” you’ll discover some frustratingly outdated internet outcomes and articles that promise “free eSIM” however then say no… they’re actually simply “low price”. In case you’ve spent a couple of minutes looking round, you’ll discover there are only a few choices for a genuinely free eSIM knowledge plan.
GigSky is a very free 100MB eSIM knowledge plan. Easy as that.
You’ll be able to attempt it out any time you want to make sure you’re snug with the service and get the cling of putting in your first eSIM. It’s true – there’s no such factor as a free lunch. And GigSky is hoping that you just’ll like it and need to improve to make use of extra knowledge on a paid foundation.
However there may be completely no obligation or dedication.
You’ve acquired nothing to lose.
Who’s GigSky?
Most eSIM suppliers you’ve encountered resell another person’s companies. GigSky is completely different—it’s an precise community operator (a full MVNO), partnering with over 400 cell networks worldwide, whereas having full management over the eSIM and community. Other than with the ability to resolve community points a lot sooner, this implies GigSky customers solely want to put in a single eSIM as soon as and use the identical eSIM at each vacation spot. GigSky will robotically shift over the plan to the nation you’re in. There is no such thing as a must uninstall and re-install a brand new eSIM, which might be time-consuming and fiddly.
GigSky’s resilient multi-operator community permits them to modify customers between whole networks in case of an outage (as within the case of AT&T in america in February 2024).
Along with masking 190 international locations, GigSky is the one eSIM supplier to supply service on 190 cruise ships, offshore (within the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea), and on flights from 20 airways.
Primarily based in Silicon Valley, the epicentre of tech innovation, GigSky has a protracted historical past of innovation since its inception in 2010. They began collaborating with Apple in 2014 to develop eSIM expertise for knowledge roaming, which was publicly launched within the first eSIM-compatible iPhone in 2018. GigSky helped Apple develop its proprietary eSIM for iPad and each corporations partnered collectively to standardise eSIM by means of the business physique GSMA.
GigSky has additionally teamed up with Visa to supply 800 million complimentary knowledge plans for customers with Visa playing cards from partnering issuers. You’ll be able to examine your eligibility by clicking “examine eligibility” from the GigSky app’s residence display screen.
GigSky additionally serves enterprise shoppers as one of many largest international mobile suppliers for the airline business, delivering entry not only for airline pilots and upkeep staff however for core elements of the aeroplane itself. There’s a superb purpose GigSky is trusted to supply mission-critical international knowledge service to dozens of airways, avionics corporations and even the U.S. Division of Protection.
Their popularity is rock strong.
Methods to Select an eSIM Knowledge Plan
Okay, so that you’ve tried the free eSIM plan, and also you need to take the subsequent step. Right here’s the method to comply with.
Begin with the vacation spot. Are you going to only 1 nation or a number of? GigSky affords regional eSIM plans for Europe, North America, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Center East, and Africa. Or if you happen to’re an excellent globetrotter, there’s a World 30-day plan, too.
Subsequent, determine on the size of time you want cell knowledge. You need to activate the eSIM as quickly as you stroll off the aircraft so you possibly can guide a rideshare or examine public transport schedules. Relying on the vacation spot, GigSky plans begin at 7 days and stretch as much as 90 days.
Lastly, calculate how a lot knowledge you want. In case you’re unsure, attempt these 2 free calculators to calculate a month-to-month quota: easy and extra advanced. If I’m attempting laborious, I can get all the way down to 2GB monthly, however a median month of travelling would require 6-10GB as a benchmark.
Right here’s my easy information:
- Gentle customers will simply browse social media and publish the odd picture of sipping an espresso in entrance of the Trevi Fountain. 100-400MB of information per day ought to suffice.
- Mid-range customers may obtain giant app updates, browse numerous high-quality photographs on social media, and stream journey movies on YouTube, so knowledge utilization can add up in a short time. Between 300-500MB of information per day ought to be sufficient for many travellers.
- Heavy customers could tether a laptop computer and obtain giant attachments for distant work, or run offsite backups. That might drive up knowledge utilization to 500-800MB per day.
You’re higher off selecting a plan that’s slightly too small after which upgrading it later slightly than going with a plan that’s too huge and paying for knowledge you’re not utilizing. Additionally, attempt turning on knowledge utilization limits to obtain a notification once you get near utilizing up your allowance.
My Expertise utilizing GigSky’s Journey eSIM
I attempted utilizing GigSky on a current 1-week journey to Thailand. The complete course of, from starting to finish, was easy and easy.
The free eSIM knowledge plan solely included a 100MB knowledge quota, which I knew wouldn’t be sufficient, so I upgraded to the 5GB (30-day) plan. It turned out to be overkill, and I may have survived with the cheaper 3GB (15-day) plan.
The community reliability was strong – each in huge cities and distant seashores with obtain speeds hovering above 20Mbps. A couple of instances, the community would fall again from 4G/LTE to the slower HSPA+ connectivity customary (which is a hybrid of the 3G and 4G requirements). Throughout these dips, the velocity would drop to round 13Mbps – see this screenshot:
Contemplating the situation’s remoteness on the time, I used to be fairly pleased with that. There have been zero drop-outs and no downtime in any respect for the complete week. I used to be an eagle eye nit-picking the community ping time, jitter and different technical stats, however a median traveller would by no means discover the distinction.
Notice: Like most eSIM suppliers, GigSky does NOT bundle a standard cellphone quantity with the eSIM plans. Nonetheless, that doesn’t actually trouble most travellers who use apps like Facetime, WhatsApp, Fb Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, Line, Viber, or Sign to remain in contact. All these apps work over the Web wherever on the earth.
Professional Ideas on your Free eSIM from GigSky
Begin early
You may get an eSIM plan from GigSky as much as 30 days earlier than your meant begin date. If that is your first time utilizing an eSIM, I don’t suggest leaving it to the final minute. Depart the day earlier than your journey for issues like frantically packing a suitcase.
As an alternative, get conversant in the eSIM set up course of. Listed below are step-by-step directions for Samsung Galaxy, different Android, and Apple iPhone.
Notice: solely “activate” the eSIM (the ultimate step) when you’ve arrived at your vacation spot.
Hotspot it prefer it’s scorching
When you’ve got a number of gadgets, you need to use your cellphone as a hotspot (additionally referred to as “tethering”) with GigSky. That is superb if you happen to use a pill or laptop computer along with your cellphone or if you happen to’re travelling with a associate or in a bunch. Simply bear in mind to show off any apps in your laptop computer that may use knowledge within the background (akin to working system updates). Or, to be protected, merely disconnect from the hotspot once you’re not utilizing it. I realized that lesson the laborious manner. Ouch!
Get assist
In case you get caught, 24×7 assist is obtainable from GigSky. Merely open a assist ticket, fill within the contact kind, ship an electronic mail, or name +1 650 924 9022 (US) or +44 203 608 0394 (UK). Sadly, there may be not a dwell chat possibility on their web site for now.
Tip: Make a remark of those contact particulars in Google Maintain so you probably have an emergency once you’re travelling, the contact particulars can be in inside attain (and received’t require the Web).
Regulate your knowledge stability
You is perhaps used to a big or an “limitless” knowledge allowance on your own home SIM, so monitoring your knowledge utilization may really feel a bit bizarre. It’s a superb behavior to get into. That manner, you received’t be caught on a Seine River cruise with none connection to the surface world. Learn up on find out how to observe your knowledge utilization on iOS or Android.
The Backside Line
There you have got it. One of many first really free eSIM knowledge plans for journey, and from one of many high eSIM business gamers, if not, THE high. They actually wrote the usual for eSIMs with Apple that everybody makes use of as we speak.
GigSky is now providing 100MB of information utilization without spending a dime to check out their service. There actually aren’t any strings connected. In case you’re tremendous gentle on knowledge utilization (with occasional pre-downloaded Google Maps, and a rideshare or two) then it’d even final you for 1-2 day journey.
However when you’ve had a style of GigSky’s eSIM knowledge service, I’m assured you’ll need extra, similar to I did.