2 mins read
Travelers around the world with eSIM-enabled phones can purchase data packages from Carrefour over-the-air in a convenient, secure way, at unmatched rates
Multinational retail corporation Carrefour has today announced a partnership with international communications enabler BICS to launch a new ‘travel eSIM’ offering via its mobile operator arm. Before traveling internationally, mobile users with compatible phones can purchase a pre-paid eSIM, offering a more affordable option than traditional roaming rates, depending on the operator.
France-based Carrefour is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world. Delivered alongside BICS, this latest offering from Carrefour makes it easier and cheaper to use your phone abroad, putting the end-user in the driving seat. Instead of running the risk of high rates and ‘bill shock’ due to limited visibility over data usage, Carrefour’s prepaid eSIMs are self-managed and self-controlled.
A connectivity specialist, BICS is enabling Carrefour to easily integrate travel eSIMs into its offering. BICS provides the eSIM and coverage around the world, via its roaming network. Downloaded via a QR code, travel eSIMs allow users to connect directly to the network they’re visiting, instead of traffic traveling internationally back to their home country. This is done at a fraction of the cost of normal roaming.
With the European summer holiday season just around the corner, these travel eSIMs arrive just in time for holidaymakers and travelers to save on their phone bills and avoid the inconvenience of relying solely on hotel WiFi. While operators within the EU offer mobile roaming in France at the same price as domestic mobile data, operators from elsewhere, now including most UK operators, carry roaming charges.
“eSIMs are an exciting advancement for global connectivity”, says Jorn Vercamert, VP Customer Solutions & Products, BICS. “Consumers have yet to realise the benefits of eSIMs, but with products like this from Carrefour, that will quickly change. The eSIM digitalizes connectivity, making it available with just a few clicks. BICS is making it easy for enterprise and consumer brands to integrate global connectivity into their offerings to improve the digital experience of their end-users.”
Around since 2012, eSIMs are experiencing fast adoption at the moment due to the release of more eSIM-compatible smartphones and increased consumer awareness of eSIMs and associated services.
The release of the eSIM-only iPhone 14 was a notable step forward in both. According to the GSMA, Europe has the second-fastest rate of smartphone eSIM adoption behind North America, with more than half of European smartphone connections expected to use eSIM by the end of 2027.