BICS teams with Carrefour on ‘travel eSIM’ solution, making it easier and cheaper for customers to use phones abroad

Carrefour has announced a partnership with 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, according to a press release, “a more affordable option than traditional roaming rates, depending on the operator”.  

BICS is providing 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, according to those involved. 

The aforementioned press release notes: “With the European summer holiday season just around the corner, these travel eSIMs arrive just in time for holidaymakers and travellers 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 digitalises 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 increased 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 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.