Travel eSIM adoption is projected to grow nearly 50% annually over the next four years, driven by the transition from physical travel SIMs, broader eSIM availability in mid-low tier smartphones, and more affordable data plans, with average spending expected to remain below $15 per trip. Consumer education in low-awareness markets will be crucial to sustaining this growth.

Travel eSIMs to Capture 28% of Travel Connectivity Spending  

 Kaleido’s new Travel eSIM Outlook 2024: Market Adoption & Roaming Impact research found that traditional roaming plans are still the most common way for travellers to stay connected abroad. However, eSIM-based roaming options, though currently a minority globally, are experiencing significant growth in markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, the UAE, Brazil, and India.  

Nitin Bhas, Chief of Strategy & Insights at Kaleido commented:: “Various industry players – ranging from airlines and hotels to payment companies and retailers – have introduced their own travel eSIM services. This expansion offers travellers more choices and more flexible, cost-effective options compared to traditional roaming across expensive corridors, driving a shift toward eSIMs through trusted brands”.

Kaleido forecasts that the global travel eSIM market will account for nearly 28% of total travel connectivity retail spending in 2028, encompassing roaming, travel eSIMs, and physical SIMs. However, if mobile operators successfully target silent roamers with new retail and eSIM solutions, adoption rates could be 42% lower than current revenue predictions for 2028.

New Consumer & Business Travel & Roaming 2024 Survey Findings 

Kaleido’s International Travel Intentions & Connectivity Habits 2024 survey found that the growing importance of travel eSIMs represents a paradigm shift in how travellers stay connected abroad. 

Kaleido conducted its annual travel and roaming survey targeting leisure and business travellers across 20 global markets in June 2024, covering: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Rep., Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, UAE, UK and the US. 

Key findings from the survey include:

• Most avoid roaming due to high costs and prefer Wi-Fi or alternatives, especially in Asia. 
• Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, and Singapore lead in physical travel SIM purchases. 
• Significant travel eSIM adoption growth observed in India, Brazil, UAE, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. 
• Travel eSIM app activations now surpass QR codes, except in France, Italy, Norway, and the UK. 
• About 60% of respondents would use roaming if it were cheaper. 
• 70% of silent roamers are likely to adopt travel eSIMs if available. 
• Over 50% of users look for alternatives to roaming when costs hit $3-5 per day. 
• 75% of travellers secure travel SIM connectivity before their trip. 

About Kaleido Intelligence

Kaleido Intelligence is a specialist consulting and market research firm with a proven track record of delivering telecom research at the highest level. Kaleido Intelligence is the leading research company addressing mobile roaming and connectivity services in its entirety, covering industry-leading market insights, data forecasts, historical viewpoints, competitive intelligence and operator market surveys.

Research is led by expert industry analysts, each with significant experience delivering market research and insights that matter.