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I didn’t know this either, but found this!
https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/O2-announces-eSIM/m-p/1253235#M31761
I moved my main number to eSIM last year when it first came out. I left it there the last year. I assume my new iPhone will come with a physical SIM installed that will activate with my number on it. Any idea? I did have two lines for a while but canceled the one on the physical SIM after several months.
Here's a slightly different scenario. I want to use a UK SIM while traveling in Netherlands, and have my US phone line only use "wifi calling" to connect via mobile data. Trying to avoid any US carrier extra charges (outrageous rates) during the trip, but leave the line enabled for wifi calling and wifi SMS to folks back home.
If the UK SIM requires roaming to be enabled (to allow 'roam like at home' service with no extra charges, due to EU roaming behavior), it seems that would also enable roaming for the US phone line.
I don't see a way to restrict data and voice roaming to just the UK SIM's line.
Any suggestions?
I may be a bit behind the times, but I'm still confused about dual sim capabilities. Is it correct that it's not possible to have two 4G sims?
So, if one has a sim from a network that only supports 3/4/5G (e.g. Three UK) then it can't be used as a secondary sim; and if one is in a country (e.g. Taiwan) that has turned off 2G (and soon 3G) networks then the secondary sim won't work?
If that's the case, it seems pretty useless for me unfortunately.
So, if one has a sim from a network that only supports 3/4/5G (e.g. Three UK) then it can't be used as a secondary sim; and if one is in a country (e.g. Taiwan) that has turned off 2G (and soon 3G) networks then the secondary sim won't work?
If that's the case, it seems pretty useless for me unfortunately.
That's incorrect. The restriction is with CDMA (Verizon) because there is only 1 CDMA radio in the handset. But it's isn't a speed restriction. You can have any 2 GSM at LTE. The speed restriction on LTE/4G/3G on any GSM SIM is determined by the carrier.
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Turn off data roaming from the US carrier side or get a local SIM. If you have Verizon, use the Message+ app and turn your US line off completely while traveling. If you set it up right, you can still send/receive calls & texts via that app while traveling and you'd be using the UK SIM data.
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This contradicts what they say at Three UK:
http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI...cat=simsupport,varset_subcat=,Case=obj(41848)
"You can’t use 2 Three SIMs in one device, because you can only use one 3G or 4G SIM at a time, and Three don’t support the 2G network. ... Your secondary SIM will only work on 2G, which we don’t support"
Or am I not understanding your reply? That's quite likely
I basically need both SIMs to work at 3G or 4G at the same time as I'm often in a country with no 2G support.
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Looking at Verizon's configuration options, it doesn't sound possible to turn off PAYG international service on a line...the pages I'm reading say that if you don't choose a plan, you get the PAYG by default.
BUT, then on my line I see I've got TravelPass and PAYG set up, and the other lines on my plan have nothing. So it's not clear to me if I really could turn off all international access on my line and have it just go to "no service" while outside USA?
I looked at Message+ and didn't see a way to use it for calling on the phone...only for text messages. Verizon's help pages mention calling on another device such as an iPad though?
I use it for calls when I travel on mine so you can definitely use it, incoming and outgoing. Your Verizon line has to be off for the calling feature to show up. That's how I use it. It's meant to be used on a 2nd device. It just works for my other purposes as well.
This contradicts what they say at Three UK:
http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI...cat=simsupport,varset_subcat=,Case=obj(41848)
"You can’t use 2 Three SIMs in one device, because you can only use one 3G or 4G SIM at a time, and Three don’t support the 2G network. ... Your secondary SIM will only work on 2G, which we don’t support"
Or am I not understanding your reply? That's quite likely
I basically need both SIMs to work at 3G or 4G at the same time as I'm often in a country with no 2G support.
It's correct that you can only use 1 data provider at a time but both SIMs can be LTE/4G. You can not use simultaneous data on your 2 SIMs no matter what. Hence the option for a "primary" data line. Maybe I misunderstood what you're trying to do or what you are asking. But otherwise, as stated, the speed restriction is on the carrier end, ie - Three not having 2G which would be used as a way to get texts & calls.
I have a Verizon LTE on eSIM and a Mint Mobile LTE SIM in my phone and it all works great.
Aha - I think it's because "Three" uses voice-over-data (VoLTE) which could be a European thing? So when you say you can't use simultaneous data, that could be why their SIM won't work as secondary and their website states "If your Three SIM is set up as the secondary SIM, you’ll see a No Service notice". Thanks for taking the time to explain.
My understanding is that you choose which line it uses for data in Settings>Mobile (or Cellular) Data. So you would choose the UK line and enable roaming, but switch off Mobile Data Switching so it can’t try using data from your other line. If you can’t see these options it may be because I’m on iOS 13, but as that is coming out officially next week it shouldn’t be a problem.
I’m going to be doing a similar thing next week as I’m going to New York for a few days. My phone has a Spanish Sim that will be the data line with roaming enabled, and a UK Sim.
Regarding WiFi calling, I have no idea as I don’t think it’s available to me.
Both Verizon & Mint use VoLTE (voice over LTE) so I don't think that's it. VoLTE is certainly not limited to the EU. Here's some additional information on Dual SIM VoLTE can can probably explain it better. But what I can tell you is that when I come to the UK with my US SIM in the eSIM slot (Verizon w/ VoLTE) and my Three SIM in the physical slot set for primary data, it all works great.
I assume that's because Verizon can fall back to non-VoLTE use to at least receive calls and texts when not primary, whereas Three can't. If you switch your Three SIM to secondary it'll get no service at all. Your link correctly states that Dual SIM VoLTE isn't supported by any iPhone. I suppose I could just switch the primary/secondary allocation every now and again to get any texts and voicemail notifications. That would work for me.
If only every country would get together and sort this mess of roaming charges out! Even with just one SIM it's confusing. With a Three SIM it's cheaper to leave the UK and call another European country (3p/min) than just to call that country from the UK (20p/min).
Thanks, I seem to have missed the "calls" entry when I looked at it previously. Indeed, it's working as you explained.
So what is the process for transferring eSim to a new phone? Do I need to go to At&t and get a new eSim card to be ready for Friday, or will I be able to transfer another way. I have At&t eSim and Verizon physical sim currently in my phone, new iPhone coming Friday.
I have an AT&T esim and Xfinity physical sim. AT&T rep says use the esim (blue) card we received and scan it in new phone. We’ll see on Friday if that works.
I currently have a ee e sim as primary and a three uk sim as secondary and have signal on both and both work as they should.
Thanks, I don't have that card anymore, guess I will go pick one up before Friday just to be sure.