Joy Agwunobi
The global travel connectivity market is entering a new phase of transformation as the embedded SIM (eSIM) continues to reshape how travellers access mobile networks across borders. A new report by Juniper Research projects that revenues from travel eSIM packages will reach $1.8 billion by the end of 2025, representing an 85 percent increase from $989 million recorded in 2024.
The explosive growth, according to the study, is being driven by the rising affordability and flexibility of eSIM packages, which are increasingly viewed as cost-effective alternatives to traditional mobile roaming services.
Unlike the conventional plastic SIM cards, the eSIM is digitally embedded within devices, enabling users to remotely switch between network operators and manage multiple profiles, a feature that particularly benefits international travellers seeking seamless connectivity.
Juniper Research attributes the momentum behind travel eSIM adoption to the intensifying competition among service providers. Lower entry barriers and the emergence of Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) platforms have simplified infrastructure and service management processes, enabling more businesses to quickly roll out eSIM-based travel offerings.
This evolving ecosystem, the report noted, is compelling providers to differentiate through pricing strategies and value-added features, as consumers increasingly compare the quality, coverage, and convenience of competing services.
It further revealed that travel eSIMs are reshaping global connectivity, offering travellers predictable costs at lower prices compared to traditional roaming, a key factor expected to drive adoption sharply upward. The study forecasts nearly 600 million travel eSIM acquisitions by 2030, signalling a structural shift in how people access mobile data abroad.
Juniper also highlighted that smartphone manufacturers are accelerating this trend. Apple’s aggressive move toward eSIM-only devices, alongside growing support from Android manufacturers, is making the technology increasingly unavoidable. The report added that Millennials and Gen Z, who are more comfortable with digital-first services, are driving uptake, while international travel itself is rebounding strongly with the number of global travellers projected to exceed one billion by the end of 2025.
Key statistics from the report project a $8.7 billion global travel eSIM revenue by 2030, representing a 380 percent increase between 2025 and 2030.
Looking ahead, Juniper forecasts that more network operators will launch their own travel eSIM packages in 2026 to complement existing roaming services. This move will be essential for retaining market share and preventing revenue losses to independent eSIM providers that have capitalised on the digital roaming revolution.
“As third parties increasingly integrate themselves into the telecoms sphere, it will be pivotal in 2026 that operators launch their own travel eSIM services to compete and retain as much revenue as possible from mobile roaming,” said Molly Gatford, senior research analyst at Juniper Research.
Operators face pressure to reinvent roaming models
A related insight by Thales Group underscores how the rapid global uptake of travel eSIMs is fundamentally disrupting traditional roaming models while simultaneously unlocking new opportunities for mobile network operators (MNOs).
Thales observed that while third-party providers have simplified cross-border connectivity for travellers, MNOs still hold strategic advantages including strong brand recognition, trusted partnerships, regulatory know-how, and the ability to deliver bundled services that go beyond data access.
“Competition has intensified, as independent eSIM providers offer appealing packages to savvy travellers. Yet, despite this disruption, MNOs are strategically positioned to capitalise on the shift. Their established brands inspire confidence, and global roaming partnerships can be leveraged to design competitive, trustworthy eSIM bundles,” Thales noted.
MNOs also enjoy a regulatory edge through local language support, electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) compliance, and the ability to deliver voice and SMS services in markets where alternative communication apps face restrictions. These factors, the report suggests, could help operators reclaim market share by creating secure, customer-focused travel eSIM solutions.
Thales cited major operators such as Bouygues Telecom, Orange, and Vodafone as early adopters successfully integrating eSIM into their roaming strategies. These market leaders, it said, have begun bundling flexible travel eSIM packages, launching targeted promotions to raise awareness, and forming local and regional partnerships to tap new revenue opportunities while serving global travellers across hundreds of destinations.
However, the transition is not without challenges. For most operators, the key question remains how best to implement a scalable and compelling eSIM strategy. Thales explained that operators generally have three strategic pathways to choose from. The first is building an in-house solution, which offers greater control and customisation but is often resource-intensive and less adaptable to rapid market changes.
The second approach involves partnering with established eSIM specialists to accelerate deployment; this method allows operators to enter the market quickly but comes with trade-offs in terms of autonomy and long-term control. The third and increasingly popular route is leveraging white-label eSIM management platforms, which provide a balance between flexibility and operational efficiency, enabling operators to launch competitive offerings while minimising development costs and time to market.
eSIM: A threat turned opportunity
Ultimately, experts agree that the rise of eSIM technology marks not a threat but a strategic inflection point for mobile operators willing to innovate. By leveraging their existing trust capital, technological expertise, and global partnerships, operators can transform traveller connectivity into a core revenue stream.
As global travel recovers and mobile users increasingly seek seamless connectivity, the growing adoption of eSIM technology is set to reshape the very foundation of international mobile access. For network operators, analysts warn that this is a defining moment; those that innovate and adapt quickly will thrive in the evolving digital roaming landscape, while those that hesitate risk being left behind in a rapidly changing connectivity future.
