Goodbye roaming: travel company launches universal 'install-once' eSIM

Very few things suck the joy out of travelling like being in a foreign country where your SIM card service provider has no service.

The cost of roaming is so high that it compels a lot of people to purchase a SIM card at their travel destination, which they may never be able to use again unless they visit said country again within a specified period.

To curb this, travel company KnowRoaming has unveiled KR.One, a reusable travel eSIM for all future trips. Launched on Thursday, 8 October, the eSIM offers a connected travel experience where you no longer have to roam or purchase a country-specific SIM card on every trip. Other products already available in the market are single-use only, or are plan locked, making KR.One a first for Africa for the everyday user.

With African travel having emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets, the logistical nightmare of connecting to different mobile operators, roaming tariffs and connectivity options from one country to the next no longer needs to cause you a headache

Upon activation, travellers need to keep KR.One’s profile on their device and then simply add a destination-specific data plan through the KnowRoaming App across the world.

KnowRoaming’s executive director, Michael Roffey, says given how digital travel has become in recent years, staying connected abroad should no longer be complicated.

"It’s frustrating having to scan QR codes at the airport and delete old profiles, while hoping it all works when you land.”

“With KR.One we've removed that friction. You install it once and, for every trip after that, simply add the plan you need. It's easier, more convenient and cost effective. It's the last eSIM you'll ever install,” he explained.

The eSIM can be activated in over 200 destinations spanning across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania. KnowRoaming has plans to expand KR.One’s presence to even more destinations in the next 12 to 24 months.

Japan-based analysts Juniper Research indicate that travellers using eSIM cards could save around 75% per gigabyte when compared with traditional roaming services. 

Connectivity has increasingly become a key aspect of travel and KR.One users will be able to purchase plans, monitor usage and manage connectivity across destinations using the associated mobile app.