When planning a trip, security should be one of your primary concerns. Security for yourself, your belongings, your documents - so why treat your data any differently? When you’re travelling, especially across borders, mobile data can be an indispensable tool. From essential tasks like translation and navigation to finding the nearest must-visit restaurant or beach, a reliable internet connection is one of the greatest travel companions you could hope to have.
There are a range of personal measures you can take to safeguard your phone while travelling – our article on phone safety helps you do just that.
How can you keep your data safe while travelling?
Even for frequent flyers, international data roaming can be tricky to navigate – depending on your location, network supplier and personal phone contract, roaming charges can vary wildly from country to country, and mount up quickly (and often unnoticed) in your phone bill. While this is wonderful for your network provider, it’s less good for your wallet.
Using a free public Wi-Fi network while abroad, can be a cost-effective, if unsecured, way of getting online. But why have a trade-off at all? One increasingly popular method is the use of an eSIM. An eSIM allows you to roam at local rates, over a secure connection - keeping your data private and your bills low, all in one plan.
These ‘embedded’ SIMs are digital SIM profiles, downloaded straight to your phone, with no plastic card required. In essence, travel eSIMs let you connect to a local mobile network wherever you are in the world, without paying roaming charges. Think of them as a downloadable version of a local SIM card – except they can be used again and again, in different locations. They’re especially useful for international travel as they negate the need to physically switch SIM cards when travelling between countries.
Users simply order the required data plan for the country or region they’re travelling through on their phone, while maintaining all the original contacts, messages and data stored on their regular SIM. No more fumbling around for a paperclip to open your SIM tray, and no risk of losing your SIM card somewhere on holiday. Read more about using an eSIM here.
With great flexibility comes great responsibility, however. In these eSIM-enabled times of unparalleled international roaming, the onus is still on the user to protect their data. While better than relying on unknown Wi-Fi networks, switching between different mobile networks means that your device is potentially at risk in every one. An eSIM is only a valuable international travel asset if it is secure. If you’re looking for peace of mind, make sure that your eSIM, like the ones from BetterRoaming, is GSMA-certified and conforms to the highest current standards of data protection.
Using a VPN abroad
VPNs, or virtual private networks, are a popular option for seasoned international travellers who wish to protect their online data on-the-go. A VPN is software that obscures your location, IP address, and other data while online to protect you against surveillance and breaches of privacy. However, it’s wise to do some research before you pay for one – many only function in certain regions or countries, while their legality also fluctuates across borders.
Before travelling with a VPN, you first need to make sure that it is both legal and operational at every stop of your journey. Another consideration is that many services operate on monthly or even yearly subscription models – if your planned trip is shorter than that, a VPN may not be an ideal solution.
eSIMs vs traditional SIMs
One of the great benefits of eSIMs is their flexibility. As previously mentioned, BetterRoaming eSIMs automatically reconnect to the best available network when travelling. This provides a dual benefit of heightened reliability and lower costs – data use is charged local rates, avoiding spiraling international roaming charges. And with a BetterRoaming eSIM, it's impossible for costs to stack up – if you use up your available data, you simply receive a message asking if you’d like to purchase more – no rolling subscriptions and no hidden charges.
SIM card theft and scams
As eSIMs become more and more widely used, the simple fact that they require no physical SIM card means they can’t be lost or stolen in the traditional sense.
Another consideration is that plastic SIM cards have been the standard SIM format for over 30 years. This has allowed time for research, implementation and development of a number of SIM-specific hacks and crimes – some, like SIM-swap hacks or ‘pig butchering’ scams – have made headlines in recent years.
By this metric, eSIMs are safer simply by virtue of being a newer technology with a shorter history of associated crime. However, this likely won’t last forever. The more widely used eSIMs become, the more familiar and sophisticated scammers will get. Many existing SIM-related scams will also be readily adapted to target eSIM users instead.
There are a couple of steps you can take yourself to protect your data, regardless of whether you have a physical or embedded SIM.
- 1
Set up two-factor authentication. This simply means that, for someone to access your SIM data, they will also need access to your phone itself – if your SIM is lost or stolen, it will be useless without the accompanying handset.
- 2
Set a passcode for your SIM card or eSIM. This way, if your SIM is used with a new device, it will require the user to enter a password before it unlocks.
These two measures are among the quickest ways to add a basic layer of security to your personal mobile data. However, it’s also important to ensure your SIM or eSIM itself is secure.
BetterRoaming eSIMs
At BetterRoaming, our plans are designed to give you peace of mind while travelling – respite from unexpected roaming charges, patchy network connections and the tedium of switching network providers and SIM cards across every border.
Along with the wider general benefits of eSIMs outlined above, BetterRoaming is GSMA-certified – an internationally recognized accreditation denoting the highest levels of network security.
A quick outline of ways to keep your SIM data safe while travelling
Travel eSIMs allow you to browse at local rates abroad, by automatically connecting to the local mobile network, wherever you are
Being connected to several different networks can open your device up to an increased risk of data breaches if not adequately protected
Be careful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks – only join networks you trust
VPNs are a useful tool for protecting your data at home and abroad – however it’s important to research which one will be suitable for your destination before you travel
GSMA-certified eSIMs and SIM cards, like BetterRoaming eSIMs, provide industry-leading levels of data protection while roaming
GSMA accreditation is an essential factor to consider when shopping for eSIM plans, especially if you are considering international travel
Whether you've off to France for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Germany for Euro 2024, or any of the other 160+ destinations we cover, travel smart with these tips.
