• Vodacom has announced general smartphone support for its eSIM product.
• The technology allows you to ditch the plastic SIM cards in favour of a SIM embedded digitally onto your smartphone, which will otherwise work exactly the same.
• Vodacom has also launched a Self Rica process, where users can Rica online instead of at the shops.

The latest innovation in identity verification for cellular device users makes plastic SIM cards obsolete.

Vodacom first brought embedded SIM (eSIM) technology to South Africa in 2019 via its “OneNumber” product. This was launched initially through a partnership with manufacturer Samsung. The tech was limited, however, and for many years eSIMs were only supported on certain smartwatches and wearables.

Publication Recharged was the first to spot that the telco was preparing to launch full eSIM support for smartphones. On Tuesday, Vodacom announced that it is rolling out general eSIM support for smartphones, allowing anyone with a supported device to request an eSIM instead of a normal plastic one.

“Vodacom will now offer eSIM support for smartphones across prepaid, top-up/hybrid and postpaid contract types. This means that users with selected eSIM-enabled smartphones will be able to connect to the Vodacom network and enjoy the benefits, capabilities, and flexibility that an eSIM provides,” the telco shared in a press release sent to Hypertext.

The telco explains that “traditional SIM cards contain unique identifying information which enables a mobile phone or device to connect securely to a mobile network.” With eSIM, that same information is contained in a few lines of code which is stored on a dedicated chip inside a mobile phone or device rather than on a removable card.

This removes the need for the plastic card, which also has the benefit of being better for the environment. Also, enabled-smartphones can use eSIMs from multiple operators at once, meaning you can have a Vodacom eSIM and an MTN eSIM at the same time, for example.

Vodacom’s “introduction of eSIM support for smartphones could not have come at a better time as research shows that the number of eSIM-enabled smartphones in the market is growing rapidly,” enthused Rishaad Tayob, consumer business director at Vodacom South Africa.

“We are always looking for new ways to extend our capabilities and simplify connectivity for our customers in today’s digital world. The launch of our eSIM support for smartphones is a great example of how we strive to simplify connectivity for our customers,” they add.

Additionally, with the introduction of eSIMs, Vodacom has also enabled its new “Self Rica Process.” Now users can simply purchase a SIM pack and head online to activate it. They will still require an identity document and will need to take a selfie to perform the operation.

Users can begin the Self Rica process here.

How to get a Vodacom eSIM

Those interested in ditching their plastic can activate an eSIM at branded Vodacom outlets and all customers can now get one. However, they will require a smartphone that is eSIM enabled, otherwise the necessary information cannot be stored and thus the eSIM will not activate.

According to the eSIM terms of service, Vodacom says that some smartphones purchased from outside South Africa may not work with a Vodacom eSIM, despite them being eSIM-enabled.

Once you get to a Vodacom store with an eSIM-ready device, you can simply ask at the front desk that you either want to migrate to an eSIM or that you want to purchase a device with an eSIM installed already.

The eSIM itself will be activated via a QR Code which can be scanned on your smartphone via the “Add eSIM” menu in the SIM manager settings.

You will require an internet connection during this process, which will be provided by the Vodacom store in question. However, the telco warns against trying to activate your eSIM during loadshedding, which could lead to errors.

Otherwise, the eSIM will work the same as a plastic SIM card. You will still have to input a PIN code to gain access to the mobile network, and still have to purchase airtime or data if you are on prepaid.

[Image – Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash]