How Can Students Save on International Roaming by Using an eSIM?

Moving to the UK for higher studies is a one-of-a-kind experience. 

You’re young, you have the energy to explore and learn, and you come face-to-face with numerous cultures from across the globe. 

And one thing that’s going to be by your side throughout your stay in the UK is your mobile phone. 

But foreign students have another issue that they have to deal with when it comes to mobile phones. 

International roaming. 

A foreign student already has a lot on their plate; the last thing they need is a massive bill because they used mobile data to video call their parents to inform their safe arrival. 

An effective counter to scenarios like this is to use an eSIM for international roaming. 

We’ve discussed more on this topic in the sections below. Head right in! 

What is International Roaming and Why is It Costly? 

International roaming lets you use your phone outside your home network. Your home network is the one that your SIM card is registered to, and the visiting network is everything else outside of it.  

Your phone connects to a local network when you make or receive a call, send a text message, or use data outside your home network. This happens when the local network has a partnership with your service provider. But this partnership comes at a cost, usually double, which the user has to bear. 

But why is it expensive when it’s basically the same but in a different country? 

Well, there are two major reasons why. 

• Service Provider Partnerships: Your home network pays a hefty fee when you use the visiting network’s resources to use mobile services. 
• Currency: The exchange rates of currencies also have a role to play in huge international roaming charges. 

Taxes and oligopolistic behaviour also have an impact on international roaming charges. 

What is an eSIM and How Does It Work? 

Now onto the focal point of the article. 

An eSIM is short for embedded Subscriber Identity Module. It is pretty similar to a traditional SIM card. The only major difference is that eSIMs come pre-built in your smartphone. You just have to download an eSIM profile from Lyca Mobile and activate it. This is unlike traditional SIM cards that have to be manually inserted into your device and activated. 

You also have to wait for the physical SIM card to arrive by mail. This is not the case with eSIMs that can be downloaded from anywhere, at any time. 

eSIMs are also immune to theft or being misplaced. Plus, they are also secure against certain types of SIM swapping. This makes eSIMs a safer and technologically advanced alternative to traditional SIM cards. 

How eSIM Helps Students Save Money 

eSIMs bring many benefits to students, especially those who’re from other countries and those who’d like to travel a lot. The sections below talk about the different ways eSIMs help students save money. 

No Expensive Per-Day Roaming Charges 

Bill shock is one of the biggest problems students face. They may, absentmindedly, turn on mobile data to send a message or make a video call back home. But they end up being charged extra, leaving a dent in their expenses. 

eSIMs handle this issue very well. The student can purchase a Lyca Mobile PAYG or PAYM plan with an eSIM from their home country, and it will be activated automatically upon landing. This completely eliminates the stress associated with bill shock. 

The student can also rest easy knowing that they have a functional mobile connection that will serve them throughout their stay in the UK. The same also applies to students who’re visiting other countries in the EU, as select Lyca UK plans include data roaming benefits as well. 

Affordable Data Packages 

Students will need data for numerous purposes. From researching for projects and presentations to accessing their university’s dedicated portal and navigating the city using maps or hiring a taxi after a night out or a football game, the average student will find a need for mobile data on a daily basis. 

Also, let’s not forget about entertainment. Students need at least a little bit of social media scrolling to beat the stress. 

But finding a mobile plan that offers a lot of data at a pocket-friendly price is a mountainous task. 

Thankfully, Lyca Mobile has the solution to that. Some of its high-data plans start at as little as £7.50 per month. This gives students the freedom to plan and follow a fixed monthly budget while still having some money they can spend on themselves. 

Pay Only for What You Need 

This is something that’s unique to pay-as-you-go (prepaid) plans. 

Lyca Mobile’s PAYG plans come with a bunch of national and international benefits along with super-fast 5G data. These benefits are fixed for each month. You just have to renew the plan after expiry, which is usually 30 days. 

Post renewal, you will get the same benefits at the start of the next 30-day cycle. 

Lyca Mobile has numerous PAYG plans with varying benefits. Browse through them to pick one that suits your needs.  

Avoid Multiple Local SIM Purchases 

With a Lyca Mobile eSIM, you can forget about purchasing multiple SIM cards. A single PAYG or PAYM plan includes all the benefits the average student needs, like super-fast 5G data, local calling and texting, international minutes, and dedicated roaming data to be used in select countries. 

This eliminates the inconvenience of having one number for roaming and another for local calls. 

Comparing Costs: International Roaming vs. eSIM for Students 

International roaming costs vary from network to network. Here’s a rough estimate of how much they cost. 

 These numbers are pretty scary to look at. All you have to do is get a Lyca UK eSIM, which comes preloaded with high-speed 5G data and local and international benefits. Not only does a Lyca UK eSIM counter these exorbitant roaming charges, you also get a UK number that you can use during your stay in the UK. 

How to Choose the Best eSIM Plan for Students 

Choosing the best eSIM plan for students can be quite tricky. There are plenty of plans available, and it gets confusing which one to choose. 

Thankfully, we have the solution. Refer to the pointers below to choose an eSIM plan that will serve you throughout your student life in the UK. 

• Budget: This is a vital factor when choosing eSIM plans, especially for students. The eSIM plan must not be too expensive, as it will leave a dent in the student’s monthly expenses. The perfect eSIM plan will have the ideal balance of benefits and affordability, like the Lyca UK Plan Super Extra. 
• Data Allocation: Mobile data is critical to student life. As a result, the PAYG or PAYM plan you purchase must include plenty of high-speed data. Opt for an unlimited plan if you have the budget. The UK Plan Mega Plus and the UK Plan Unlimited are great options. 
• Local Calls & Texts: Pick a UK eSIM plan that has local calling and texting benefits. Even if not unlimited, make sure to choose a plan that has at least 1000 local minutes and texts. All Lyca Mobile PAYM and PAYG plans come with dedicated local minutes and messages. 
• International Calls & Texts: This is a good-to-have feature. Choosing a plan with international calls and texts comes in handy when you’re going on those weekend trips to other countries in the EU and around the world. 

How Students Can Switch from Roaming to eSIM: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Bill shock is something that many first-time visitors to the UK have to deal with. Fortunately, getting a Lyca Mobile eSIM tackles this expensive mistake. The section below talks about the steps involved in deactivating roaming and purchasing a Lyca Mobile PAYG or PAYM plan with an eSIM bundle. 

Turn Off International Roaming 

Let’s start off with toggling off international roaming. Here’s how to do it on an iPhone. 

Step 1: Open the Settings app. 

Step 2: Tap on Cellular or Cellular Data. 

Step 3: Choose your primary line. 

Step 4: Toggle Data Roaming off. 

Follow the steps below to disable data roaming for Android devices. 

Step 1: Open the Settings app. 

Step 2: Tap on Network & Internet (or) Connections. (Depends on your device) 

Step 3: Tap on Mobile Networks. 

Step 4: Toggle Data Roaming off for your primary line. 

Purchase an eSIM Online 

Now that you’ve turned off data roaming, the next step is to purchase a Lyca Mobile PAYG or PAYM plan with an eSIM. 

Head to the official Lyca Mobile UK website and browse through the various PAYG and PAYM plans available. Once you’ve made your decision, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Click on the Buy now button. You can also click on the View more link to understand the plan’s benefits and terms and conditions. 

Step 2: In the basket, choose the eSIM option. You also get the option to add a top-up and another line. Click on Checkout now to proceed. 

Step 3: In the Delivery & Payment page, input your First Name, Last Name, and Email Address. Click on Confirm & continue to proceed. 

Step 4: Choose a mode of payment from the options available. 

Step 5: Review the Order summary section and click on the Confirm and pay button. 

Complete the purchase to buy your Lyca Mobile plan + eSIM bundle. 

Install via QR Code 

After successful purchase, Lyca Mobile will send you a confirmation email with the activation QR code. Simply scan the QR code using your smartphone and follow the prompts to complete the activation process. 

Note that you will need a working internet connection to activate an eSIM. 

Keep Home SIM for OTPs 

Congratulations on activating your Lyca Mobile plan + eSIM bundle. Now that you have a functional UK number, you can use your primary number to receive OTPs and other important images. The Lyca Mobile eSIM will be your companion throughout the duration of your stay in the UK. 

Conclusion 

The average student in the UK has a lot of challenges to deal with. These challenges are twofold for international students. 

A pocket-friendly mobile plan helps ease some of these hardships. 

Most Lyca Mobile PAYG and PAYM plans come with blazing-fast 5G data, local and international calling benefits, and roaming data that can be used in the EU. 

So, get a Lyca Mobile eSIM + plan bundle and enjoy all the convenience it has to offer. You can also purchase the eSIM and install it in your home country. Your eSIM will be automatically activated as soon as you land in the UK and connect to the Lyca Mobile network. 

FAQs 

Can I keep my home SIM active while using a Lyca Mobile eSIM? 

Yes, you can keep your home SIM active while using a Lyca Mobile eSIM. Your home SIM will be used for OTPs and other important messages, while your Lyca Mobile eSIM takes care of your local calling, texting, and data needs. 

Can students top up data on an eSIM? 

Yes, students can top up data on an eSIM. They have to use Lyca Mobile’s quick top-up feature that allows them to add data to their account in a few simple clicks. 

Will eSIM affect WhatsApp or banking apps? 

No, your Lyca Mobile eSIM will not affect your WhatsApp or other banking apps. The eSIM will just provide the internet access required to be used with these apps.