Two new Telstra mobile providers to start supporting eSIM

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 31 October 2023

The ranks of Australian telcos providing eSIM are about to grow by two. Both More and Tangerine will start offering the technology to customers from November 2.

Alongside Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths) they will be the only providers offering eSIM on the Telstra wholesale network which covers 98.8% of Australians.

eSIM (or embedded SIM if you're fancy) is a rewritable SIM built into your smartphone - it's an alternative to the traditional physical SIM card with which most people are familiar.

eSIM technology has a few advantages over a physical SIM number one of which is convenience. Because an eSIM is entirely digital the process for setting it up is too. This means you don't need to worry about buying a physical SIM from a store or waiting for one to arrive in the post. All you need to do is sign up for your new telco and follow its instructions.

CEO of More and Tangerine, Andrew Branson shared said “Our eSIM capabilities extend beyond hassle-free and fast activation – they also provide customers with a host of other benefits: the ability to use multiple phone numbers on a single eSIM-enabled device, no fiddly SIM swaps when travelling overseas and improved security features. eSIM technology also contributes to environmental conservation by minimising plastic waste and lowering the overall carbon footprint.”

eSIMs slow take off Australia

With More and Tangerine on board, there will now be 11 providers offering eSIM in WhistleOut's database of 28. Less than half of the tracked telcos offer eSIM.

eSIM adoption has been slow in Australia. The latest data from amaysim shows that only 11% of Australians are currently using eSIM.

While the technology has been available since 2017 Telstra only opened it up as an option to its Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in March 2021.

felix says about half of its new customers signed up with eSIM owing to the fact that its app automatically detects if a customer's phone is eSIM compatible and sets that as the default option.

You can see how More and Tangerine's SIM-only mobile plans with at least 20GB compare with other eSIM providers here:

#1	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get the $25 SIM for $9 online until 05.10.26. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#5	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#6	More	More 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27 $33.00/mth Min. cost $33 Link not supplied	$33.00/mth Min. cost $33	Link not supplied
#7	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 42GB Plan 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $23 for first renewal & includes 33GB bonus data for first 3 renewals when you sign up by 15.11.26. Online only. T&Cs apply $35.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#8	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#9	Vodafone	Vodafone $40 Prepaid Plus Recharge 90GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 60GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Telstra	Telstra $44 Pre-Paid Mobile 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 30GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 20GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

CommBank customers can get three months free on More's mobile plans when they sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the launch of eSIM from More and Tangerine has been pushed back to November 2.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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