As from 1 January, mobile users can now officially activate their services and change provider remotely. In April last year, the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) introduced a procedure for end-users to activate public mobile services remotely within 10 minutes of completing all the necessary steps on their device.
“This technology, called eSIM, is particularly relevant for organisations that manage a large number of communication devices, such as mobile or IoT devices. It is also relevant for ordinary users who use eSIM-enabled communication devices, as this technology enables mobile subscribers to install and migrate mobile services remotely and wirelessly,” explains Indrė Jurgelionienė, Director of the CRA’s Network Regulation Department.
According to I. Jurgelionienė, this means that communication devices that support eSIM technology do not need to insert a new plastic SIM card in order to activate or change services. Compared to a SIM card, eSIM-enabled cards contain the same subscriber and mobile network identification and authentication information. Simply eSIM additionally allows you to change operator without physically replacing the SIM card, but by managing your existing SIM profiles and downloading new SIM profiles to eSIM.
Mobile operators must follow the procedures set out by the CRA and publish detailed information on their websites about the possibility of activating services and switching service providers remotely.
However, the mobile signature service is not yet available on eSIMs, as there is currently no solution on the market that allows eSIMs to carry the certificates needed for authentication and signing.
Activation of the code is enough
Although the procedure enters into force on 1 January, mobile operators are taking different approaches to their preparations. Jaunius Špakauskas, the Head of Corporate Communications at “Bitė Lietuva”, says that they are currently in the home stretch and will introduce the eSIM service to all customers in early 2023.
“Our employees and some of our business customers have been successfully testing the new service for some time and have been very positive about it,” says J. Špakauskas.
Mobile operator “Tele2” says its private and business customers have been able to use eSIM technology on their mobile phones since the end of October this year.
“Phone manufacturers are increasing their efforts to protect their devices from moisture and dust, and eSIM is a big help by eliminating the need to open a hole through which to insert or remove the physical plastic card. Getting started with eSIM is easy, customers just need to scan the QR code they receive from the operator. Another important advantage of eSIM is security – unlike traditional SIM cards, where data can be cloned, eSIM technology has better security measures and features to mitigate risks,” says Aida Lumbytė, Product Manager at “Tele2”.
In order to start using eSIM instead of a plastic SIM card, “Tele2” customers need to have a device that supports this technology and activate a special QR code, which can be obtained by visiting any “Tele2” showroom or by calling the customer service number 117. There is no extra charge for using eSIMs, but as with plastic SIMs, there is a small one-off SIM replacement fee. Customers who already have an agreement and decide to start using eSIM will not change their existing plan, its terms and additional services ordered.
Transfer numbers on “iPhone” without leaving the sofa
“We started testing eSIM technology on smartwatches a few years ago, and for a few months now all our customers have been able to activate this service in any showroom,” says Domas Milius, Head of eSIM Service at “Telia”. – Before Christmas, we enabled the purest eSIM functionality – the ability to install a SIM card from anywhere. This functionality will also make it easier to transfer numbers to other “iPhone” devices – this will be done digitally.”
In order to install the eSIM, users need a “Telia” subscription number and the latest version of Apple iOS 16.2 operating software. You can change your plastic SIM card to an eSIM in your phone’s settings by selecting the “Mobile Data” section and clicking the “Convert to eSIM” button. In the window that pops up, you’ll need to log in to your “Mano Telia” account, select the phone number of the card you’re replacing with an eSIM and confirm your acceptance of the terms and conditions. The eSIM activation process takes just a few minutes, after which you will be able to use your mobile connection as normal.
If you’re switching on a new phone, this is done by selecting “Set Up Mobile Service” function, and if it’s not the first time you’ve used your phone, you can do this by clicking “Add eSIM” in the “Mobile Data” section. The same steps are required to transfer an eSIM from one device to another. The “iPhone XR/XS” and all newer “iPhone” models offer these capabilities.
Updated on 2023-08-01