Travel eSIMs: Built on Convenience, Not Compliance

Travel eSIM apps exploded in popularity because they looked simple: download, activate, connect. But behind the convenience was a dangerous truth:

• Many operated without licences

• Few complied with telecom regulations

• Most offered no guarantees on data security or continuity

For individuals, that meant cheap short-term roaming. For businesses, it meant exposure to compliance risks and potential data breaches.

Now regulators have caught up – and the loopholes are closing.

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The Global Crackdown

Across the world, governments are moving fast:

• Turkey (2025): Banned eight global eSIM providers for breaking data localisation laws.

• India (2024): Ordered Airalo and Holafly removed from app stores over fraud and compliance breaches.

• Australia, Brazil, China, UAE: All tightening oversight with stricter licensing and security requirements.

The verdict is clear: eSIMs are not just apps, they are telecom services. And telecoms require licensing, accountability, and regulatory oversight.

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Why This Matters for Businesses

For businesses, these regulatory changes carry big implications. It’s no longer just about convenience – it’s about security, compliance and reliability.

When employees travel internationally, they need uninterrupted network that doesn’t put company data or compliance obligations at risk. With unlicensed providers being blocked or restricted, relying on “grey market” eSIMs creates unnecessary risk.

By partnering with a licensed operator like plan.com, businesses can:

• Ensure employees remain connected worldwide under a compliant and regulated framework.

• Protect sensitive data by routing traffic through trusted, secure networks.

• Gain peace of mind knowing mobile connectivity is backed by proper infrastructure and oversight.

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The Trusted Alternative: Licensed Roaming Bolt-Ons

Roaming bolt-ons from licensed operators offer the same flexibility as eSIMs – without the risks.

Compliance by design – services built under national telecom regulation.

Secure routing – data handled through trusted networks, never exposed to unmanaged systems.

Reliability – bolt-ons are part of established business mobile contracts, not unlicensed apps that can vanish overnight.

Predictable costs – businesses know exactly what they’re paying for.

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Why Businesses Choose plan.com

At plan.com, trust is not a slogan – it’s built into everything we do.

• 99.9% uptime across our core network infrastructure.

• 100% of customer traffic routed through our UK transit network, giving every user a secure UK IP address and ensuring data is protected under UK privacy standards.

• Regulated by Ofcom – meeting the same stringent obligations as the UK’s largest networks.

• Trusted by thousands of UK businesses and partners, from SMEs to enterprise.

And it’s not just about connectivity – it’s about confidence. Our platform, my.plan, gives partners and customers real-time visibility and control over every SIM, device, and byte of data.

Our CTIO, Gregg Knowles, sums it up:

What Partners Should Ask

When choosing a mobile partner, don’t stop at marketing claims. Ask the questions that matter:

• Are they licensed and regulated?

• Do they comply with telecom and data security laws?

• Can they guarantee long-term reliability and service continuity?

Providers built on grey areas are disappearing. The ones that thrive will be those that built on trust, compliance, and security from the start.

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The Bottom Line

The eSIM market isn’t collapsing – it’s maturing. As regulators clamp down, the winners will be licensed operators who combine innovation with trust.

With plan.com you get:

• The flexibility of eSIMs and roaming bolt-ons

• The security of a regulated UK operator

• The trust of a platform designed for business

Become a plan.com partner and give your customers more than connectivity. Give them certainty they can trust.