The eSIM makes getting connected a cinch while travelling overseas. But this affordable, hassle-free solution has one caveat: it doesn’t typically come with a phone number.
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Does that even matter? Usually not, as online messaging apps are fine most of the time. But there are some situations when a real phone call is required. We’re covering all that and more in this post.
DO TRAVEL ESIMS COME WITH A PHONE NUMBER?
Most travel eSIMs, including ZenSim’s, are data-only. That means you won’t get a local phone number and can’t use standard talk and text through your eSIM.
While a small number of eSIMs do come with a phone number, they tend to be more expensive – often excessively so. For most travellers, it’s just not worth it.
We have seen some competitors offering optional voice call add-ons in certain countries. But they’re not cheap either, typically costing around US$2/min. At those rates, one long phone call will rack up a ginormous bill. The same applies to getting stuck on hold, which is infuriating enough as it is.
WHY DON’T TRAVEL ESIMS COME WITH A PHONE NUMBER?
It comes down to cost. ZenSim, and presumably many competitors, have looked into offering travel eSIMs with phone numbers. After crunching the numbers, we found that including talk and text is just not cost-effective for most travellers. We want to give our amazing customers the best value possible, and that means sticking with data-only plans.
DO TRAVEL ESIMS INCLUDE TALK &TEXT?
Typically not. If your international eSIM doesn’t come with a phone number (most don’t), it won’t work with the standard talk & text functions on your phone.
TALK & TEXT ALTERNATIVES: THE TOP ONLINE MESSAGING APPS
The easiest way to stay in touch with family and friends back home is to use an online messaging app. Here are some of the most common options in Australia, most of which support text, audio, and video calls (plus pics and GIFs for sending spicy memes).
- Facebook Messenger
- Instagram and Snapchat – big with Gen Z
- iMessage – iPhone-to-iPhone only
- Signal – best privacy
I personally rate WhatsApp, but everyone has their preferences. Make sure to teach your computer-illiterate grandmum how to use your preferred app before leaving Australia.
Other countries and regions have their own preferences for messaging apps.
- WhatsApp – Popular worldwide
- Facebook Messenger – North America, Australia & NZ
- Telegram – Russia and Eastern Europe
- WeChat – China
- Line – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand
- KakaoTalk – South Korea
- Zalo – Vietnam
- Viber – Europe, the Philippines
- Signal – Netherlands, Sweden
In my experience, many overseas businesses respond rapidly through their preferred app(s). So, instead of stuffing around trying to call a restaurant with a proper phone, you could use the data on your eSIM to call or text through WhatsApp. Messaging also helps overcome the language barrier, as you can refer to Google Translate when needed.
HOW TO MAKE PHONE CALLS WITH A DATA-ONLY ESIM?
Online messaging apps are awesome. But there may come a time when you simply must make a real, old-school phone call – say, to your bank, insurance company, or a client back home.
Don’t worry. You won’t have to pay exorbitant international calling rates. There are a few clever, cost-effective alternatives you can use.
WI-FI CALLING
One of our favourite travel hacks is ‘Wi-Fi calling.’
Instead of processing a call via a nearby phone tower, your phone uses Wi-Fi. That means you can make and receive standard phone calls with any Australian device while overseas, just as if you were back home in Australia. Your boss won’t even know you’re calling from a Balinese beach club, Bintang in hand.
To make this nifty tech work, a few things must line up:
- Your smartphone must support Wi-Fi calling
- Your Australian mobile internet provider must support Wi-Fi calling
- You must have activated the Wi-Fi calling feature in your smartphone settings
- You must call an Australian mobile or landline (won’t work for non-Australian numbers)
- You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (doesn’t work with 4G/5G mobile internet)
Most modern smartphones allow Wi-Fi calling. You should be able to confirm yours by fiddling with the settings. Likewise, most Australian telcos and MVNOs, including ZenSim, support Wi-Fi calling. See their website or call them to confirm.
You’ll need to keep your Australian SIM active, which requires a dual-SIM smartphone if you have an eSIM as well (most smartphones support dual-SIMs). Some Australian mobile providers charge a fee to keep your SIM active overseas – ZenSim doesn’t.
USING YOUR AUSTRALIAN SIM CARD
While overseas, you can use your existing Australian SIM card to make domestic and international calls and texts.
However, global roaming rates apply, which could make this solution too expensive. Check out the roaming page on your carrier’s website to confirm.
Make sure you’ve configured your phone to use your Australian SIM for calls and texts, and your eSIM for data. If you accidentally turn data on for your Aussie SIM while overseas, you could get slugged with eye-watering excess data charges.
USING ONLINE CALLING APPS
The third option is using a prepaid online phone calling app. Back in the day, everyone used Skype. But that’s gone the way of the Dodo, so you’ll need to try one of the alternative services out there.
Some options we’ve seen recommended include:
- Viber Out
- Roamless
- MyTello
With these apps, you prepay a certain amount (i.e., $10), then use your credit to make calls anywhere in the world. Rates vary between countries, but you’ll usually pay well under $0.10 per minute. That’s heaps cheaper than roaming and most locally available options.
HOW TO RECEIVE PHONE CALLS AND SMS WHILE OVERSEAS?
As your eSIM doesn’t include a phone number, you won’t be able to use it to receive standard calls and texts.
No dramas. You can still use your Aussie SIM for incoming calls and texts while overseas, often for free. That’s super handy when you need to receive 2FA text messages or somebody randomly calls you from work.
All you need to do is keep your Australian SIM active and set your phone to use it for talk and text. You should receive calls and texts as normal, though I’ve noticed SMS delays can occur, sometimes taking several hours.
Some Aussie networks charge customers to keep their plan active and/or receive calls and texts while overseas. Others, including ZenSim, offer this service for free.
If you’re travelling for a long period and need to keep an Aussie SIM active, consider prepaid top-ups or long-duration (i.e., 365-day) plans.
DO YOU NEED AN ESIM WITH A PHONE NUMBER?
Most travellers don’t need an eSIM with a phone number, as there’s a wide range of alternative ways to stay in touch. Should you need to make a real phone call, you can always look into Wi-Fi calling, roaming, or international phone-calling apps.
Keen to get connected the easy way on your next overseas trip? Check out our range of affordable, data-only travel eSIMs.
For more tech and support-related questions, see our ZenSim FAQ.
FAQs
Most travel eSIMs, including ZenSim's, are data-only. You won't get a local phone number or standard talk and text. A small number of eSIMs do include a phone number, but they're significantly more expensive and usually not worth it for the average traveller.
Yes, but not through the standard phone dialler. You can make calls using apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or FaceTime over your data connection. Alternatively, WiFi calling lets you make and receive calls on your regular Australian number while connected to WiFi - as though you never left home.
Any app that runs over internet data works fine. WhatsApp is the most widely used globally. Facebook Messenger is popular in Australia, NZ, and North America. For other regions, WeChat is dominant in China, Line in Japan and Thailand, KakaoTalk in South Korea, and Viber across Europe and the Philippines.
You have a few options. WiFi calling uses your Australian number over a WiFi connection at no extra cost if your provider supports it - ZenSim does. Prepaid calling apps like Viber Out, Roamless, or MyTello let you call any number worldwide for well under $0.10 per minute. Or you can use your Australian SIM with roaming enabled, though rates vary and can add up quickly.
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Written by
Harry Stewart
Australia-based content writer, fully-grown eater of party pies.
Harry is a remote-working article contributor zipping between picturesque places in his rusty, clapped-out motorhome. When he’s not patching holes in the roof, you’ll find him hiking national parks, researching eSIM plans, or dreaming of his next overseas getaway.
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