- 1.3 billion people already own smartphones that support eSIM globally today
- Travel ESIM delivery is expected to rise from 70 million to 280 million by 2030, reports allegations
- Special providers are targeted at international travelers and offer alternatives to lower costs to traditional roaming
The global eSIM market shows signs of dramatic expansion, with current forecasts suggesting that 1.3 billion people already own a compatible smartphone, a figure expected to surpass 3 billion by 2030.
New figures from the analyst company CCS Insight say that travel Esims are especially driving growth, with the number delivered worldwide, which is expected to rise from 70 million by 2024 to 280 million by the end of the decade.
Market value is expected to exceed $ 4.4 billion, driven by increasing international travel and higher confidence with eSIM technology.
Disorder for traditional operators
Special providers such as Airalo and Holafly are aggressively targeted at international travelers and offer alternatives to lower costs to traditional roaming plans.
In April 2025, Airalo reported 20 million customers, which effectively doubled its base in less than one year.
Meanwhile, some carriers and other travel-focused companies have begun to offer their own ESIM services, which further challenges the mobile operators’ one-proof roaming revenue.
Only a handful, including Vodafone and Orange, have reacted with comparable eSIM settings, with analysts who suggest that operators must carefully balance defensive strategies with opportunities to engage new or lapsed customers, expand to additional countries and diversify offers.
CCS Insight found that North America leads adoption, with almost one fifth of international trips already using Travel Esims.
Forecasts indicate that this will rise to 41% by 2030, reflecting the widespread use of ESIM-CAPABABLE DEVICES, including ESIM-KUN iPhones introduced since 2022.
When use spreads, the best ESIM choices for Europe and Asia, which are very large markets, will probably also affect global purchasing decisions.
With the spread of eSIMs, the original advantage that raises eSIM specialists that possesses can be reduced, leading to commoditization.
Analysts expect consolidation and diversification in the sector as saturation reduces the options of disturbance.
For global mobile operators, falling roaming fees represent a clear threat to revenue – however, it is also a chance to consider business models and explore new services in a rapidly changing landscape.
“Travel ESIMs revolves the traditional roaming market upside down. The influx of new players, a sharp price drop, and the movement towards remote delivery changes the way people think of being connected when they walk away,” said Kester Mann, director of consumer and connection at CCS Insight.
