Globe introduces eSIM in the Philippines

Globe Telecom is the first to introduce the embedded Subscriber Identification Module (eSIM) in the Philippines. It is a virtual embedded SIM that cannot be removed as it is pre-installed in mobile and wearable devices.

“With the introduction of eSIM, Globe further strengthens its position as the country’s mobile innovation leader. This new technology enhances our customers’ experience and the way they live their digital lifestyle. The eSIM is also consistent with our initiative to reduce plastic use as part of our sustainability commitments,” – Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Mobile Business

eSIMs are pre-installed in mobile and wearable devices and are equipped with automatic activation without the need for a physical SIM. Its digital management capability and automatic syncing feature also enable customers to use and manage multiple devices.

Globe stated that this move will help the environment by removing the use of plastics and paper packing for SIMs. The company is currently running tests of the eSIM technology with eSIM-enabled devices like the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and XR, as well as Apple Watch and Huawei Watch. Before the year ends, Globe customers with eSIM-enabled devices can get QR cards at Globe Stores and scan it using their phone to activate their eSIM.

At present, eSIM is only available in 10 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore.

Source: Globe

Vaughn Chua

Vaughn is your go-to person when it comes to comparing gadgets especially smartphones. He's also a gamer by heart and the "Hackerman" of the team.

19 Comments

trapik says:

6 years ago

The next question is,
will the physical SIM be open line?

or will greeeeeeediness prevail?
- Reply

Vince says:

6 years ago

Do you mean the device? Or the eSim itself? If eSim, there is a law that subscribers can retain their number (Lifetime Cellphone Number Act), I think this applies to it. If not, I hope the Senate would look into it and ratify the currently approved bill (1636).
hack__you says:

6 years ago

openline sim? thats new. I thought only phones can be openline. So i can buy sim from globe and tell smart that they should honor it XD
Qwerty says:

6 years ago

Hahahahah, 2 globe one eSim
and a physical one?

niceguy says:

6 years ago

i think they are not thinking the esim is advice if the phone number can be tranfer into other carrier if not it’s useless.
- Reply
ken2ten says:

6 years ago

duh! ayusin niyo internet connection niyo, same lang kayo ng smart so unreliable! can’t wait for the new telco to be a threat against sa inyo mga corrupt telecommunications!
- Reply
joseph says:

6 years ago

hay ano ba yan kapiranggot na plastic lang un, anong mas maaksayang o mas malaking carbon print ung kapiranggot na plasting nb un, o ung kailangan mo pang pumunta sa Globe service center para just incase need mo na talagang physical sim dahil sa change of phone unit ka,
- Reply
fraeia says:

6 years ago

Base sa mga comments, feeling ko hindi naiintindihan ng marami yung eSIM. Bale yung eSIM nasa device na mismo yun, gaya ng iPhone, hindi mo sya pwede tanggalin. Ang kailangan lang ay yung support ng telco, so kailangan mo lang i-register. Halimbawa, kung ayaw mo na ng globe, pwede mo register sa smart, so magagamit mo na sya sa smart. Wish ko lang na mas maging open sa mga posibilidad ang mga pinoy, at aralin yung mga detalye, instead na maging “toxic reactionaries”.
- Reply

Cardo Dalisay says:

6 years ago

Sila kasi yung mag pla-plan tapos tatakbo hahahahaha!
Riza says:

6 years ago

Hi frea. Pinay po ako but in UAE and yong friend ko is coming over there on sat. He was asking about this e sim and I completely have no knowledge about it. Pls advise how it work

ZudoBug says:

6 years ago

eSIMs are embedded sa phone/device mismo. Sa case ng iPhone Xs and Xs Max, the device is dual sim, 1 eSIM and 1 physical SIM. @Trapik’s question was, since the eSIM will be provided by Globe in the device, what happens dun sa physical SIM slot that be freed up? Will the physical SIM slot be locked by Globe din because of their greediness or it will be open so you can put a different network’s physical SIM. Hirap sa mga tao react agad ng react hindi muna iniintindi yung tanong. Gusto mema lang eh. I’m with @fraeia on this. People should stop being toxic reactionaries. It’s the reason why i deleted all my social media accounts last year. Now I have more peace of mind.
- Reply
iPon muna says:

6 years ago

So you mean to say na kung ang iPhone ay acquired via Globe, you can always register your new iPhone to another telco’s e-SIM?

Baka you are referring to an iPhone acquired via a non-telco seller.
- Reply
ace says:

6 years ago

Maraming nag ccomment lalo na sa FB ng negative sa Globe about this esim news. I’ve been waiting for this to happen for months na, even before na announce ang iphone xs/max/xr. Just think of the possibilities na pwede magawa ng esim na to, you can have 1 line for all your devices, Phone, watch, car security cams(raven, waylens, owl), and others. Soon maglalabasan mga device na network connected. Kudos to Apple, nappush nila mga telco to support esim dahil sa mga new devices na nilabas nila.
- Reply
Peter Paul says:

6 years ago

Hmmm, got my phone from smart, so ang tanong un esim ba nya is dpt smart din? Or will they open it to the other network?
- Reply

Efren Canzana says:

6 years ago

Your phone should be open-line (factory unlocked) if you want to have 2 different telco lines operating(smart/globe). If not, kelangan pareho ng network. Nasa apple support page yan

Jack says:

6 years ago

With all the OFWs and others, Globe and Smart should be embracing this for everyone instead of just post paid subscribers who go to a store in person.

They could make esims available for purchase online for immediate activation. It would allow a direct revenue stream and make things convenient.
- Reply