Lyca Mobile UK Finally Launches its e-SIM Service
Mobile network operator Lyca Mobile has today announced that they’ve become one of the first Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) – based off O2’s (VMO2) national platform – to launch an e-SIM service for customers in the United Kingdom.
The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which essentially embeds an electronic SIM into your device (Smartphone) and that could – once fully implemented – make it easier and quicker to switch between operators, as well as to use additional networks alongside your main mobile operator (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).
Lyca Mobile’s Chairman, Allirajah Subaskaran, said: “In today’s fast-paced world, the convenience of seamless connectivity is more important than ever. That’s why Lyca Mobile has introduced its eSIM service, providing a more convenient way to stay connected without the need for a physical SIM card. eSIMs will quickly become the norm, as they provide so many benefits to customers.”
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Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Im surprised eSIM is still so rare on virtual networks.
With iPhone likely to lose its SIM card slot you’d think networks would be eager to support eSIM and have it tested and in use before the rush to use it.
Im also hoping it means more Apple Watch support is available.
Lol voxi and smarty even lyca can do it
It didn’t go smoothly, I took out an esim with them on Friday 5th. I got an instant email stating the QR code I needed to set the esim up was attached, it wasn’t. And by the looks of twitter at the time I wasn’t the only one.
Contacted support and they eventually sent me a replacement QR code 4 days later.
This is great news for competition. I’ve not considered Lyca previously, however 3Gb of 30 Days EU roaming data for a quid is better value than all the MNOs (except O2!). By making it easier to download an eSim this should make all the networks more competitive.
Have a look on MSE and uSwitch. You will often find promotions.
I took out an esim with them almost 2 months ago. Immediately received the QR code and added to my device. The esim is showing in the device as successfully installed but I have zero reception. Lyca support and complaints teams have been useless and keep asking me for the same information over and over again – namely the ICCID and PUK. I keep sending them this information along with screenshots and videos and they tell me it has been escalated to a dedicated team of engineers to sort out. A week later I will be asked for the same information again after I’ve chased them for a response.
They have not and will not assign me phone number for the esim so I cannot create an account on their awful site to cancel the contract. I have asked them for over 2 weeks now to cancel it and they refuse to respond to those requests.
I would honestly not recommend anyone take out an esim with them.
When roaming I just buy an eSIM from Airalo for use in my iPhone. Worked a treat when in the USA last year.
Just downloaded their app ready for my USA trip and any other trips in the future.
Thanks for this recommendation. Much appreciated.
This came in super handy for me. I’d exceeded my data limit for the month, so rather than pay inflated prices for additional data directly from O2, I got a payg esim from Lyca, had it set up within 10 mins!
Voxi, Smarty & the other MVNOs need to get a move on and offer Esim
Great idea Obi never thought of that, got stay connected data with EE but only limited to 0.5mbps will keep this in mind
Thanks Declan. The Stay Connected perk from EE is something I wish I had on O2.
I’ve just tried this, my main sim is Voxi, so I’ve just got and esim from Lyca, £1 for 3 months with 3GB, simple and worked within minutes, strangely I’ve noticed 2 things, I have an iPhone 14 pro Max, and instead of saying 4G it says LTE..
Secondly I’ve been told for ages by the networks that Apple disabled the option to lock an iPhone to either 2G or 3G, on Voxi I can lock to 4G, 5G auto and 5G on.. on Lyca I can lock to 2G, 3G, LTE, 5G auto and 5G on..
Yes, I had noticed that too. Is there a way to lock to 3G with other networks?
@Ben, no not that I’ve seen
What phones have esim? I presume it is the higher end phones like iPhone and the top end Samsungs. the problem with Esim is that you can’t change sims so easily as with a normal phone, I have read that some phones can use dual networks with esims.
I will stay with my normal sim, if I get a new phone then all I need to so is stick it in the new phone and away I go.
lots of cheaper phones have it too, eg the new pixel 7a. It is the way dual SIM phones are going, and of course the iPhone in the US has no physical SIM support at all.
I used to have those concerns but eSIM has largely worked fine for me, at least with EE who seem to have the best support for it by far. If transferring between Apple devices you can use their simple transfer process, and if not you can get a new eSIM via the EE app or website for free.
I gather eSIM support on other networks has been rather poor.
@Ivor, if they want Esim to take off, then all providers need to support it, That is another reason why I will not buy a phone that have Esim, While at the moment I am happy with my mobile network provider, I would like the choice to choose who I want, not based on if they support my phone.
I don’t live in the U.S. and I doubt very much if I will be getting a Iphone
Maybe things will be different by the time I buy a new phone, something I am not planning to do for a few more years if I can help it. I don’t buy expensive phones, I don’t see the point, the one i have now was under £150.
Just tried this out. Fantastic!! Within 2 mins I ordered got the QR code straight away and now have 20GB for £5.
The others could learn a lot from Lyca! When I tried get a EE e-sim it was a nightmare.
Just tried it works fine, got QR code straight away on screen. O2 signal unfortunately only 3G.
Heh, Lyca is about to win my custom. I have just ordered an eSIM to try for a while. If it suits my needs, then I’ll be getting a PAC and porting to Lyca for good.
just to let you know, Lyca can’t support iPhone 15 / Pro at the moment “because it is new”
This is a bit of a joke.. back to a physical sim for now, or do I move to Spusu?