Mobile Operator Lebara UK Finally Starts Introducing eSIM Support
Mobile operator Lebara, which harnesses Vodafone UK’s mobile virtual network operator (mvno) platform, today finally confirmed to ISPreview that they had begun rolling out eSIM (Electronic SIM) support in a phased manner. But initially this will only be available to new customers joining with an Apple iPhone Air, although support will soon expand.
The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which works by essentially embedding an electronic SIM into your device (Smartphone) that could – once fully implemented – make it easier and quicker to switch between operators (e.g. not having to wait for a SIM card to arrive), as well as to use additional networks alongside your main mobile plan (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).
In terms of device support, Lebara said that they will be making eSim available for other devices – for both new and existing customers – within this year (starting over the next few weeks as they enhance the service).
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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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I’m interested to know how Lebara’s system knows the difference between an iPhone Air and other eSIM capable iPhones?
This will be through your phone’s IMEI number, which identifies the specific device to their network. A common feature of how mobile networks work.
I’d be intrigued whether it just works on other devices already
Yes, would be interesting to know if the “convert to esim” option on an iPhone will work now.
there is no convert to eSIM option for me
Recently worked on my Samsung S25 ultra,switching from O2 to Talkmobile.
why apple only? i mean i suppose they want to dip their feet in the water first but i just dont see why. i suppose so that they don’t loose new customers with esim only devices? Although im kinda happy apple has forced people to stop dragging their heels and actually roll this stuff out but none of my devices are apple so im stuck with regular SIMs from Lebara but im happy with their service so ill live with it.
I’d guess they are worried about support workload, and have opted to release it in a phased manner, starting with esim only devices
Probably because it’s a single known platform. Android can be harder to support with it’s multitude of suppliers
I notice it’s just a question on the ordering process as in “is this for an iPhone Air” with a yes/no selection.
The next page just asks for your details as usual. Perhaps that’s the only check to see if it takes you down the eSIM or physical sim route.
seriously, everyone should do it not only to save postage and time to deliver but also it’s just more secure. Not sure why they didn’t do it or why 1pmobile takes so long.
I am on Lebara Mobile. But I wish I could get Unlimited Calls and Unlimited Texts including 500 Free international Calls and Unlimited international Texts was £10 a month for 200GBs or more.
I guess this is a way of gradually rolling out the new feature. Any idea if they actually enforce the “iPhone Air only” thing – can you use the eSIM in a different device?
Yes you can!!! I have it in my iPhone 16 Pro Max and it works well other than the fact it doesn’t have a carrier config so you have all the 2G,3G,LTE,5G,VoLTE options
ive had a sim with them for a few months now
I can confirm you can just say yes to the iPhone air question and you’ll get sent an eSIM QR code
I think the iPhone air is going to finally push eSIM as the primary option.
I’m sure the networks will know before the general public but there’s always a chance the main iPhone models will not have a have a physical sim slot next year. The US made the change already and their devices now benefit from larger batteries.
It works on my iphone 12 pro max.
I’ve just wasted one 1.50 to test this and I can confirm it works fine on an Android phone
It’s just an esim QR code via email. They don’t restrict anything
My Google Pixel 8 connected immediately via the QR code in the email, but after restarting the phone, no matter what I did, the phone simply did not see the SIM card and the SIM card menu was also not active, so I could not delete or try to erase the eSIM. I had my old physical card from Lebara, so I inserted it into the slot, restarted the phone, and the network immediately appeared, as if everything was working, but the internet on the eSIM 5G or even LTE is just terrible!