1p Mobile UK Finally Spotted Starting to Deploy eSIM Support UPDATE

Mobile network operator 1p Mobile appears as if it may finally be introducing eSIM (Embedded SIM) support to their service, which follows months of waiting after previous promises evaporated (example). Several customers spotted the feature today, but the launch currently appears to be suffering from a few teething issues.

Just to recap. The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which works by essentially embedding a digital 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) and to use additional networks alongside your main mobile service (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).

Officially, the provider’s website currently still states that they only support physical SIM cards. But the first solid sign of a change came on Thursday last week, after one of 1p’s support agents said that eSIM “should be introduced within the next week” and “existing customers will be able to switch with a replacement SIM” (here).

Fast-forward to today and a number of ISPreview’s community members started to report that eSIM support had finally become available to them on 1p Mobile’s website (here and here), albeit seemingly attached to a £2.50 charge for those wanting to swap from their existing physical SIM.

But no sooner than the feature had appeared, and it promptly vanished again. One of our forum members, Sprogletto, claims to have been told by 1P’s support department that this was because the operator had suffered from a few “coding” issues and temporarily took eSIM off the website until they could be resolved (hopefully by later today). We’ll keep an eye out for further updates and report back.

UPDATE 3:59pm

After the earlier issues, eSIM support now appears to have been reintroduced to their website.