As India commemorates its 77th year of independence, the spirit of innovation continues to flourish. Matrix Cellular, a Delhi-based company, has launched India’s first eSIM services, marking a new chapter in international travel connectivity.
An eSIM, or Embedded SIM, is a digital version of the traditional physical Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. Unlike a removable SIM card, an eSIM is embedded directly into your device, eliminating the need for physical swapping. This software-based system stores your cellular information, allowing seamless activation of different cellular plans without the hassle of changing SIM cards.
Growing market
The global travel SIM/eSIM market is on the cusp of explosive growth. By 2028, the number of travel SIM/eSIM users is expected to reach 268 million. This surge is driven by the rising cost of international roaming and the increasing number of international travellers is projected to rise from 1.3 billion in 2024 to over 1.6 billion by 2028.
It is understood that high roaming charges have pushed consumers to seek cost-effective alternatives, with travel SIM/eSIM packages offering significant savings—up to 35 per cent per GB of data compared to traditional roaming services.
The demand for data is also expected to skyrocket. By 2028, over 1.5 billion petabytes of data will be consumed by travel SIM/eSIM users, a massive increase from the 363 million petabytes projected for 2024.
This growth will be fueled by the increasing use of data-intensive activities such as film streaming, social media, and mobile gaming.
The Indian player
The eSIM market is anticipated to surpass a valuation of $21.24 billion by the end of 2032, driven by the increasing adoption of this technology across the globe. Matrix Cellular is positioning itself to be a leader in this dynamic market by offering superior customer experiences through cutting-edge technology and extensive global coverage.
In an exclusive interview with News18, Gaurav Khanna, CEO of Matrix Cellular, emphasised the transformative potential of eSIMs. “eSIMs are very useful for travellers, especially those travelling for a short period. Since there is no physical delivery involved, we can cater to customers from any part of the world,” he explained.
Khanna highlighted the convenience of eSIMs, where users can simply visit the company’s website or app (on which they are currently working on) to purchase and activate their eSIM. A QR code is sent to the customer, which can be scanned to instantly activate the eSIM.
Khanna elaborated on the seamless process that eSIM technology offers: “A customer travelling from India to the UK, for instance, would traditionally have to search for a physical store upon arrival to buy a local SIM card. With our eSIM, none of that is required. You just opt for an eSIM on our website, receive a QR code, scan it and that’s it.”
He also addressed the financial benefits, noting the significant cost differences compared to traditional roaming. “The growth will be driven by natural growth in the travel market and increased adoption by travellers. When you compare it to roaming, there’s a vast difference in terms of cost,” Khanna said. The CEO also pointed out that most new phones, particularly those from major manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, are eSIM compatible, further driving adoption.
Khanna explained how eSIMs work in collaboration with local networks: “Once you arrive in a different country, like the US, your data services will be provided by the local network there. For instance, if we have a contract with T-Mobile, you’ll be using their network through our eSIM. If T-Mobile isn’t working in certain areas, we can switch to AT&T without changing the charges. This flexibility ensures our customers always have reliable service.” Similarly in Turkey, it has partnerships with local telecom operators such as Turkcell and Vodafone.
Plans for diverse needs
Matrix offers a range of eSIM plans tailored to different destinations and needs. For instance, according to the website, the International eSIM for the US is priced at Rs 999, with data plans ranging from 3 GB to unlimited data for varying durations. Similarly, the UK eSIM is available at Rs 499, with data plans ranging from 1 GB to unlimited data. These plans are designed to cater to both short-term and long-term travellers, including students heading to the US for studies.
Matrix has formed partnerships with over 30 to 35 networks worldwide, ensuring robust coverage across more than 150 countries. Khanna said: “Telcos are our network providers, and without their support, we cannot operate. Our partnerships with telecom operators are crucial, covering a wide range of countries and ensuring that our customers have consistent, high-quality service.”
Looking ahead, Khanna envisions eSIM technology becoming even more integrated into mobile devices. He cited recent innovations from Apple, which introduced a new way of installing eSIMs without the need to scan a QR code. “This shows that handset manufacturers are beginning to support this cause, making it easier for consumers to adopt eSIMs,” he said.
With a focus on providing superior customer experiences through cutting-edge technology, extensive global coverage, and user-friendly plans, the company aims to become a leader in this rapidly growing market. Its strategy to increase its customer base includes enhancing digital visibility, forming strategic partnerships, and offering more user-friendly plans.
Comments
0 comment