eSIMs have been positioned as the future of mobile connectivity — and on paper, it’s easy to see why. They remove the need for physical SIM cards, promise faster provisioning, reduce plastic waste, and can offer cost efficiencies for businesses.
All sounds great, right?
Well… not always.
At TST, we’ve recently come across a number of real-world issues with eSIMs that simply aren’t being talked about enough — particularly when it comes to businesses managing multiple devices and connections.
When “Flexible” Isn’t Actually Flexible
One of the biggest assumptions around eSIMs is that they make switching devices quick and seamless. In reality, that’s not always the case.
We’re seeing scenarios where moving an eSIM to a new device isn’t a simple transfer. Instead, it can involve reverting back to a physical SIM, waiting 24–48 hours for the network to process the change, and then converting back to an eSIM on the new device — followed by another wait.
For businesses, this creates a real problem. Employees can be left without a working phone for days, which is far from ideal when mobile connectivity is essential to their role.
Old Devices, Active eSIMs, and a Potential Risk
Another issue we’ve encountered is eSIMs remaining active on old devices, even after a factory reset.
While this might not immediately impact billing, it can cause confusion at network level. If the network isn’t entirely sure which device should be handling traffic, it can lead to inconsistent service or connectivity issues.
There’s also a more serious consideration: security. If an old device still has an active eSIM and ends up being reused or resold, there’s a risk — however small — that someone else could effectively present themselves as that user. It’s not something businesses can afford to overlook.
The Hidden Cost of “Cost Saving”
eSIMs are often marketed as a cost-effective solution, but that doesn’t always reflect the operational reality.
When you scale this across a business with hundreds of connections, the process of swapping from eSIM to physical SIM and back again becomes more than just a minor inconvenience. It introduces additional admin, potential downtime, and in some cases, the cost of replacement SIMs.
Individually, these costs may seem negligible. At scale, they quickly add up.
“Just Remove It in Settings”… in Theory
The standard advice for resolving some of these issues is simple: remove the old eSIM in the device settings.
In practice, it’s rarely that straightforward. The process can vary between devices, isn’t always intuitive, and relies on users knowing exactly what to look for. For businesses managing multiple users and devices, this creates unnecessary room for error.
So, Are eSIMs Worth It?
To be clear, eSIMs are a step forward. They offer genuine benefits in terms of sustainability, flexibility, and (in some cases) efficiency.
However, the reality is that the technology — and more importantly, the processes around it — haven’t fully caught up yet. There are still gaps in user guidance, network handling, and consistency across devices.
The TST Take
At TST, we’re all for innovation — but only when it works in the real world.
Our advice is simple: go in with your eyes open. Understand the switching process, plan for potential downtime, ensure old eSIMs are properly removed, and factor in the operational impact across your business.
Because while eSIMs may well be the future, the present still needs a bit of work.
Need a Hand?
If you’re considering eSIMs or running into issues with your current setup, we’re here to help. No jargon, no overpromising — just practical advice that works for your business.
