Data Index · publications

eSIM studies: data, fieldwork and methods

Original analysis of eSIM prices, networks and use. Each publication states its scope, sources and limits; field tests are labelled as such.

Explore the Data Index and its data Press and citations

Thailand eSIM field campaign

108 valid tests across 16 locations. Start with the six-provider speed comparison, then explore installation, validity and customer support.

Speed & networks illustration for the Thailand eSIM campaign
Field campaign · 2026

Speed & networks

Speed, latency and Thai networks, compared across six common locations.

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eSIM support illustration for the Thailand eSIM campaign
Field campaign · 2026

eSIM support

What five support teams said about top-ups and Internet routing.

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Real-world validity illustration for the Thailand eSIM campaign
Field campaign · 2026

Real-world validity

A two-day timeline separates installation, validity and first data use.

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Purchase & installation illustration for the Thailand eSIM campaign
Field campaign · 2026

Purchase & installation

Five September purchases, with the current DriftAsia flow kept separate.

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Data Index · publications

Recent studies

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Price and data costs

BarometerPrice and data costs

Historical eSIM Price per GB index in Asia · V1

27Asian destinations ranked
11Resellers in the panel

Earlier monthly price research across a different regional panel and method. Historical V1 series; not comparable with the Q4 quarterly V2 benchmark.

Historical monthly index · V1

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Methodology and limitations

Each figure is the price of one gigabyte of prepaid eSIM data across a fixed panel of 11 international resellers (eSIM Voyage, Airalo, Nomad, Saily, Ubigi, Yesim, BNESIM, Jetpac, aloSIM, Instabridge, Maya Mobile). Prices are collected weekly in EUR and converted to USD at the ECB reference rate frozen on the publication date. Updated monthly.

Networks and performance

Field studyNetworks and performance

Travel eSIM latency in Asia: fast downloads, slower conversations?

38Asian observations
62 msAIS median ping, n=14

38 Asian field observations: fast downloads can coexist with elevated latency. nPerf references, sample limits and practical advice for digital nomads.

Study updated 14 September 2026

Read the study JSON · Ping chart · SVG

Methodology and limitations

38 June 2026 public records; metric-specific median and count. Three screenshots spot-checked. M-Lab kept separate; no national extrapolation or ranking.

eSIM experience

Customer support

Compatibility

StudyCompatibility

China's Two-Phone Rule: what eSIM compatibility really looks like across Asia

2iPhone models eSIM-capable in mainland China
27Asian destinations tracked

In mainland China, only two iPhone models can activate an eSIM from a local carrier. Every other iPhone sold there keeps a physical SIM. A device-level look at eSIM readiness across Asia.

Study - published July 2026

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Methodology and limitations

Device-level check across the models actually sold in each market. Carrier eSIM activation is verified per model reference, not per brand. Sources are manufacturer and carrier documentation, archived at time of reading.

Unlimited plans and limits

StudyUnlimited plans and limits

Unlimited, decoded: what you actually get after the throttle

44Unlimited plans analysed
15Resellers in the panel

2026 study: 44 unlimited eSIM plans from 15 resellers across 9 destinations. Real daily quota, throttled speeds, price per usable GB. Every clause quoted verbatim, every source archived.

Study - published July 2026

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Methodology and limitations

Every plan page and terms document was read and archived. Three throttle mechanisms are recorded: daily quota, plan cap, permanent speed cap. Usable GB is the volume available at full speed before throttling. Prices in USD, primary sources only.

Internet disruptions and resilience

StudyInternet disruptions and resilience

Internet disruptions and eSIMs: Asia edition

5Selected destinations
5Documented incidents (non-exhaustive)

Five destinations: TH, VN, ID, JP, NP. Historical cases: January 2024 to August 2026. Catalogue snapshot: 13 September 2026. 3 notices and 0 continuity cases are separate. No country risk ranking or provider resilience claim.

Study updated 14 September 2026

Read the study Cases and sources (JSON) · Declared networks (JSON)

Methodology and limitations

Primary sources, classified evidence and technical supplier snapshot. No annual availability denominator or provider fault testing.

Data Index · publications

How to read this research

Results are shown with their scope and limitations. Method notes are included in each publication; data files and figures are linked when available.

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