eSIM Global comes to Orbi
You land, turn on your phone, and the first thing you need is internet. To book a ride, open the map to your hotel or let your family know you arrived safely. That is why we launched eSIM Global in the Orbi Marketplace, so you have data from the first minute of your trips abroad, with no contracts or lock-in periods, and pay for it with your digital dollars.
What an eSIM is and how it works
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. It works just like the physical SIM card you know, but instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a data plan straight to your phone.
The big advantage is that your phone can keep your usual Mexican SIM and one or more eSIMs at the same time. That way you use your eSIM data during your trip abroad without removing your main SIM.
Why an eSIM is ideal for Mexicans traveling abroad
You have internet as soon as you land. Buy and install your eSIM before leaving Mexico and turn it on as soon as you reach your destination.
No contracts or lock-in periods. Buy only the plan you need for your trip. There are no monthly fees or minimum terms, and next time you travel you simply choose a new plan.
No SIM swapping. Your Mexican SIM stays in place, so there is no risk of losing it on the trip.
You know how much you will spend. You choose a plan with a fixed amount of data and a set validity period. No surprises on your next statement.
You keep your number on WhatsApp. Your WhatsApp account is linked to your Mexican number, not your SIM, so you can keep chatting and calling through the app using your eSIM data.
Check that your phone supports eSIM
Not every phone supports eSIM. Most recent iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models do, but it is worth confirming before your trip.
On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About, and look for the digital eSIM section. On Android, check Settings, then Connections or Network, for the option to add a mobile plan or eSIM.
It is also important that your phone is unlocked, meaning it is not tied to a single carrier. If you bought it in installments from a carrier in Mexico, it is worth confirming with them before you travel.
How to buy your travel eSIM in Orbi
In Orbi you will find eSIMs in the app’s Marketplace, under the name eSIM Global.
- Open the Orbi app and go to the Marketplace.
- Select eSIM Global.
- Choose the country or region you are traveling to.
- Pick the data plan that best fits your trip.
- Pay with your digital dollar balance.
Once you complete the purchase, you will receive instructions to install the eSIM on your phone.
Your trip, in digital dollars
Digital dollars are virtual assets whose value is pegged to the US dollar. In Orbi you can hold them in USDT, USDC or USDG and use them like any other balance in the app.
For a trip abroad this makes a lot of sense. If you already have your Orbi balance in digital dollars, you can use it to prepare your whole trip from one place. Buy your eSIM Global in the Marketplace before you leave and, once at your destination, pay at merchants and ATMs with your Orbi Card, which is also debited from your digital dollar balance.
That way you do not have to move money between apps or carry extra cash. Your connection and your payments come from the same balance.
How to install and activate your eSIM
We recommend installing your eSIM one or two days before you travel, while you still have a good internet connection at home. Installing it only gets the plan ready on your phone.
When you arrive at your destination abroad, do the following.
- Open your phone’s mobile data settings.
- Select your eSIM as the data line.
- Turn on data roaming for the eSIM only.
- If you want to avoid charges from your Mexican carrier, turn off roaming on your main line.
That’s it, you are online.
How much data you need for your trip
It depends on how you use your phone. As a general reference, checking maps, messages and social media uses little data. Watching videos, posting stories or making video calls uses a lot more.
eSIM Global plans come with a fixed amount of data, so before choosing, think about how many days you will be away and how much you will use your phone. A good trick is to use the hotel wifi for heavy tasks, like downloading shows or backing up photos, and save your data for when you are out and about.
What to know before using your eSIM
It is an eSIM for travel abroad. eSIM Global plans have no coverage within Mexico; they are meant to be used at your destination.
Check the plan’s validity. Each plan lasts a specific number of days. Choose one that covers your whole trip.
Keep your code or QR. If you delete the eSIM from your phone by mistake, it may not be possible to install it again.
The service is provided by eSIM Access. Orbi gives you access to its plans through the Marketplace, and eSIM Access is the provider responsible for the connectivity service.
Travel abroad with everything on your phone
With your Orbi Card you pay in dollars anywhere in the world, and with eSIM Global you arrive connected from the first minute, with no contracts involved. All from the same app and with your digital dollar balance.
Frequently asked questions
What is an eSIM for Mexicans?
It is a digital data plan you install on your phone to have internet during your trips abroad, without removing your Mexican SIM.
Does eSIM Global have a contract or lock-in period?
No. You pay once for the plan you choose for your trip, with no monthly fees or minimum term.
Can I use my eSIM Global in Mexico?
No. eSIM Global plans have no coverage in Mexico; they are meant to be used at your destination.
Do I lose my Mexican number if I use an eSIM?
No. Your Mexican SIM stays in your phone and WhatsApp keeps working with your number.
How do I pay for my eSIM in Orbi?
With your digital dollar balance, directly from the app’s Marketplace.
What are digital dollars?
They are virtual assets whose value is pegged to the US dollar. In Orbi you can hold them in USDT, USDC or USDG and use them to buy in the Marketplace or pay with your Orbi Card.
Digital dollars are virtual assets subject to Mexico’s LFPIORPI; they are not legal tender or a bank deposit. The eSIM Global service is provided by eSIM Access.
