Vodafone Launching e-sim

cloudhopper19

Vodafone are launching e-sim in Ireland on July 2nd. Might be useful for those with the data vee we soon of the Apple Watch etc.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1230811/

shanec1928

about time. wonder what plans it will be limited to?

whippet

this is interesting !

Could I in theory get a Vodafone sub on the esim in my iPhone 12 Pro and keep the 3 sim (work) ?

Or will vodafone insist on the hardware being purchased from them to provide an esim

murpho999

shanec1928 wrote: »

about time. wonder what plans it will be limited to?

I don't see what it will have to do with plans and more to do with devices as e-sims will eventually replace sim cards.

murpho999

whippet wrote: »

this is interesting !

Could I in theory get a Vodafone sub on the esim in my iPhone 12 Pro and keep the 3 sim (work) ?

Or will vodafone insist on the hardware being purchased from them to provide an esim

I think if you have an unlocked e-sim then you can go to any network you want.

Gregor Samsa

shanec1928 wrote: »

about time. wonder what plans it will be limited to?

Here's some details:

Vodafone Ireland is also offering Irish consumer customers eSIMs on 25 (1) of its top devices from July 2nd, making it the first Irish operator to do so.

(...)

(1) Full list of devices available with eSIMs – iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini, iPhone SE, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone XR, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G , Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Ultra 5G, Samsung Note 20+, Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra, Google Pixel 5 , Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4, Huawei P40 Pro.

eSIMS are currently available to all RED Unlimited, Pay As You Go and Vodafone X customers, and will be rolled out to Business Customers on a phased basis

https://n.vodafone.ie/aboutus/press/vodafone-ireland-s-network-now-100--powered-by-electricity-from-.html

shanec1928

murpho999 wrote: »

I don't see what it will have to do with plans and more to do with devices as e-sims will eventually replace sim cards.

in other countries that have esim's they have tended to have it on certain plans only usually no payg.

PaulT21

cloudhopper19 wrote: »

Vodafone are launching e-sim in Ireland on July 2nd. Might be useful for those with the data vee we soon of the Apple Watch etc.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1230811/

Don't see any mention of Apple Watch yet:( Lets hope that happens also.

Gregor Samsa

PaulT21 wrote: »

Don't see any mention of Apple Watch yet:( Lets hope that happens also.

Does enabling the eSim on the Apple Watch happen as a result of doing so on your iPhone? Or it it a separate process?

But yeah, it is strange that it's not mentioned on the device list, given that it's a device that will drive a lot of interest in the technology. Maybe Vodafone/Apple need to start selling the cellular version here before they announce support for it.

shanec1928

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Does enabling the eSim on the Apple Watch happen as a result of doing so on your iPhone? Or it it a separate process?

But yeah, it is strange that it's not mentioned on the device list, given that it's a device that will derive a lot of interest in the technology. Maybe Vodafone/Apple need to start selling the cellular version here before they announce support for it.

It’s a separate sim on the Apple Watch

Creamy Goodness

It'll be apple that announce cellular apple watches on sale in Ireland, not a cellular provider.

eSim support for Apple Watch is a little more complicated in that the network needs to support forwarding calls to an esim number that's tied to your primary number. Not all eSims have this functionality and many are often used just for data roaming.

Time will tell on this for better or for worse.

PaulT21

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

It'll be apple that announce cellular apple watches on sale in Ireland, not a cellular provider.

eSim support for Apple Watch is a little more complicated in that the network needs to support forwarding calls to an esim number that's tied to your primary number. Not all eSims have this functionality and many are often used just for data roaming.

Time will tell on this for better or for worse.

Just as a matter of interest, I bought a Series 6 cellular from Argos Letterkenny, 3 weeks ago so they are being sold in Ireland. Obviously I would be interested in the sim integration for the watch if the price wasn't too expensive

Creamy Goodness

PaulT21 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, I bought a Series 6 cellular from Argos Letterkenny, 3 weeks ago so they are being sold in Ireland. Obviously I would be interested in the sim integration for the watch if the price wasn't too expensive

Key difference here is Argos is a UK company with centralised UK stock purchasing agreements. Same with Nike.ie they’ve sold cellular apple watches too. Same deal but I think their stock is German.

I guess my main point was Apple will be the first to make a song and dance about cellular apple watches and not Vodafone. Definitely a good step in the right direction though.

Zhane

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Key difference here is Argos is a UK company with centralised UK stock purchasing agreements. Same with Nike.ie they’ve sold cellular apple watches too. Same deal but I think their stock is German.

I guess my main point was Apple will be the first to make a song and dance about cellular apple watches and not Vodafone. Definitely a good step in the right direction though.

I agree that Apple will make the announcement, and they are probably holding it back until a September or October event for the new Watch.

askpt

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

It'll be apple that announce cellular apple watches on sale in Ireland, not a cellular provider.

eSim support for Apple Watch is a little more complicated in that the network needs to support forwarding calls to an esim number that's tied to your primary number. Not all eSims have this functionality and many are often used just for data roaming.

Time will tell on this for better or for worse.

For Portugal it was the operator that announced the Apple Watch cellular not Apple itself. I hope we finally get the cellular version of Apple Watch, specially it is so useful for running without carrying the phone everywhere.

Gwildor

Anyone manage to move over to esim this morning? Getting nothing but errors from Vodafone.

shanec1928

Gwildor wrote: »

Anyone manage to move over to esim this morning? Getting nothing but errors from Vodafone.

likewise. errors different in the app than the website also.

Gwildor

shanec1928 wrote: »

likewise. errors different in the app than the website also.

I switched WiFi off and used the app to activate it again and it worked. Don’t know it that was the issue, but I’m up and running now.

Creamy Goodness

Gwildor wrote: »

Anyone manage to move over to esim this morning? Getting nothing but errors from Vodafone.

Where are you signing up, not seeing anything on their website unless I'm completely blind?

Gwildor

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Where are you signing up, not seeing anything on their website unless I'm completely blind?

You need to go into ‘My Vodafone’ and then ‘My SIM’

Creamy Goodness

Gwildor wrote: »

You need to go into ‘My Vodafone’ and then ‘My SIM’

Do I have to log in to My Vodafone? Is this an existing customer only thing? I'm super confused as to what Vodafone think an eSim is

Gwildor

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Do I have to log in to My Vodafone? Is this an existing customer only thing? I'm super confused as to what Vodafone think an eSim is

I don’t know about a new connection, sorry. I’m already with Vodafone

Yggr of Asgard

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Do I have to log in to My Vodafone? Is this an existing customer only thing? I'm super confused as to what Vodafone think an eSim is

Converted an existing pay as you go SIM to e-SIM as per https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=117573939&postcount=49

If you are a new customer, choose your plan and start the check out.

Once you have indicated if you want to move your number or not you will be offered the choice of a "SIM card" or "eSIM".

Vodafone has a comprehensive help page too:
https://n.vodafone.ie/support/mobile/esim-support-faqs.html

But again, this is all only for mobiles (not devices like apple watch) listen here at the moment:
https://deviceguides.vodafone.ie/?genericInstruction=activate-esim

shanec1928

shanec1928 wrote: »

likewise. errors different in the app than the website also.

This has turned into a bit of a pain. Vodafone had to push the order through, now have the esim on the phone but can’t active it.

markad1

Just activated there, no issues.
After scanning the QR code and entering the confirmation code I had to go back in via link and activate the esim.
Had to move my gomo sim from slot 2 to slot 1. Activating esim switches off sim 2, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

saz123x

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117494367#Comment_117494367

Vodafone Ireland support chat confirmed to me today that the esim will support Apple Watch. Fingers crossed for cellular watches next month 🤞🏻🤞🏻

PaulT21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117760789#Comment_117760789

Not doubting your post and hopefully this comes to pass, as the owner of a cellular watch, I am looking forward to this finally arriving😀. Hopefully other networks will follow suit to give us hard pressed consumers more choice💶

Yggr of Asgard

Giving how they were able to make the Neo Kids watch work (claim is built in Vodafone Smart SIM) I am sure they will be able to make an Apple Watch work.

Now if you can actually order anything on the vodafone website once it's out, is a different story!

whippet

Just had the misfortune of speaking to someone from vodafone on the phone - hadn't a clue about e-sim ... eventually called me back saying e-sims don't support phones and they are just for the Neo !

markad1

Switched esim to a new phone with no problem using the vodafone app, I was expecting it to be a pain.

But yes, not as simple as moving a sim card😅

saz123x

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117773884#Comment_117773884

I ended up buying an Apple Watch cellular after of this support chat. Unfortunately then to find it doesn’t actually work like they said it would in that chat. I then contacted them again and was told to buy a vsim and that would definitely work with my Apple Watch. After the incorrect information being given the first time I decided to research before committing to it and discovered this is actually a physical sim so would definitely not work with the Apple Watch. Seems like Vodafone customer support doesn’t know much about esims yet and is throwing out wrong advise to consumers. Very annoying.

PaulT21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117940838#Comment_117940838

Its terrible to be steered wrong by customer care😡 The networks really take us all for granted imho. Still the watch is an excellent piece of gear and hopefully will be supported going forward.🤞

Yggr of Asgard

Apple watch might use an e-sim but it's not an e-sim as implemented by Vodafone Ireland.

Vodafone Ireland at the moment only does an e-sim as replacement for a physical SIM to be used as sole connection on a number, single SIM, used in one device.

Apple Watch (and Samsung Watch) require a different type of e-sim which is a companion to an existing sim commonly known as MultiSim.

So, while e-Sim is available on Vodafone Ireland, MultiSIM is not available for consumers in conjunction with an e-SIM.

Creamy Goodness

a risk was taken and unfortunately it was the wrong risk :(. Customer service agents should have never said anything about the Apple Watch cellular.

until apple launch them themselves, don’t buy a cellular watch unless you want a stainless/titanium option (only available in cellular) or there’s a serious discount.

saz123x

You’d assume what the customer care agents are saying is correct. Never had any reason to doubt them before and the person speaking to me about using Apple Watch with an esim was certain it worked. Then for a similar thing to happen with the vsim 🙈 I’ll know better in future

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117940838#Comment_117940838

Don’t worry it is definitely coming, a matter of weeks/months but by the end of year I believe…

Creamy Goodness

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117948250#Comment_117948250

Can you flesh this out a bit more otherwise it just sounds like false hope. Don't buy hardware based on future promises of software/services to exist.

Example: Imagine buying the original iPhone based on the idea that Visual Voicemail feature would be available. Some people are 14 years - and counting - waiting.

Mimikyu

Does anyone know how long it takes to receive the QR code to set up an eSIM with a new number from Vodafone?

I thought it would have been (near) instant but I haven’t received anything yet. I’ve been going around in circles with customer care telling me to put the SIM into my phone but obviously there’s no SIM to put in.

cloudhopper19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118015569#Comment_118015569

If you have done it online and log in to the my Vodafone section and click on My Sim. The QR code is in there.

Mimikyu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118015649#Comment_118015649

Maybe I’m being stupid here but I’m trying to register for My Vodafone and it’s asking for a verification code that’s sent to either the number or email. Nothing in my emails and obviously I can’t get the text if they’re sending it that way.

lordsheepface

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118015756#Comment_118015756

My experience of registering for a new prepay esim on the VF website is that if you don't tick the box to "create a VF account for me" during the checkout process you may as well just start the process again and buy a new sim using a different email etc. Customer care unable to assist at all. No way to access the esim without an account / no way to get into this "account" because I didn't set one up.

Yggr of Asgard

Also if you have an existing broadband account do NOT use that account to order your prepaid Sim, use a new account.

Mimikyu

Thanks for the suggestions. I got it sorted last week in the end. Lordsheepface was spot on about not ticking the “create account” option when ordering being the problem.

I managed to get a Vodafone rep to reset the account for me after going around in circles for a while. Once that was done and I logged in I had to eSIM set up within a minute.

CountingCrows

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117948250#Comment_117948250

Any word on when this will/might happen?

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118100983#Comment_118100983

No but it is being worked on I have been told.

lordlame

Vodafone are listed on Apple’s website now:

https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT209096

lordlame

Ps - are there any online providers that actually work with watch? ie Ubigi is listed on Apples website - I can confirm Ubigi / Transatel DO NOT work the watch at present.

Yggr of Asgard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118131486#Comment_118131486

That list is for the iPhone only, not the companion devices like Apple Watch LTE etc.

Yggr of Asgard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118131609#Comment_118131609

This link should give you a list of all providers for the watch

https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular/#table-series-7

lordlame

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118132345#Comment_118132345

Ah my bad, sorry. Thanks for the clarification.

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118133494#Comment_118133494

I note and I have posted in the Apple Watch thread, that the Apple Watch Cellular is now available in the Netherlands leaving us and Luxembourg as the only 2 countries in the EU without it 🙄