Vodafone Launching e-sim

griffdaddy

I'm using a globale smartwatch sim on my Samsung Watch 4 with no issues. It's data only but handy all the same. Pretty sure it would work for you apple heads too?

aurawindsurfing

For everyone waiting for it to work. Here is some good news:

https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/comreg-opens-the-door-for-apple-cellular-watch-41030302.html

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335115#Comment_118335115

Interesting. However, Vodafone are working on it they have told me. No date given for when it will happen though. It’s crazy as we are the only country along with Luxembourg in Europe that don’t have Apple Watch Cellular. It’s up to the mobile providers to offer it not Apple.

notahappycamper

Further update that this (Apple Watch Cellular) is on the Vodafone roadmap for next year. No launch date yet unfortunately but at least it is going to happen. If it doesn’t happen by June 2022 I’ll reach out again for an update.

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118345542#Comment_118345542

They'll need to get their eSIM provisioning system back operational before then, it has been down for well over a month at this stage.

wouldn't inspire me with any confidence they'll get Apple watch eSIMs working anytime soon!

Creamy Goodness

I'm sure glad I didn't buy a cellular watch based on this thread.

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118345852#Comment_118345852

Agreed. Had hoped based on what I was told earlier in the year that it would be made available by end of the year.

battser

Anyone heard any updates on any carriers supporting the watch ? I am going to buy the watch but really do want the cellular functionality. Leaning towards doing so on Amazon as Apple won’t sell it on their site I guess till it’s supported in Eire.

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118451415#Comment_118451415

I’ve been told by Vodafone that it’s on their roadmap for this year but no release date yet.

It’s possible Eir might do it first. Vodafone seem to know how to do very little other than send larger bills.

Yggr of Asgard

Giving how Vodafone ran into significant issues with Standard eSIM and shortly after launch had to withdraw the service I would not expect to see them rolling out companion eSIM any time soon.

Doodah7

Given the rumours that the next iPhone might only support an eSIM, I would think that all of the networks here are working on a solution to be in place for next October at the latest!

https://www.gsmarena.com/leaker_corroborates_apple_may_switch_iphones_to_esim_only_as_soon_as_2022-news-52450.php

KildareP

Vodafone have an eSIM provisioning platform in place, it's just no-one seems to know how exactly the process is meant to work. Supposedly you now need to get the eSIM activated in a store except the majority of stores don't seem to have any idea what an eSIM is, never mind how to activate one.

Three also have an eSIM provisioning platform in place as the ESB Networks smart meters use eSIMs as opposed to physical SIMs with Three having won the tender to provide the connectivity and telemetry data path for the rollout. Three have just so far chosen not to offer eSIMs generally. Not sure they will anytime soon either, since they've a full IMS core in place yet have chosen not to make VoLTE or WiFi Calling available either, leaving them the only Irish network operator not to have those features available.

Eir, I don't know where they're at with eSIMs. Given how ahead of the curve by being first to market when it comes to introducing other technologies like VoLTE, WiFi Calling and 5G, I suspect they've a platform in place as well, just they haven't made general use of it yet. eSIMs might be seen as a commercial threat as it significantly eases the effort and speed of chopping and changing operators, and also opens up a significant dual SIM opportunity which isn't necessarily good for the operators bottom line. The other side of it is Eir's billing systems are an absolute mess, trying to add eSIM functionality into it might require a lot of backend work.

Maclaois

@KildareP Have you any idea any Vodafone store in Leinster that might have a clue how to do it?

Had VF eSIM working perfectly on IPhone SE (used one number for work, one personal on same phone),

Upgraded to IPhone 12, now I cant seem to get it working, had to go back to 2 Phones,

Customer Care tell me to go to shop, shop says they have no idea, talk to customer care.

sharkman

I have it on my phone months , you go into your online account and provision it . Eazy Peazy ...

Log into your account , on account homepage scroll to the end where you will find "Device & SIM" section , select this and you will be given the option of Esim QR code ... Hey Presto ..

Pete123456

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118573194#Comment_118573194

Head into a shop and ask them to look up your account and they will have the QR code on their screen - I couldn’t reactivate mine recently and I happens to be passing a shop and mentioned it. Your man was puzzled and I was looking over his shoulder and I just said “that’s what I need” and scanned it… problem solved

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118573194#Comment_118573194

Well neither Newbridge nor Monread in Kildare or Liffey Valley had any idea what I was on about anyway, I haven't tried any other stores recently but have tried The Square (Tallaght) and Dundrum in the past also. I've seen quite a lot of reports on social media of others running into the same issue of being told to go to a store and the store not having a clue what they were on about.

I'm making other arrangements not to have to rely on Vodafone at all as they're diabolical.

Maclaois

Thanks @sharkman i just get an error comes up

"Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again."

Thanks @Pete123456, tried this yesterday but VF system in store wouldn't show it.

Thanks @KildareP, I have tried nearly all networks at this stage, VF is probably the best for me in terms of signal. Never really had technical or customer service issues with VF but have had with others

Im trying to build up the will to tackle customer services again....!🤯

Kevrano

Having similar problems. The website has a blank square where the QR code should and a “something went wrong”. Also went to the store on Grafton Street, where the guy told me that the provisioning system was down, but also told not to bother with eSIM as you “cannot use outside Ireland”. Why do they say this nonsense??

whippet

it seems like a really cumbersome process. I needed a new sim / new account before xmas and was isolating with covid. I ported over to VF but of course the SIM didn't arrive - so had no signal. I called CS and asked for an e-sim I could activate and it was like I was asking for moon dust.

After hours of battling - eventually they told me to send a friend to the local VF store - who took a photo of the QR code and could WhatsApp the photo to me with the code.

Bonkers stuff

notahappycamper

Vodafone appear to be a solid cellular provider regarding being able to get their signal, but their backend IT for web orders especially around iPhone upgrade time, cancelling insurance (had a nightmare cancelling Vodafone Care Insurance) and now the stories with e-SIM are diabolical. The Apple Watch Cellular functionality is on their “roadmap” for this year so lets see them make a hames of this too! 🙄

antboreds

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674899#Comment_118674899

Has anyone had any luck getting their apple watch to work with Vodafone's e-sim?

I ordered the Samsung watch4 and would like the option of trying it out as a phone replacement (not looking for advice on the logistics of this)

Officially, Vodafone don't support wearables. But if I could use the samsung wearables app on my phone to scan the qr code in the Vodafone store, I wonder would it automatically provision the required internet settings to allow the watch to work with 4G. Or is it a case that it won't even connect to the network, nevermind support data?

Anyone with a bit of inside knowledge on this topic?

notahappycamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913799#Comment_118913799

I can’t imagine it’ll work. I’ve been told that the cellular functionality for Apple Watch is on Vodafone’s roadmap for this year. Read into that what you will. If it does happen I imagine it’ll be later this year.

pleasant Co.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118914455#Comment_118914455

Just like last year so.

sublime1

Just a heads up to anyone thinking of getting an eSim. I was in my local Vodafone shop over the weekend looking to switch to eSim. I was pretty shocked when the member of staff told me that Vodafone have basically screwed up their implementation of eSim, and apparently many customers have actually lost their numbers when trying to transfer accounts to eSim. They strongly advised me NOT to get an eSim (which in my case is a bit late as I had foolishly bought a new phone assuming that 5 year old tech would be easily supported). What is interesting is that just a few weeks ago over the phone the same shop told me that there would be no trouble getting an eSim, so this is obviously a very recent change in affairs.

This is a major cockup on Vodafone's part, on the kind of scale that heads should roll. The staff member was unable to even give me a timeline as to when they might start supporting eSims, as right now "it's a complete mess" apparently.

The rest of the world have been happily using eSims for a few years now, but apparently tech leader Ireland can't manage this at all. I'm fuming as I need 2 sims, and was relying on this.

sharkman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118574772#Comment_118574772

Have you tried a different browser ? I get error on Firefox but not chrome .

notahappycamper

Doesn’t bode well for the supposed roll out of cellular support for Apple Watch this year. Can they not learn from Vodafone in the UK which is the group they are apart of regarding implementation of eSIM functionality?

sublime1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016506#Comment_119016506

Yeah, it was pretty shocking to hear a frontline member of staff being so up front about their incompetence. You're right that it doesn't bode well for future tech challenges.

whippet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119009235#Comment_119009235

I've been using an esim since porting over to Vodafone since december without problem - what are the issues they are having ?

Tech_Head

Got the same today. Told eSIM activations weren’t available as some customers only had either just phone or just data moves over. They had no clue when or if it would be fixed. I ported for eSIM today. Also can’t even register for a Vodafone account to check my details.

PaulT21

https://www.imore.com/apple-watch-lte-support-comes-three-years-after-everyone-else-got-it

I know its really a different company in the UK, but here's hoping that 3Ireland will eventually get around to supporting the  Watch Cellular here in Ireland. 🤞

Oafley Jones

Updates for this thread after nothing but disappointment.

dsagra

it looks like Vodafone esim activation is now available again on their website and Android/Ios app? Has anyone checked everything works as expected or do we still need to go to a shop in order to get one activated?

Thank you

Tech_Head

I hadn’t realised it was available. Have just set it up now at home and working fine. You need another device to display the QR code (either log in or take a pic).

Don’t forget to go back to the app and click Activate SIM. All in all it took less than 5min

KildareP

Tried to order a pay as you go SIM as a test and it was error central. What a piss poor excuse for a communications company. They are worse than Eir.

Tech_Head

Might be two different issues. It took me almost 4 weeks to get my account created once imported over from 3. Once everything was in order, the eSIM part worked well for me. Still using it as I type this.

Yggr of Asgard

Anybody recently attempted to get an eSIM online for a new PAYG phone number?

How long did it take after the order e-mail for the eSIM to show up in the portal?

Yggr of Asgard

Well typical vodafone, if it does not work on first attempt, try again and voila within 45 seconds my eSIM was ready.

Tech_Head

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120040587#Comment_120040587

Glad to hear it. I didn’t port recently so didn’t comment but the process was quick when I did it and has been working flawlessly since. Have done major SW updates on the phone and the e-sim always worked as expected.

Homer

Just as an FYI I was in Boston earlier this week and picked up an iPhone 14 Pro Max as the saving is about $500 off Irish prices. Had to bring it into a Vodafone store this morning to sort the e-sim and left 10 minutes later all sorted.

4real

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120048183#Comment_120048183

how much are you paying per month, can you get a sim only plan?

Homer

Basic €30 a month plan and always buy my own handsets. So essentially a sim only plan that I can cancel at any time is what I have.

darrenheaphy

Has anyone had or read any timeframe from Vodafone for Apple Watch support? I bought one from my daughter, it's annoying I can't set it up as a family member because Vodafone are shite

Homer

I would think it’s the next thing down the line now that they are offering esim as a standard service. I did ask about it when I was getting the esim sorted for my phone as I have an Apple Watch ultra but guy in store said it would be a separate number currently

darrenheaphy

Thanks Homer, I presume there's no way to activate an eSIM on Apple Watch currently, even if it were a separate number?

Creamy Goodness

Until apple sell the cellular version on apple.com/ie then no.

Apple Watch eSims utilise sim cloning and cannot have a separate phone number.

darrenheaphy

God, I'm so stupid. I bought it assuming it has cellular for my kid, was thinking that would be really useful whenever Vodafone get 'round to supporting it. So that does mean the GPS one, even when Vodafone will support eSIM, has no calling functionality whatosever?

Creamy Goodness

The gps watch has no cellular built-in. It needs to be tied to an iPhone.

you can buy cellular versions of the watch in uk owed retailers whether they’ll work whenever the carriers support Apple Watch cellular versions, only time will tell. If I was to take an educated guess though I’d say it’s likely, but not guaranteed.

This thread (if you take time to read back) I’ve been very vocal about people buying cellular versions based on the promises of associates from cellular providers saying support is just “weeks/months” away is a waste of money. They’re usually the last to know and it’s apple’s announcement to make. Several times cellular watch support has been promised and yet its 2023 and it’s nowhere to be seen.

This isn’t a dig/sly at you btw.

hyz2993

Hi all, just looking for posts about ESIM installing on iPhone. So according to the info above:

1. Vodafone IE has ESIM service now and can order in the Vodafone app;
2. ESIM on Apple watch cellular version is not using a ESIM directly but a clone from where the iPhone scans that ESIM QRcode and transfers to watch?

Also for who is having both iPhone and Apple Watch, may I ask if you think the cellular is important in your daily use? Or the GPS version is enough?

Many thanks!

Tech_Head

Vodafone eSim works fine on iPhone but won’t transfer to Apple Watch - it isn’t supported yet. GPS Apple Watch is the only supported version over here. I’ve had the Cellular series 3 and series 6 - neither work on eSim with Vodafone. Hopefully one day.