2023 is shaping up to be a big year for eSIM technology. Firstly, the eSIM market is expected to be worth over $4 billion by the end of the year. Google and Samsung are going to follow Apple’s lead which means more devices with eSIMs. It’s no surprise travel has increased since we were all locked down during the pandemic. Even with inflation on the rise, the U.S. Travel Foundation predicts an increase in travel spending in 2023 compared to 2022. Travellers hoping to stay connected on their trips can look to eSIMs as a solution. Also, 2023 is the year we’ll get the “true” 5G experience. It was introduced in 2019 but hasn’t been up to speed for different reasons. This article will talk about how things are lining up for eSIM to have a special 2023. 

eSIM Market Growth, is eSIM coming to Europe? 

eSIM has been around for a while but has become much more recognised over the past twelve months. Researchers at Juniper studied the market and found that smartphone users are ready to ditch their plastic SIMs and adopt eSIMs for their many benefits. As mentioned before, the eSIM market is projected to be worth more than $4 billion by the end of the year. Apple is the first of the big smartphone producers to make one of their phones eSIM-only. The new iPhone 14 is eSIM-only in the U.S., but researchers predict Apple will bring these models to Europe in 2023. Apple sets the tone, and research expects Samsung and Google will match Apple. They will make their own eSIM-only devices to roll out this year. With all these big players pushing their models, it’s predicted that smartphones with eSIM will increase to 986 million in 2023. 

Another factor in the market is China. Currently, China does not offer eSIM on iPhone, but it is assumed this will change. Pressure to keep up with the growing technology will change their view. When this happens, 2023 and the future look bright for eSIM. Juniper Research says the number of smartphones with eSIM will increase from 103 million in 2023 to 385 million in 2027. 

Travel Continues to Increase Post Pandemic

We all knew travel would come back strong in 2022. After a year of staying indoors until it was safe, we took to the skies again. There were still some closed borders worldwide, but air traffic hit an impressive 70% of pre-pandemic levels globally. Those numbers don’t look like slowing down in 2023. Even with inflation, the U.S. Travel Foundation predicts an increase in travel spending in 2023 compared to 2022 and 2019. For some, not travelling during lockdown meant their travel budgets were larger once the world reopened. A survey by Booking.com found that nearly half of its participants were likely to spend more on their next holiday “to make up for lost time.” Another study by Expedia showed that younger travellers would be more willing to splurge. Testers between 18 and 34 were happy to spend that extra bit on their trips to upgrade their experience. They are also finally comfortable with booking flights in advance again. Of course, this wasn’t possible when travel rules were ever-changing. Back then, it made sense to wait until the very last moment before buying a ticket. Now we’ve got some stability. An American Express study found that 50% of its testers were already thinking about where to go for summer 2023. 

Also, the U.S. dollar is the strongest it has been in a long time. In early December, the dollar and euro were almost 1 to 1. For Americans who travel abroad, this is good news. Columbia and Vietnam used to be popular trips because you could get more bang for your buck. But now, Everywhere is looking affordable. A survey of 2,000 Americans showed 80% say they need a vacation in 2023. Travellers looking to stay connected while abroad should make the switch to eSIM. ZIM has plans in over 150 countries at local rates. Travel with ZIM and take control of your data. 

The Real 5G Experience

5G came out in 2019 with promises of faster internet, better connectivity and fewer delays in communications. But for several reasons, plans for 5G to become available to everyone have yet to go to plan. Investments in the infrastructure, rules on radiation, cost and other reasons are why the 5G rollout has stalled. Though, It’s expected 2023 will be the year we get the real 5G experience. The rise in remote workers, smartphone users, and our increasingly digital world will push demand for 5G networks. The global 5G market is projected to grow by 17% from 2023 to 2028. The U.S. will be the primary driver, but China has also joined the effort. They’re expected to have the largest number of 5G stations by the end of 2023, with 77,000 in Shanghai. South Korea and Japan are also planning on expanding their deployment of 5G stations. With more people being connected to an internet that’s faster than ever before, they’ll want to stay connected wherever they go. Most of ZIM’s plans offer 5G and LTE. High-speed internet on your travels so you can stay in contact with loved ones, business or even if you want to stream your favourite show. ZIM has your back. 

It’s clear that eSIM technology has a bright future ahead. The market will see lots of growth this year as more devices with eSIM are made available to the public. With Apple setting the pace, everyone else will feel the pressure to keep up. People still feel like they missed out on travel during the pandemic, and because of this, travel numbers will continue to increase. Advances in 5G internet are also a factor. We are more connected than ever, and having fast internet is a must in today’s world. We’ll look back at the end of the year and see just how much eSIM technology has spread. It’s here to stay and make our lives easier.