Tbreak UAETbreak UAETbreak UAE
  • Deals
  • Tech
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Guides
  • Gaming
    • News
    • Reviews
  • Entertainment
    • News
    • Netflix
    • Apple TV+
    • Disney+
    • OSN+
    • Prime Video
    • StarzPlay
  • Cars
    • News
    • Guides
  • Food
    • News
    • Guides
  • B2B
Tbreak UAETbreak UAE
Search
  • Deals
  • Tech
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Guides
  • Gaming
    • News
    • Reviews
  • Entertainment
    • News
    • Netflix
    • Apple TV+
    • Disney+
    • OSN+
    • Prime Video
    • StarzPlay
  • Cars
    • News
    • Guides
  • Food
    • News
    • Guides
  • B2B
Follow US
© 2025 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
News

The Death of Roaming Fees? Travel eSIMs Are Taking Over by 2030

Global roaming revenues will drop by a third by 2030 as travellers choose travel eSIMs for cheaper and easier connectivity.

Abbas Jaffar Ali
Last updated: 16/09/2025 3:04 PM
By
Abbas Jaffar Ali
ByAbbas Jaffar Ali
Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN...
Follow:
4 Min Read
SHARE
TL;DR
  • Travel eSIMs are driving the shift, with over 35% of trips using them by 2030.
  • MVNOs are challenging operators with cheaper and more flexible plans.
  • Operators must adapt by lowering tariffs, creating eSIM apps, and bundling services.

International roaming revenues are on track to rebound fully from the pandemic in 2025, hitting $16 billion globally. But this comeback won’t last. According to Counterpoint Research, roaming revenues could fall by a third by 2030 as travel eSIMs become the go-to option for international travellers.

Mobile operators are now being pushed to rethink their strategies as cheaper, digital-first eSIMs continue to lure travellers away from traditional roaming packages.

Roaming recovery after the pandemic

The global roaming market has already bounced back to pre-COVID levels. Counterpoint reports:

  • $16 billion in roaming revenues expected by 2025
  • 6% year-on-year growth forecast for 2025
  • 20% growth already recorded in 2024

Travellers are moving again, and they’re spending. But the stability is short-lived. Travel eSIMs, which offer cheaper and more flexible data options, are eating into operator revenues.

The Death of Roaming Fees? Travel eSIMs Are Taking Over by 2030

Travel eSIM adoption is accelerating

Since 2021, digital-first MVNOs have been expanding aggressively with eSIM services. These providers allow travellers to set up connectivity before leaving home.

Key points from the report:

More on Tbreak

du 5G+ promises 2x speeds. Here’s what that means for your iPhone 17
du 5G+ promises 2x speeds. Here’s what that means for your iPhone 17
iPhone 17 just made SIM cards history — here’s what travellers need to know
Best eSIMs for International Travel (2025)
du Rolls Out First 64T64R Dual-Band 5G-Advanced in UAE
  • By 2030, over 35% of trips will involve pre-arrival travel eSIM purchases
  • Awareness, regulatory issues and KYC requirements remain barriers
  • eSIM-ready smartphones are becoming more common each year

As eSIM penetration grows, the old ritual of buying a SIM card on arrival is fading fast. Airlines, travel agencies and booking platforms are also embedding eSIMs into their services, making them even easier to buy.

Operators face pressure from MVNOs

Counterpoint’s analysts warn that MNOs must adapt quickly. With MVNOs offering low-cost eSIMs, operators risk losing a significant chunk of their roaming business.

Options for MNOs include:

  • Lowering roaming tariffs
  • Launching standalone travel eSIM apps
  • Creating sub-brands to compete with MVNOs
  • Bundling voice and SMS with travel data plans

Without these moves, operators may be stuck defending a shrinking revenue pool.

The future of travel connectivity

Travel is already the biggest use case for eSIM and will remain so. But the market is getting crowded:

  • MVNOs are aggressively pushing low-cost plans
  • MNOs are trying to defend legacy revenues
  • Airlines, agencies and booking platforms are entering the eSIM space
  • MVNA and MVNE players are powering white-label solutions

This means brand loyalty is harder to hold. Competition will focus on pricing, partnerships and customer experience. For travellers, it’s good news. For operators, it’s a fight for survival.


What is a travel eSIM?

A travel eSIM is a digital SIM card that can be activated remotely, letting travellers connect to local mobile networks without buying a physical SIM.

Why are travel eSIMs becoming popular?

They are cheaper, more flexible and can be installed before travelling, removing the hassle of buying SIMs abroad.

How will operators respond to eSIM growth?

Operators are expected to cut roaming prices, launch travel eSIM packs and create sub-brands to compete with MVNOs.

TAGGED:CounterpointeSIMMVNOstelcoTravel
Share This Article
Whatsapp Whatsapp Threads Bluesky Copy Link
ByAbbas Jaffar Ali
Follow:
Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN to the Middle East. From computers to mobile phones and watches, Abbas is always interested in tech that is smarter and smaller.
- Advertisement -
Ad image
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
[mc4wp_form]
Prime Day 2025 Best Tech Deals in UAE
Just Published
The Lost Bus Review – A Fiery, Gripping Disaster Drama That Feels All Too Real

The Lost Bus Review – A Fiery, Gripping Disaster Drama That Feels All Too Real

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Gets a Free AlUla Expansion on 18 November

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Gets a Free AlUla Expansion on 18 November

Flash deals hit Dubai: 1-day home bargains for 10 straight days

Flash deals hit Dubai: 1-day home bargains for 10 straight days

Sushiyaki Dubai reopens its outdoor terrace with Burj Al Arab views

Sushiyaki Dubai reopens its outdoor terrace with Burj Al Arab views

Ford’s Biggest Saudi Sales Boom Since 2016 – Here’s Why

Ford’s Biggest Saudi Sales Boom Since 2016 – Here’s Why

New on Socials
FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
LinkedInFollow
Popular Articles
Amazon Prime Day UAE 2025

Best Prime Day 2025 Tech Deals in the UAE: Editor’s Picks Across Phones, Laptops, Smart Home, and More

Amazon Brings Colour to Kindle: New Kindle Colorsoft Now in UAE and KSA

Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 Deals in the UAE: Echo, Kindle, Ring & More

Best Prime Day 2025 Apple Deals in the UAE: Huge Discounts on iPhones, MacBooks, AirPods & More

Best Prime Day 2025 Apple Deals in the UAE: Huge Discounts on iPhones, MacBooks, AirPods & More

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 - Specs, Features, UAE Launch Date & Price

Galaxy Z Fold7 is Here: Thinner, Smarter, and Built to Work Hard

Honor Magic V5: The World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone with AI and 6100mAh Battery

Honor Magic V5: The World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone with AI and 6100mAh Battery

America FerreraApple TV+Drama
The Lost Bus Review – A Fiery, Gripping Disaster Drama That Feels All Too Real
Assassin's CreedGamingPC
Assassin’s Creed Mirage Gets a Free AlUla Expansion on 18 November
City Centre MirdifDHF 2025Dubai
Flash deals hit Dubai: 1-day home bargains for 10 straight days
DubaiFoodJapanese
Sushiyaki Dubai reopens its outdoor terrace with Burj Al Arab views
2025 Ford TerritoryB2BCars
Ford’s Biggest Saudi Sales Boom Since 2016 – Here’s Why
Also Check Out
Jumbo Electronics, Jio Haptik, Agentic AI UAE, AI customer service, multilingual AI chat, UAE digital transformation

Jumbo Electronics Teams Up with Jio Haptik to Bring Agentic AI to UAE Businesses

UAE’s First Arabic Telecom AI Launched by du

UAE’s First Arabic Telecom AI Launched by du

Saily Ultra Plan Launches with Unlimited eSIM Data and Built-in VPN for Global Travel

Saily Ultra Plan Launches with Unlimited eSIM Data and Built-in VPN for Global Travel

du Offers Unlimited Roaming Data for AED 350

du tops UAE indoor mobile speeds with zero dropped calls

du Offers Unlimited Roaming Data for AED 350

du Offers Unlimited Roaming Data for AED 350

Tbreak UAE
  • Tech
  • Gaming
  • 🔥
  • Entertainment
  • B2B
  • AI
  • Food
  • Cars
  • PS5
  • Xbox

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

© Tbreak Internet Content Provider UAE. All Rights Reserved.