eSIM - Now available on O2

[Chris_K]

UPDATE 24 Sep '20: 5G eSIM has now launched on O2. You'll need a 5G and eSIM compatible device.

O2 is excited to announce that customers can use eSIM technology on the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, as well as the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and the Google Pixel 3 and 3XL from 19 September 2019.

O2 customers need only pop into their local store or call customer services to request a new eSIM pack. You can then download an eSIM profile and swap your current plastic SIM card over to your new eSIM profile following the normal SIM swap process.

Customers will still have the option to use a traditional plastic SIM card should they wish.

We have a dedicated eSIM help & support page here, with many Q&A's.

[jonsie]

Any info on this @Chris_K ?

[Chris_K]

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@NFH wrote:

Why hasn't O2 simlarly started supporting eSIM on prepaid

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This was something we were working on, and still are, though the COVID-19 crisis has had a negative impact on some projects while our focus shifted to maintaining our network during this crucial time, and supporting our customers wherever possible. It's still something being worked on, though we can't provide any kind of ETA or timeframe for this becoming available to customers unfortunately.

[jonsie]

Thank you @Chris_K 

[NFH]

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@Chris_K wrote:

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@NFH wrote:

Why hasn't O2 simlarly started supporting eSIM on prepaid

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This was something we were working on, and still are, though the COVID-19 crisis has had a negative impact on some projects while our focus shifted to maintaining our network during this crucial time, and supporting our customers wherever possible. It's still something being worked on, though we can't provide any kind of ETA or timeframe for this becoming available to customers unfortunately.

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Thanks, @Chris_K, but I still don't understand why O2 wrote in September 2019 "We’re not currently offering eSIM to our Pay As You Go customers. We’re working on this and it won’t be long before we can offer eSIMs to all our customers with compatible phones".

Even before COVID-19 struck the UK in March 2020, it was already a "long" time since September 2019. Therefore the promise had already been broken, so the delay can't be put down to COVID-19. What other reasons have caused this not to have been implemented soon after September 2019 (as promised) and before March 2020?

[Chris_K]

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@NFH wrote:

Thanks, @Chris_K, but I still don't understand why O2 wrote in September 2019 "We’re not currently offering eSIM to our Pay As You Go customers. We’re working on this and it won’t be long before we can offer eSIMs to all our customers with compatible phones".

Even before COVID-19 struck the UK in March 2020, it was already a "long" time since September 2019. Therefore the promise had already been broken, so the delay can't be put down to COVID-19. What other reasons have caused this not to have been implemented soon after September 2019 (as promised) and before March 2020?

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eSIM is still a new technology in its infancy so it's always going to be difficult to give a timescale on this becoming available, and unfortunately "it won't be long" is open to interpretation, especially when you put it in the context of switching on a new network technology. Consider that the first 5G platform was created in February 2017, but that 5G only launched in the UK in 2019.

Outside of this, I'm afraid I can't get into any further specifics. Sorry for any disappointment our lack of Pay As You Go eSIM has caused. It's still something being worked on, though don't currently have any timescales or ETA I can provide.

[Beccio]

Can i run on both Samsung galaxy s20 ultra 5g which is esom compatible and Samsung galaxy watch active 2 4g which is also esim compatible same number kn esim? Apparently im now able to scan a qr code on my watch now.
Thanks in advance

[MI5]

@Beccio 

O2 don't support esim for your watch unfortunately.

[Beccio]

Good morning and thanks for the reply but how come that is now 1 month that i could scan a QR code for and esim on my watch? Thanks

[gmarkj]

We have been told that o2 don't offer eSim for it.
@Chris_K can you confirm if this is still true?

[Chris_K]

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@gmarkj wrote:
We have been told that o2 don't offer eSim for it.
@Chris_K can you confirm if this is still true?

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This is still correct - currently, eSIM only works on the following devices on O2:

• iPhone XS Max, XS, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max and SE 2020
• Samsung Galaxy S20 4G, S20 5G, S20 5G Plus and S20 Ultra 5G
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL
• Microsoft Surface Pro X
• Apple Watch