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Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced the official launch of the eSIM technology in Egypt on Thursday, December 5th. They stated that the service would be available through the four main telecom operators and encouraged consumers to start using the newly launched service.
The eSIM launch came after a major anticipation. There had been news, with the oldest dating back two or more years ago, that stated that the launch of the eSIM was already in the works.
The launch of eSIM technology in Egypt marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward digital transformation. So, now that the novel technology is already here, to what extent can it benefit both consumers and the telecom industry? And can it be a turning point?
An Overview of eSIM Technology
The majority of the world is familiar with eSIM, despite its recent launch in Egypt. An embedded SIM, or eSIM, is a virtual SIM card that is integrated into a device instead of being a physical SIM card. It provides simplicity and flexibility for mobile connection by enabling consumers to set up services and switch between carriers remotely.
The eSIM technology was first introduced as an innovation in 2010; however, it wasn’t available for consumers until 2016. Since its introduction to consumers, it has gained major traction due to its flexibility and reliability.
Introducing the eSIM to the Egyptian market: Preparations and Launch
As we previously stated, the introduction of eSIM technology is a pivotal shift in the telecommunications landscape, as it now offers endless opportunities for many technologies to be enabled. The release of this technology wasn’t an overnight decision; the four main telecom operators in Egypt—Vodafone, E&, WE, and Orange—have been going through many trials since 2022 to ensure a seamless implementation of the service for all consumers. The trials finally came to an end after proving effectiveness, which allowed NTRA to give the green light for this launch.
A Quick Look at Operator Campaigns
Upon the official launch last Thursday, the four operators proceeded to open the doors for everyone to switch to eSIM or purchase new eSIM lines.
Orange
Orange Egypt’s effort was the most apparent. They launched an awareness campaign where they not only introduced the service but also offered a step-by-step guide to how to activate the eSIM. It’s also worth mentioning that Orange Egypt is the only service provider until now to offer either a SIM swap or purchase a new eSIM digitally through their application.
Vodafone
Vodafone was also quick to action and launched a campaign to announce the availability of the services through all of their branches.
In addition to announcing via all social media platforms, Vodafone also launched a TV ad announcing the service. The ad was visually stunning and demonstrated the significance and novelty of the eSIM technology in Egypt.
WE (Telecom Egypt)
WE (Telecom Egypt) took to all their social media platforms to announce the launch of the service. They welcomed all their users to switch from physical SIMs to eSIMs through their branches.
e& Egypt
E& also announced the launch of the eSIM service; however, they were less visible than the other three providers by posting only one post and not providing any other information.
Final Thoughts
As consumers, we are very excited to be witnessing this great step towards the adoption of new and crucial technologies. But despite the many advantages and opportunities, we also expect to see more awareness being raised.
When it comes to this, we have to give Orange Egypt a round of applause for being more than ready for the launch. Not only did they successfully make people aware of the service, but they also were the first to provide it both digitally and on the ground.
The three telecom providers need to consider that in addition to people who already have an idea or two, many may have no idea what eSIM means or the benefits it offers. This is why it is crucial to start promoting awareness through multiple campaigns to ensure that everyone gets the most out of this exciting technology.
