A guide to eSIM data plans - how they work, the routing transparency problem most providers hide, and what to look for.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan without a physical card. Download a profile, scan a QR code, and you're connected.
Traditional SIM: Buy card → Insert → Activate → Wait
eSIM: Purchase → Scan QR → Connected in seconds
Most modern phones support eSIM - iPhone (XS and later), Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and many others.
Here's what eSIM marketing says: "Local data in 190+ countries."
Here's what often happens: Your traffic routes through Hong Kong, UK, or Singapore - regardless of where you are.
What you expect:
Phone in UK → UK carrier → UK IP → Internet
What often happens:
Phone in UK → UK carrier → Routed to Singapore → Singapore IP → Internet
This matters because:
- Your IP doesn't match your location - triggers security checks, wrong regional content
- Added latency - extra hops mean slower connections
- Jurisdiction issues - your traffic passes through countries you didn't choose
Most providers don't publish routing details. It's complex, it changes, and most customers don't ask.
If you're using an eSIM and want to verify where your traffic actually goes:
# Check your public IP location
curl -s ipinfo.io/json | jq '{ip, city, country, org}'
# Compare to your device timezone
date +%Z
# Trace the route
traceroute 8.8.8.8If your IP says Ireland but your timezone says London, you've got hub routing.
Traffic exits to the internet in your physical location. You get a local IP, local latency, everything works as expected.
Pros: Correct geolocation, lower latency, no platform trust issues
Traffic routes back through a central hub (often Europe) regardless of where you connect.
Pros: Cheaper for provider to operate Cons: Wrong IP location, added latency, potential platform issues
Some providers include VPN access to "fix" the routing problem. You control your apparent location regardless of actual routing.
Pros: User has control Cons: Extra battery drain, another app to manage, doesn't solve underlying issue
Do they publish where your traffic terminates? If they don't mention it, assume hub routing.
Can you get an IP that matches your physical location? Important for banking apps, streaming, business tools.
Should be instant - QR code delivered immediately after purchase, activate in seconds.
"190+ countries" means nothing if quality varies wildly. Check specific countries you need.
KYC requirements, payment options, data retention policies.
| Factor | Most Providers | Transparent Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Routing details | Hidden | Published |
| IP location | Often mismatched | Local options available |
| KYC required | Usually | No |
| Crypto payments | Rarely | Yes |
| Activation | Minutes to hours | Instant |
VoidMob eSIM publishes routing transparency:
- See routing before purchase - Know exactly which country handles your traffic
- Local IP options - Get IPs that match your actual location
- Instant activation - QR code delivered immediately
- No KYC - Email only, crypto payments accepted (BTC, ETH, SOL)
- 200+ destinations - Real worldwide carriers
Maintained by VoidMob - eSIM connectivity with transparent routing.