Truphone eSIM Review: how much does it cost and how does it work?

What is Truphone?

Truphone is a UK based company offering mobile solutions with coverage in over 60 countries around the world. It provides services to companies wishing to use its partnerships with operators in different countries. Truphone is also available to customers via Truphone data SIM and eSIM.

Truphone aims to change the way the world communicates by creating a new range of possibilities. For decades they have been encouraging digital mobility to make the customer decide how they want to communicate.

Their team of engineers develop: connectivity between objects, people and companies. They achieve this through the creation of SIM software, focused on management platforms and distributed by a powerful global network. The UK company was founded in 2006, on a farm in Kent, with the intention of improving connectivity in rural areas.

Since then they have invested a lot of money in building their own network infrastructure: Madrid, London, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, etc., and have entered into agreements with many other operators. Today, Truphone provides its services to more than 3500 multinational companies all over the world, in more than 190 countries.

What kind of products do you sell?

Although the number of employees does not exceed 500, it is a company that is recognised worldwide. Truphone offers products for businesses and consumers. Some of its highlights include eSIMs for connecting to the Internet on iPhones and its call recording system for finance companies such as banks.
Supported by its connectivity infrastructure, it also offers mobile solutions for small companies that want to sell services to their niche markets. We will tell you more about it in the following sections.

Truphone for Business

Trupone shares its connectivity services for companies of different sizes. It works not only in one country, but allows companies to operate on the same network in a large number of countries.

Small
Aimed at small business owners who travel constantly and need to be connected all the time.

Large
Its purpose is to unite companies operating in multiple countries, through the ability to make international calls and customised mobile plans.

Truphone for Finance

Call and SMS Recording
Truphone has worked on several innovations to improve the call recording system, one of them is called Call Forking, which improves performance compared to other traditional recording systems and works in more than 190 countries around the world.

Truphone for Things

Connecting to everything possible has been a trend in recent years. Truphone has been at the forefront in this aspect, offering different solutions for the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) through the use of global SIM cards and the new eSIM.

IoT Global SIM Card

It looks similar to a traditional SIM card. The change is in the way it works, because it is international and compatible with eSIM technology.

eSIM for IoT

This is one of the main technologies that Truphone is taking advantage of to offer its Internet of Things services. Its advantage over other technologies lies in its flexibility to be updated centrally from a control platform.
It also allows remote activation, in situations where there are no interfaces that can be managed by the user.

Truphone for the Consumer

Truphone for consumers is aimed at direct users. This means that its services can be ordered by anyone with a compatible Android or iOS device.

eSIM data plan for iPad
By installing the My Truphone App on your iPhone you can manage different types of plans ranging from 100MB of data up to 3GB. We’ll tell you more about how it works later on.

eSIM data plan for iPad
If you also have an iPad, you can connect it to the Internet using a Truphone eSIM. This time you will need to download and install it from the iPad settings.

eSIM data plan for Apple Watch
Truphone is known for having a close relationship with Apple, which is why it has a customised eSIM plan for Apple Watch called Family Settings. With this plan you can add multiple watches from one iPhone. We’ll tell you more in detail in our section on how it works.

Truphone Connect

Truphone Connect is a service offered by this company to other communications companies to make use of its mobile network around the world. It has an API to manage the service with the client.

Truphone eSIM reviews

We have compiled here opinions from Truphone customers taking into account different aspects of the service such as: customer service, quality of service and prices.

Customer service

Some users report a slow response time to their incident during their trip. Therefore, if you have a problem with the service, you should first try to find a solution on your own to avoid waiting for up to days, which can lead to a bad experience.

Quality of service

Depending on the country, Truphone’s coverage varies, as the provider has partnerships with local operators in many destinations. Some customers have reported coverage problems in countries such as Greece and Germany and slow service in the US.

Price

This is influenced by the state the customer is in before using the service. It is clear that it is much cheaper to use the Truphone eSIM for travelling than to activate the roaming of the local operator. On the other hand, when compared to competitors’ prices, the Truphone eSIM is more expensive than other brands with similar features.

In which countries do Truphone services work?

Not all of Truphone’s services and eSIM work where the company has coverage. For example, eSIM plans for iPads are only available in 48 countries.

So that you can have a clear idea of the list of countries where each service mentioned in the previous section operates, we will classify them by zones.

Countries where Truphone eSIM for iPad works

The 48 countries where you have the possibility to surf the internet with a Truphone eSIM on your iPad cellular version are as follows:

Countries where the Truphone eSIM for iPhone works

Truphone’s eSIM for iPhone has wider coverage than the one available for iPads. In total there are 113 countries where you can sign up for an eSIM with this company.

Countries where the Truphone eSIM for Apple Watch works

The countries where you can activate a Truphone eSIM on your Apple Watch are limited to those where the company has offices open. The countries are as follows:

Where to buy the Truphone eSIM

To buy your Truphone eSIM and install it on your mobile phone you will need to download the My Truphone App, register, add payment method and choose the plan you are interested in.
On the Apple Watch you can do this by logging in from the My Watch App on the iPhone. After adding your plan to your watch, you can manage it on your computer.

Global data plan

In general terms, Truphone offers the following data plans at these prices:

Truphone eSIM Alternatives

Depending on how you are going to use your connection, whether for data or calls, there is a very good alternative. This option is called Holafly, which also has an eSIM card and physical SIM card service with international connectivity for your trips abroad and to avoid paying roaming charges.

If you are an employee, traveller or company looking for options for internet on business trips or holidays, Holafly can also work for you. This company offers a wide variety of tariffs and destinations, in some cases with unlimited data plans, for example in the United States, Japan, Mexico and Canada. Here are the links to check out Holafly’s international data SIM cards and data eSIMs.

Truphone Compatible Devices

The Truphone eSIM is compatible with an extensive list of devices. Below we will classify them by category.

• Mobile phones
• iPad
• Watches

Truphone eSIM compatible phones

The Truphone eSIM supports an extensive list of devices. Next we will classify them by categories.

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• Google Pixel 3
• Google Pixel 3a
• Google Pixel 4
• Samsung Galaxy S20
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
• Samsung Galaxy Fold

Truphone eSIM compatible Smartwatches

Truphone has an alliance with Apple, which gives it greater capacity to customise the eSIM for this type of watch. Compatible smartwatches are:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6

Truphone eSIM compatible iPads

The iPads compatible with the Truphone eSIM are those launched after 2018. The versions are as follows:

• iPad Mini
• iPad
• iPad Air
• iPad Pro 11-inch
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch.

Truphone eSIM operative features

• Where to buy: mobile application.
• Top Up: allows you to top up your data plan when it has run out.
• Installation: directly via the mobile application.
• eSIM profile: yes, an eSIM profile is used to install different plans.
• Configuration: automatic.
• Compatibility detector: detects if the mobile phone is compatible before purchasing the eSIM.
• Diagnostics: indicates if everything is working properly.

How Truphone coverage works

Truphone wants you to be connected at all times no matter where you are, so they have created a series of points that they consider relevant and have been striving for years to achieve their goals without leaving aside their initial ideas:

Unique global infrastructure

It has a global mobile network in more than 190 countries. From the beginning, they wanted to improve the quality of data or international calls while lowering prices for businesses, employees or IoT assets.

Unified global network architecture

The centralised service model is not very common and that is why Truphone is the only global mobile network to offer it. For years they have been in contact with the best telephone operators in each country to achieve their standard, if they don’t succeed they look for another company until they do.

eSIM Technology

Truphone has a complete connectivity ecosystem so that eSIM cards have a valid operating system for any device. They also provide a network with high quality global coverage that can be customised on request with a profile to suit whatever the user is looking for.

Truphone connectivity

The way of rethinking this section can change your way of thinking, since they offer you from the manufacture of the device or chip to the final part of the process, which is the customer service. In this way you will have the possibility of unifying: device manufacturers, mobile equipment and the end customer, i.e. you.

Truphone Co-funders

This company was founded in 2006 by James Tagg, Alistair Campbell and Alexander Straub. Here’s who they are.

Alexander Straub: born in 1972 in Erlenbach, Bavaria, is a German entrepreneur. He studied in Darmstadt and at Cornell University, where he obtained a Master of Engineering degree. He advanced his doctoral studies at Oxford University, but dropped out. Creator of Mondus, he has also invested in software such as IBX and OB10.

Alistair Campbell: A graduate of Manchester University with a degree in computer science, he is another of Truphone’s leaders.

James Tagg: is an inventor who had already worked in technology before founding Truphone. He is a graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in Computer Science and Physics. He is also a graduate engineer from Cambridge University. His most notable work includes patents around the world on touchscreens and VoIP calls. In 2016 he decided to leave Truphone, although he remained a shareholder in the company.

History of Truphone

In its early days Truphone was called Software Cellular Network Ltd and its focus was far from what it is today. It established partnerships with Nokia and Apple offering VoIP calling. For several years, this was its core business until 2008, when it acquired SIM4Travel and entered the GSM world.
In 2010, it launched the Truphone Local Anywhere service, offering its customers the option of having a local number for messages, internet and calls on every international trip they make. During the same year it created alliances with Vodafone in Holland and Orange in Spain, ending the year with an expansion to Oceania, exactly in Australia.

A year later, it began efforts to explore another sector focused on the security of companies, making call recording services available. In 2013, it continued to grow and began operations in Hong Kong, Germany, Poland and the United States.

As for eSIM, in 2018 Truphone was one of the first providers to launch mobile services using this new technology within the iPhone by installing the My Truphone App.

Where Truphone works?

Truphone started operating in the UK in 2006. It is currently headquartered in London at 25 Canada Square in Canary Wharf.

Other locations around the world

United States: Truphone has three offices in the United States. Several of them have been in operation since 2013.

• New York: located at 1350 Avenue of the Americas on Floor 2. Their contact email address is business.us@truphone.com.
• North Carolina: the office is located in the city of Duhram, 4819 Emperor Blvd in Suite 400, near Research Triangle Park. The email contact is the same as in New York.
• Ohio: located in Cleveland at 6801 Engle Road inside the L & M Suites in the city of Middleburg Heights.

Spain: for the Spanish market the company has an office in Madrid at Avenida de Europa 24, Edificio Torona B, Planta baja D. The contact email address is business.es@truphone.com.

Australia: the office is located in the city of Sydney, at 383 George Street, New South Wales, 2000. The contact telephone number is: 2 8999 4206.

France: in this country there is an office located in the city of Paris, the exact address is WeWork Coeur Marais, 64 Rue des Archives, 75003. To call them you must dial 771950909.

Germany: Truphone has two offices, one located in the Main-Taunus district and the other in Munich.

• Munich: The office in this district is located at Landshuter Str. 26, 85716 Unterschleißheim. The contact telephone number is: 8921539956.
• Hessen: located in the Main-Taunus district in Eschborn, Mergenthalerallee 79-81, 65760. To reach them by phone, dial: 61967777636.

Hong Kong: Truphone has an office in the Kowloon district, 16/F
700 Nathan Road. The contact telephone number is: 52808080.

Netherlands: Truphone is located in the city of Utrecht, Proostwetering, 41, 3543. The contact telephone number is: 89933333.

Poland: Trupone is located in Warsaw, the exact address of its office is Warsaw Financial Center, Emilii Plater 53, 00-113.

Portugal: its office is located in Porto Salvo, Taguspark, Avenida Professor Doutor Cavaco Silva, Edifício Qualidade B2 3º. The contact telephone number is: 21 120 2622.

Philippines: Truphone’s office is located at iSquare Building, 15, Meralco Ave, San Antonio Pasig. To contact them you should call 284777557.

Russia: Truphone can be found in Moscow at Building 4/5, Proyezd 4922, Zelenograd. The contact telephone number is (499) 995-07-73.

Frequently asked questions about Truphone

Social networks and contact Truphone

LinkedIn: https://es.linkedin.com/company/truphone
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truphone
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Truphone
Medium: https://medium.com/@Truphone
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Truphone

Jimmy Carreño

It is too early to find what we are looking for, I said to myself, put aside the things you were told you would live for comfortably, for that if it can be late today, it is for me. I'll stay at home for a few days and yet I feel it's getting late. Collaborator for Holafly Spain.