eSIM terms, demystified

22 terms travelers run into when shopping for international data, in plain English. No jargon.

APN(Access Point Name): The setting that tells your phone how to connect to a carrier's data network. Most carriers configure APNs automatically and you'll only need to manually set one on rare network handoffs.
Carrier-unlocked: A phone that isn't tied to a specific carrier, it'll accept SIMs and eSIMs from any provider. Required for using an Esim70 plan. Most phones bought outright from Apple, Samsung, Google, etc. are already unlocked.
Data roaming: When your home carrier's SIM uses a foreign carrier's network abroad. Historically expensive (often $10+/day). eSIMs let you skip roaming entirely by using a local-network plan directly.
Dual-SIM: A phone that can hold two SIM profiles simultaneously. Usually one physical SIM + one eSIM, or two eSIMs. Lets you keep your home number active for calls/SMS while using a travel eSIM for data.
EID(Embedded Identity Document): A 32-digit number unique to your phone's eSIM chip. Dial *#06# to view yours. Some carriers ask for the EID during eSIM activation, though Esim70 doesn't need it.
eSIM(embedded SIM): A digital SIM card built into your phone's hardware. Instead of a physical SIM card, the SIM profile is downloaded over the internet. Activates in 60 seconds via QR code, no shipping needed.
Great Firewall: China's nationwide internet censorship system that blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and many other Western services. Foreign-routed eSIMs (like Esim70's China plans) typically bypass this restriction, restoring access during your visit.
Hotspot / Tethering: Using your phone's mobile data to provide Wi-Fi for other devices (laptop, tablet, friend's phone). All Esim70 plans support hotspot by default with no daily cap.
ICCID(Integrated Circuit Card Identifier): A 19–20 digit number that uniquely identifies a SIM or eSIM profile globally. Esim70 sends your eSIM's ICCID in the activation email and you'll rarely need to know it, but it's there for troubleshooting.
IMEI(International Mobile Equipment Identity): A unique 15-digit number identifying your physical phone (separate from the SIM). Dial *#06# to view. Some countries (e.g., Turkey) register IMEIs to control local SIM use and foreign eSIMs typically aren't affected.
LTE(Long-Term Evolution): The technical standard for 4G mobile data. When you see '4G LTE' on your phone's status bar, that's the network type. Most Esim70 plans deliver LTE or 5G speeds.
MNO(Mobile Network Operator): A carrier that owns and operates the physical wireless network in a country (e.g., NTT Docomo in Japan, Vodafone in the UK, Verizon in the US). Esim70 connects to multiple MNOs per country.
MVNO(Mobile Virtual Network Operator): A carrier that resells network capacity from an MNO under a different brand. Many travel eSIM providers operate as MVNOs in some markets.
PIN code: A short numeric code that locks a SIM or eSIM. Most travel eSIMs (including Esim70) ship with PIN disabled so you don't have to enter one on every reboot.
QR code: The square barcode you scan to install your eSIM. Esim70 emails one immediately after purchase. Scanning it tells your phone where to download the SIM profile from.
Roaming: Same as data roaming, using your home SIM on a foreign network. Generally expensive; eSIMs are the modern alternative.
SM-DP+(Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus): The server address your phone contacts to download an eSIM profile. Included in your activation email and you only need it if QR scanning fails and you have to enter details manually.
Tier-1 carrier: A country's major national carrier (NTT Docomo in Japan, T-Mobile in the US, Vodafone in Germany). Tier-1 networks have the broadest coverage and fastest speeds. Esim70 partners with tier-1 carriers in every supported country.
Top-up: Adding more data to your existing eSIM mid-trip. Top-ups use the same eSIM profile you already installed, so no reinstallation needed.
Unlimited data: A plan with no GB cap. Watch for fair-use policies: many 'unlimited' plans throttle speeds or cap hotspot data after a daily threshold. Esim70 offers tiered plans that match your real usage; for true unlimited needs see our largest plan tiers.
VoIP(Voice over Internet Protocol): Calls made over the internet rather than the cellular voice network (WhatsApp voice, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom). Some countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia) restrict local VoIP — foreign-routed eSIMs often bypass these restrictions.
VPN(Virtual Private Network): A service that encrypts your traffic and routes it through a server in another country. Useful for accessing geo-blocked content. Not the same as a foreign-routed eSIM, though both can help in restrictive countries.

Term you don't see here?

Email us and we'll add it.

eSIM terms, demystified

22 terms travelers run into when shopping for international data, in plain English. No jargon.

APN(Access Point Name): The setting that tells your phone how to connect to a carrier's data network. Most carriers configure APNs automatically and you'll only need to manually set one on rare network handoffs.
Carrier-unlocked: A phone that isn't tied to a specific carrier, it'll accept SIMs and eSIMs from any provider. Required for using an Esim70 plan. Most phones bought outright from Apple, Samsung, Google, etc. are already unlocked.
Data roaming: When your home carrier's SIM uses a foreign carrier's network abroad. Historically expensive (often $10+/day). eSIMs let you skip roaming entirely by using a local-network plan directly.
Dual-SIM: A phone that can hold two SIM profiles simultaneously. Usually one physical SIM + one eSIM, or two eSIMs. Lets you keep your home number active for calls/SMS while using a travel eSIM for data.
EID(Embedded Identity Document): A 32-digit number unique to your phone's eSIM chip. Dial *#06# to view yours. Some carriers ask for the EID during eSIM activation, though Esim70 doesn't need it.
eSIM(embedded SIM): A digital SIM card built into your phone's hardware. Instead of a physical SIM card, the SIM profile is downloaded over the internet. Activates in 60 seconds via QR code, no shipping needed.
Great Firewall: China's nationwide internet censorship system that blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and many other Western services. Foreign-routed eSIMs (like Esim70's China plans) typically bypass this restriction, restoring access during your visit.
Hotspot / Tethering: Using your phone's mobile data to provide Wi-Fi for other devices (laptop, tablet, friend's phone). All Esim70 plans support hotspot by default with no daily cap.
ICCID(Integrated Circuit Card Identifier): A 19–20 digit number that uniquely identifies a SIM or eSIM profile globally. Esim70 sends your eSIM's ICCID in the activation email and you'll rarely need to know it, but it's there for troubleshooting.
IMEI(International Mobile Equipment Identity): A unique 15-digit number identifying your physical phone (separate from the SIM). Dial *#06# to view. Some countries (e.g., Turkey) register IMEIs to control local SIM use and foreign eSIMs typically aren't affected.
LTE(Long-Term Evolution): The technical standard for 4G mobile data. When you see '4G LTE' on your phone's status bar, that's the network type. Most Esim70 plans deliver LTE or 5G speeds.
MNO(Mobile Network Operator): A carrier that owns and operates the physical wireless network in a country (e.g., NTT Docomo in Japan, Vodafone in the UK, Verizon in the US). Esim70 connects to multiple MNOs per country.
MVNO(Mobile Virtual Network Operator): A carrier that resells network capacity from an MNO under a different brand. Many travel eSIM providers operate as MVNOs in some markets.
PIN code: A short numeric code that locks a SIM or eSIM. Most travel eSIMs (including Esim70) ship with PIN disabled so you don't have to enter one on every reboot.
QR code: The square barcode you scan to install your eSIM. Esim70 emails one immediately after purchase. Scanning it tells your phone where to download the SIM profile from.
Roaming: Same as data roaming, using your home SIM on a foreign network. Generally expensive; eSIMs are the modern alternative.
SM-DP+(Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus): The server address your phone contacts to download an eSIM profile. Included in your activation email and you only need it if QR scanning fails and you have to enter details manually.
Tier-1 carrier: A country's major national carrier (NTT Docomo in Japan, T-Mobile in the US, Vodafone in Germany). Tier-1 networks have the broadest coverage and fastest speeds. Esim70 partners with tier-1 carriers in every supported country.
Top-up: Adding more data to your existing eSIM mid-trip. Top-ups use the same eSIM profile you already installed, so no reinstallation needed.
Unlimited data: A plan with no GB cap. Watch for fair-use policies: many 'unlimited' plans throttle speeds or cap hotspot data after a daily threshold. Esim70 offers tiered plans that match your real usage; for true unlimited needs see our largest plan tiers.
VoIP(Voice over Internet Protocol): Calls made over the internet rather than the cellular voice network (WhatsApp voice, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom). Some countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia) restrict local VoIP — foreign-routed eSIMs often bypass these restrictions.
VPN(Virtual Private Network): A service that encrypts your traffic and routes it through a server in another country. Useful for accessing geo-blocked content. Not the same as a foreign-routed eSIM, though both can help in restrictive countries.

Term you don't see here?

Email us and we'll add it.