A boom in travel and a slow but steady phase out of physical Sim card slots by smartphone makers like Apple have caused a surge in eSim adoption, analysts have said.
More than six billion eSim-capable devices are expected to be shipped by 2026, said Ankit Malhotra, a senior research analyst at Counterpoint, a global technology research firm.
"Nobody wants to lose customers," he said.
Traditionally, smartphones have relied on physical Sim (subscriber identity module) cards, often the size of a fingernail, to connect users with phone and data plans.
Although physical Sim cards have been prevalent for many years, they are also a source of frustration, especially among international travellers.
On arrival in a new country, it is still common for people to make their first trip to a store to buy a Sim card, and then carefully install it in their phones.
The cumbersome process, as against the innovative smartphone, is annoying to many.
Users can switch their phone providers quickly using eSim (embedded Sim) technology.
"Earlier operators were not that willing to adopt eSims because they thought it might churn their subscribers," said Mr Malhotra. The technology has been around since 2016, he added.
The convenience of eSim technology is moving the needle as carriers allow their networks to appear on eSim apps.
"They're coming around to it, especially with the iPhone clearly moving in that direction," Mr Malhotra said.
While iPhone models have supported eSim technology since 2018, the introduction of the iPhone 14 in 2022, the US version of which eliminated the physical Sim card slot, proved to be a turning point, he added.
While Sim cards and Sim card slots are still prevalent in smartphones, many in the premium category now support eSims.
Adoption of the technology also received a boost from so-called post-pandemic "revenge travel", Mr Malhotra said.
"That's the biggest use case," he said.
"If you want to go on a seven-country tour, you can use an eSim through a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), and that will allow you to use your phone immediately in those seven countries."
MVNOs operate without a physical footprint, Mr Malhotra said.
"They run their entire operations online ... they create an app and they can serve millions of smartphone users worldwide," he added.
Riding the wave of the MVNO boom is Dina Tsybulskaya, chief executive and chief strategist for Lithuania-based eSim Plus, which describes itself as a mobile data and virtual Sim company with more than three million users.
"I switched from traditional telecom," said Ms Tsybulskaya, the former chief executive of Telekom Romania Mobile. "This is the future, it's going to be global ... and it's looking bright."
Ms Tsybulskaya anticipates that 80 per cent of smartphone users will have eSim-capable devices by 2027.
"You're going to have fully digital connectivity and you're going to have it at any point of the world," she said.
The adoption of eSim technology in the GCC, she said, is among the strongest in the world.
"This is one of our fastest growing markets among all regions," she said.
"The region has become really attractive for people who we would call digital nomads ... they're very technologically savvy, and they're travelling a lot.
"It's a perfect match."
Room for growth?
While there's definitely momentum for eSim technology, that momentum has been reserved mainly for the premium smartphone market.
"The market is still developing and saturation is still far away for now," said Mr Malhotra. "If you go for a budget or lower-than-budget smartphone, you don't see eSim coming to that range yet."
The technology has seen the widest adoption among higher-end iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users, he added.
Ms Tsybulskaya agreed that physical Sim cards still dominate on lower-end smartphones.
"If you remember not too long ago, that was the case with 5G," she said, referring to the penetration of the speedier wireless communication.
"It was a very premium thing."
Ms Tsybulskaya said she was confident that eSim technology would follow that pattern.
"It's going to become very normal, and cheaper," she said.
Importance in conflict zones
Amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, eSims have also proven critical to ensuring that communication remains possible amid power outages, internet blackouts and data jamming.
Efforts to try and circumvent telecommunications blackouts have proven effective using eSim technology
Simly, a Dubai-based telecommunications company founded in 2022 with offices in Jeddah, Beirut, Baghdad and Erbil, offered free eSim accounts “to help families in Gaza reach out to each other”.
The company raised more than $70,000 in less than 24 hours to help restore internet connectivity in Gaza through eSims, it said in an October 28 Instagram post.
Through the company’s app, various eSim plans are available for purchase in Turkey, Spain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Palestine and in other countries.
“Hundreds of eSims have already been distributed and successfully connected civilians, journalists and doctors around the borders of Gaza,” the company said on Instagram.
The purchase and distribution of eSim plans, however, also depends on getting the information out to people affected by blackouts.
Despite this, Ms Tsybulskaya said that the ability to quickly switch phone and data plan providers in both Gaza and Ukraine illustrates the broader advantage of eSims.
"It can be an earthquake, flood or conflict, infrastructure is vulnerable to crisis," she said. "Through eSims we're able to immediately look at who still has coverage and what provider is still working ... you have an immediate opportunity to switch."
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Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
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The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
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Power: Combined output 920hp
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
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Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
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Funding stage: Seed round
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
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Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
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Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Company profile
Name: One Good Thing
Founders: Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke
Based in: Dubai
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 5 employees
Stage: Looking for seed funding
Investors: Self-funded and seeking external investors
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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