BICS teams with Carrefour on ‘travel eSIM’ solution for customers using mobile phones abroad — Retail Technology Innovation Hub

Carrefour has announced a partnership with BICS to launch a new ‘travel eSIM’ offering via its mobile operator arm.

Before traveling internationally, mobile users with compatible phones can purchase a pre-paid eSIM, offering, according to a press release, “a more affordable option than traditional roaming rates, depending on the operator”.  

BICS is providing the eSIM and coverage around the world, via its roaming network.

Downloaded via a QR code, travel eSIMs allow users to connect directly to the network they’re visiting, instead of traffic traveling internationally back to their home country. This is done at a fraction of the cost of normal roaming, according to those involved. 

The aforementioned press release notes: “With the European summer holiday season just around the corner, these travel eSIMs arrive just in time for holidaymakers and travellers to save on their phone bills and avoid the inconvenience of relying solely on hotel WiFi.”

“While operators within the EU offer mobile roaming in France at the same price as domestic mobile data, operators from elsewhere, now including most UK operators, carry roaming charges.”