Ubigi is a popular eSIM provider and a part of the NTT group offering data plans in more than 200 destinations for travelers and remote workers. Founded in 2018, Ubigi won the MVNO of the Year Awards 2023 and is trusted by leading brands such as BMW. It has, in fact, been integrated by many car manufacturers.
Ubigi offers various data plans – from 1-day plans to unlimited ones – directly from the Ubigi app, which is available in an impressive 8 languages. It's really affordable, too, which is one of its major advantages.
The eSIM is also pretty easy to set up, and there are a lot of guides and videos on the website that help you with any issues you might have. However, one thing that might upset a few of you is that Ubigi doesn’t offer any voice calls or SMS on its plans, so you’ll have to use the Internet to make calls through apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, etc.
Ubigi: Plans and pricing
Ubigi’s presence in over 200 destinations comes with various validities: one-time, monthly, annual, and unlimited. The one-off plans are available for 1 day, 7 days, 15 days, and 30 days.
The prices are more affordable than competitors like Airalo and aloSim, with the lowest being $2.5 for 500MB data in Japan. Here are some popular Ubigi plans.
You can purchase a data top-up directly from the Ubigi app. One good thing is that even if you run out of data or Wi-Fi connection, you can still run the Ubigi app to top up. However, it's always recommended to set up an eSIM and purchase a plan before you land at your destination.
It's also worth noting that Ubigi supports multiple payment methods, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards, etc.
These are the best eSIM for international travel in 2024.
Ubigi: Features
Let’s now look at some really handy features offered by Ubigi:
5G coverage
Ubigi offers 5G coverage in more than 40 countries currently with benefits like high speed, ultra-connectivity, and low latency. The best part is that you don’t have to pay anything extra to switch to 5G – if your device supports 5G and you’re in a country where Ubigi offers 5G coverage, you can simply switch to a 5G network.
France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE, and Vietnam are some countries where Ubigi offers 5G connectivity. The list is expanding quickly, and new countries are added every month.
Tethering
Ubigi supports seamless data tethering without any restrictions, allowing you to share your data. So, if you’re a couple visiting a country, you don’t need to get two Ubigi eSIMs – just purchase one eSIM and share your data through tethering.
Full MVNO
Ubigi is a part of the Transatel brand (which is now a part of the NTT Group) – Europe’s leading MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) enabler. Ubigi is a full MVNO, which means that it has a full-scale proprietary core network.
This translates into higher speeds and seamless connectivity for users. This also gives Ubigi a lot of flexibility in its connectivity offering, which can be seen in its diverse plans for various regions.
Ubigi also has partnership agreements with 200 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) around the world. This means you’ll experience fewer data disconnections and low data latency with Ubigi when compared to other providers.
Ubigi: Installation
Installing and activating an Ubigi eSIM is pretty easy and takes only a few minutes. We found a lot of extensive guides and videos on the Ubigi website with step-by-step illustrations on how to activate your eSIM. You have two options to install an Ubigi eSIM:
- Use the Ubigi app to download your free eSIM profile and then create an account and choose your plan.
- Use the Ubigi website to first purchase a plan and receive a QR code to activate your eSIM profile.
The process is largely the same on both Android and iPhone. However, on Android devices, you’ll need to configure your APN settings. Here’s how:
- Tap on Mobile Networks and then click Access Point Names.
- Select the eSIM profile from the bottom of the screen and then add a new APN. For Ubigi, the APN settings are: Name: ubigi, APN: mobiledata
- Save when this is done, and ensure your new APN is selected on the Access Points Name page.
You’ll need to ensure that you still use your primary SIM card for voice calling and SMS purposes since Ubigi is a data-only eSIM provider. But, of course, you can use Ubigi to make VoIP calls through apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and so on.
If you’re installing Ubigi on your iPhone, we recommend disabling the “Data switching” option. If enabled, your iPhone may automatically switch data usage to your primary SIM, leading to a hefty data roaming bill.
Ubigi app's security credentials are also solid, as there's biometric login enabled, allowing you to quickly login with your OS' Face ID or fingerprint unlock functionality.
Ubigi: Support
You’ll need to fill out a contact form to get in touch with Ubigi’s customer support. Live chat is also available in English and French, subject to the availability of agents. What's more, even if you don’t find the chat option, you can expect a reply to your query ticket within 24 hours.
In our experience, you won’t need much support from the Ubigi team in the first place, given how easy it is to install and use their eSIMs. Plus, there are hundreds of FAQs and lots of support documents and troubleshooting guides on the website’s ‘Assistance’ page – enough to answer any questions you might have. We also liked that the website is available in 4 languages to accommodate different users.
Ubigi: Final verdict
Ubigi, with its affordable data plans in 200 destinations, high-speed 5G connections, and an easy installation process, is an excellent eSIM for your next trip. It is a full-MVNO provider and a part of the NTT group. This means you get high connection speeds and almost no data disconnections.
Ubigi also allows you to share your data with others through tethering – and if you run out of data or find no Wi-Fi connections, you can still top up your plan using the Ubigi app, available in 8 languages. There are also various plans to choose from one-time (1-day, 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans), monthly, and annual.
However, one downside is that you don’t get voice calls or SMS with Ubigi’s plans. The customer support is also limited to just live chat (that is also if agents are available) and an online form. That said, you won’t need much support from Ubigi in the first place, as there are a lot of extensive help articles on the website that will guide you through any doubts.
Ubigi: FAQs
Can I install Ubigi eSIM using QR code?
Yes, you can install an Ubigi eSIM on your device using a QR code. For this, you’ll need to visit the Ubigi website and purchase a plan. After this, you’ll receive a QR activation code on your email within 15 minutes. Scan the code on the device you want to install the eSIM on and follow the prompts.
Do I get 5G connectivity with Ubigi?
Yes, Ubigi currently offers 5G connectivity in 35 countries, thanks to its MVNO status and partnerships with mobile networks around the world. You don’t need to pay anything extra to enable 5G on your device.
If your phone is compatible with 5G and your Ubigi plan offers 5G, you’re good to go. However, 5G connections consume a lot of data, and you may run out of your data limits quickly.
How many plans do Ubigi offer?
Installing and activating an Ubigi eSIM is completely free – there are no activation or set-up charges. You only have to pay for the data plan you need, which starts at $2.50. There are several one-time plans with various validities: 1-day, 7-day, 15-day, and 30-days. Besides this, you can also choose from monthly and annual plans if you’re a frequent traveler.
