topic Re: Esim in Phones

Esim

BrendanB3591 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:47:58 GMT

Why have 48 not released esims yet when 3 (whose network they operate on) already have them? Surely it's going to encourage customers to migrate to other virtual operators who are offering this facility for esim only phones

Re: Esim

dalyer — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:00:09 GMT

Nobody here on the Community Forum is going to be able to answer your question.

You'll have to contact 48 support and ask them.

See the links in my signature below.

I thought that the only eSIM only phones were US model iPhones and EU/global iPhones still had a SIM tray?

Re: Esim

DavidMartinG0278 — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:07:06 GMT

Hey there,

It’s a regular topic on the 48 Community boards, but basically, 48 still doesn't do eSIM because they’re a budget MVNO. Even though their parent network, Three, has it, 48 keeps things cheap by sticking to physical SIMs to avoid the cost of upgrading their digital backend. They did just launch HelloGlobe, which is an eSIM, but that’s only for data when you're roaming outside the EU - it doesn’t work for your main Irish number. If you've got a newer phone that’s eSIM-only, you’re stuck looking at providers like Vodafone, Eir, or GoMo for now but will pay more than the 10.99 or 12.99 plan 48 offers to you.

Re: Esim

dalyer — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:13:04 GMT

Minor point... 48 didn't "launch" HelloGlobe, they partnered with them.

https://community.48.ie/t5/The-Newsroom/Meet-HelloGlobe-Your-new-travel-eSIM/td-p/71102