Vodacom and MTN’s prepaid online eSIM shame

While at least three mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) piggybacking on other operators’ infrastructure launched online eSIMs for prepaid customers over the past year, South Africa’s two biggest mobile networks are yet to support the capability.

eSIMs, or embedded SIMs, are digital SIM cards enabled with a dedicated chip built into smartphones, smartwatches, or other Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.

eSIMs eliminate the need to visit a shop or have a physical card delivered to start using a mobile network.

Another benefit is allowing subscribers to quickly jump from one operator to the next without switching out physical SIM cards.

The tech has become so common in the US that Apple has completely scrapped the physical SIM card tray from iPhones sold in the country. It first offered eSIM support in 2018’s iPhone XS and XR models.

Samsung began equipping its flagship Galaxy S series smartphones with eSIM support in 2020.

Although the technology has primarily been limited to flagship devices, it is increasingly being offered on mid-range smartphones, including the recently launched Galaxy A55.

However, South Africa’s main mobile networks have been sluggish in adopting eSIMs.

Both Vodacom and MTN only launched the ability to take up eSIMs online for contract customers during 2023, around six years after eSIM support started being added to smartphones.

They previously required that customers visit a store to buy and activate an eSIM.

However, those interested in taking up a prepaid eSIM with either operator still have to go to a cellular shop to take up the product.

This is even though several international roaming SIM providers — including Airalo — have been offering eSIMs that operate on their networks for several years.

Local MVNOs have also jumped at the opportunity to use the tech, as it allows them to quickly onboard new customers.

The first MVNO to support prepaid eSIMs in South Africa was Ignition Group’s UConnect, which debuted the feature in a mobile app in August 2023. UConnect roams on Cell C’s MVNO platform.

Melon Mobile followed in September 2023, barely five months after it first launched to the public.

The latest to enter the prepaid eSIM fray was Afrihost Air Mobile, which launched support alongside a new app and expanded product offering in  February 2024.

All three MVNOs offer a simple and fast process for buying and activating an eSIM that we found to be much more convenient than going into a store for a SIM.

The eSIMs can be downloaded directly from each MVNO’s mobile app, while the RICA process is also handled online.

MyBroadband asked Vodacom and MTN for updates on their plans to enable online purchases of prepaid eSIMs.

MTN South Africa said it would introduce online eSIM purchases for prepaid customers sometime during 2024.

It previously explained that it experienced no challenges in making the feature available and initially only made the product available in stores to test its desirability.

“We have seen great interest from customers, our second phase is to make prepaid eSIMs available online,” MTN said. “This is envisaged to happen during the course of this year.”

Vodacom said it was actively working towards extending online eSIM services to its prepaid customers.

“The integration of such technologies requires careful planning and infrastructure adjustments to ensure a seamless and secure service that aligns with our high standards,” Vodacom said.

“With that said, we expect to introduce this feature within the first half of 2024.”

To their credit, Vodacom and MTN support eSIMs on wearables, including linking the same number used on a smartphone. This is not yet possible for MVNOs, Telkom, or Cell C.

Cell C and Telkom offer eSIMs for smartphones, but only the former has confirmed it plans to offer online eSIM purchases. Its timeline for availability is the first half of 2024.

Rain investor Michael Jordaan tweeted about the country’s youngest mobile network operator adding eSIM support nearly five years ago.

While this is still in its plans, no definitive timeline has been given for eSIM support on Rain’s network.

The table below summarises the extent of eSIM support on the four major mobile networks in South Africa.