Econet Launches eSim Service To Its Subscribers

Econet has introduced an eSim service to its customers making Zimbabwe only the second country in Africa to adopt the next-generation SIM technology.

The technology is getting very popular worldwide and the new Apple 14 phone models will only work with eSims.

Here is all you need to know about the service.

What is an eSim?

eSim stands for embedded Sim. The embedded Sim replaces the physical sim card form of a card that you insert into your phone to connect to your network.

Your traditional sim card has information about the network your number belongs to. This is more like a network ID. Instead of having a physical sim card, an eSim allows you to store your network ID on your phone virtually.

In other words, an eSim is just like the physical sim card you currently have on your phone. The only difference is that an eSim is virtual and you cant physically touch it.

How to add an eSim to your phone

Simply scan the QR code hidden behind a scratch card-looking material when you get your eSim. You can also enter the eSim serial number manually of the QR code is a bit of a problem.

You will need data to connect to the Econet network to check if the QR code/sim serial number is valid and is not activated on another device. If the check is successful your new eSim will be added to the list of eSims in your phone settings.

Econet will then, assign the number to the eSim and activate it on the network. You can then start using the eSim.

Where can I get an eSim in Zimbabwe?

You can get an eSim from any Econet shop. The ones confirmed to have eSims in stock are Econet 1st street in Harare and Econet shop at the Livingstone building. Other Econet shops across Zimbabwe will start rolling out these eSims soon.

List of devices supporting the eSim service

eSims are a very new technology and so very few devices support them. Below is a list of mobile devices that support the eSim service.

iPhones

• XR
• XS
• XS Max
• 11
• 11 Pro
• SE 2 (2020)
• 12
• 12 Mini
• 12 Pro
• 12 Pro Max
• 13
• 13 Mini
• 13 Pro
• 13 Pro Max
• SE 3 (2022)
• 14
• 14 plus

Note: On iPhone 13 models you can have two eSims activated at the same time.

iPads

• Pro 11 inch (A2068, 2020)
• Pro 12.9 inch (A2069, 2020)
• Air (A2123, 2019)
• (A2198, 2019)
• Mini (A2124, 2019)

Note: Only iPads with 4G LTE support eSims

Samsung Galaxy

• S20
• S20+
• S20 Ultra
• S21
• S21+ 5G
• S21 Ultra 5G
• S22
• S22+
• S22 Ultra
• Note 20
• Note 20 Ultra 5G
• Fold
• Fold 3
• Z Fold 2 5G
• Z Fold 3 5G
• Z Flip 3 5G
• Z Flip
• Watch (Via Samsung Wearable Application)

Google Pixel

• 2
• 2 XL
• 3
• 3 XL
• 3a
• 4
• 4a
• 4 XL
• 5
• 5a
• 6
• 6 Pro

Note: For the Google Pixel 3, only models bought on Google Fi or Spring will work. All other Google Pixel 3 phones bought from the US or Canada will not work with the Econet eSim.

Huawei/Honor

• P40
• P40 Pro
• Mate 40 Pro
• Honor Magic 4 Pro

Note: Huawei P40 Pro+ and P50 Pro are not compatible

Oppo

• Find X3
• Reno 5A
• Reno6 Pro 5G
• Find X5
• Find X5 Pro
• A55s

Note: Oppo Find X5 Lite is not supported

Motorola

• Razr 2019
• Razr 5G

Sony

• Xperia 10 III Lite
• Xperia 1 IV

Other suported devices

• Microsoft Surface Pro X
• Nuu Mobile X5
• Gemini PDA
• Rakuten Big-S
• Rakuten mini
• Rakuten Big

Can I use both the physical Sim & eSim on my phone at the same time?

Yes. If your phone supports an eSim you will be able to switch between the physical Sim and an eSim in your phone’s settings. It can even be a different service provider from Econet so the physical Sim can be a Netone Sim and the eSim can be an Econet Sim.

You can also register multiple eSims on the same device however you can only have one of the eSims active at any one time. However, you cannot register a single eSim on multiple devices.

What happens when my device with the eSim is lost or stolen or breaks down?

You simply deregister the eSim from the current device and register it on the new one.