eSIM Talks by Holafly

Holafly

eSIM Talks is Holafly’s podcast about the shift from physical SIM cards to digital connectivity. Each month, host Rafael Junquera talks with telecom and technology experts to explain what eSIM really is, how it works behind the scenes, and why it is changing travel connectivity. The series covers the move from roaming to global plans, the new players and business models reshaping the mobile industry, and the security and privacy questions that come with remote, software based activation. Straightforward conversations for anyone who wants to understand where mobile connectivity is heading.

Episodes

  1. 22 Jun

    The state of global eSIM adoption | eSIM Talks by Holafly #05

    In this episode of eSIM Talks, Rafael Junquera sits down again with Chris Hills, VP of Carrier and Network Operations at Holafly, to discuss the launch of the Holafly Global eSIM Index, a new resource designed to understand how eSIM adoption is evolving across different countries, operators, regulatory environments and device ecosystems. The conversation explores why eSIM is not just a technological shift, but a wider market transformation. Chris explains why adoption is still uneven around the world, why friction has not disappeared but has often moved into regulation, KYC, device compatibility and operator decision-making, and why the future of eSIM depends on the entire ecosystem: mobile operators, regulators, device manufacturers, developers and travel connectivity providers. They also discuss how travel eSIM has become one of the strongest use cases pushing eSIM forward, why some mobile operators are starting to see travel eSIM and traditional roaming as complementary rather than competitive, and why markets that embrace eSIM early may be better positioned for the next stage of mobile connectivity. Finally, the episode looks at what a truly seamless eSIM future could look like: a world where users no longer think about SIM cards, activation or setup, and where connectivity simply works in the background. Because the real promise of eSIM is not just replacing plastic with digital technology. It is making connectivity easier, more invisible and more useful for everyone. Watch the full episode to understand what the Holafly Global eSIM Index reveals about the current state of eSIM adoption and why the next phase of mobile connectivity may depend less on technology itself, and more on how fast the industry is willing to embrace change. Get your eSIM here: https://hfly.co/qbdem More from Holafly: Exclusive content newsletter: https://hfly.co/ndxs5LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holafly/ Website: https://esim.holafly.com/ Rafael Junquera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-a-junquera-99328118/ Chris Hills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-a-hills/Also Available on: 🎧 APPLE: https://hfly.co/1kog6 🎧 AMAZON: https://hfly.co/a0gea 🎧 CASTBOX: https://hfly.co/s5lrb 00:00 Introduction   01:32 Why Holafly launched the Global eSIM Index   04:39 What the index reveals about eSIM adoption   09:17 From physical SIM friction to digital friction   12:15 Why operators are changing their view of travel eSIM   16:16 The cultural challenge behind eSIM adoption   20:50 Regulation, KYC and market barriers   21:37 Apple, travel eSIM and the role of clear use cases   25:10 The “kill switch” problem   28:12 China’s approach to eSIM adoption   30:04 How the travel eSIM market is evolving   31:33 Why eSIM needs to become seamless   32:43 The future of invisible connectivity   35:52 Biggest misconceptions about eSIM   38:09 How to read the Holafly Global eSIM Index   39:10 Final thoughts

    41 min

  2. 18 May

    Is the eSIM industry becoming commoditized? | eSIM Talks by Holafly #4

    Is travel eSIM becoming a commodity, or is the real value somewhere else? When every provider talks about coverage, gigabytes, and price, how can users know who to trust? And what does it really mean to choose the right connectivity when you travel? These are the topics we explore in Episode 4 of eSIM Talks by Holafly.In this episode, host Rafael A. Junquera is joined by Michael Moreno, Brand Marketing Manager at Holafly, and Barry Marron, Product Manager at Holafly, for a conversation about the evolution of the travel eSIM market, the risk of commoditization, and how providers can create value beyond just offering data abroad. From price competition, customer experience, onboarding, and support, to the role of the Holafly app, Always On coverage, and the idea of becoming a real travel companion, this episode looks at what travelers actually need when they connect internationally. The conversation explores why getting connected is no longer enough, and why peace of mind, reliability, and support can become just as important as the connection itself. The episode also looks at the wider market picture: how travel eSIM providers are positioning themselves, why competing only on price may not be sustainable, and what it means for a brand like Holafly to offer an accessible premium experience. If previous episodes explored the shift from SIM to eSIM, market transformation, and security, this episode asks a key question for the next stage of the industry: what separates a connectivity provider from a true travel partner? Get your eSIM here: https://hfly.co/qbdem More from Holafly: Exclusive content newsletter: https://hfly.co/ndxs5 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holafly/ Website: https://esim.holafly.com/ Rafael Junquera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-a-junquera-99328118/ Michael Moreno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelatmoreno/ Barry Marron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrymarron/ Also Available on: 🎧 APPLE: https://hfly.co/1kog6 🎧 AMAZON: https://hfly.co/a0gea 🎧 CASTBOX: https://hfly.co/s5lrb

    46 min

  3. 20 Apr

    Security and Privacy in the eSIM Era: How Safe Are Our Connections? | eSIM Talks by Holafly #3

    Security and eSIM, how much depends on the provider, and how much depends on you? Is digital connectivity really safer, or has the user simply become the weakest link? And what changes when we move from a physical SIM card to an eSIM? These are the topics we explore in Episode 3 of eSIM Talks by Holafly.In this episode, host Rafael A. Junquera is joined by Andrew Grill, futurist and technology advisor, and Augustin De Wailly, CEO and co-founder of Accelerators, for a deep dive into security, personal responsibility, and the future of connectivity in an eSIM-first world.  From two-factor authentication, password managers, and passkeys, to stolen phones, compromised accounts, and unsafe public hotspots, this conversation goes beyond travel convenience and looks at the real security implications of digital identity. The episode also explores why eSIM can offer important advantages over physical SIM cards, not only for travelers, but also for businesses and corporate mobility.  The conversation also looks at the wider telecom picture: how eSIM is reshaping the industry, why it opens the door to new business models, and how its flexibility could accelerate the next wave of connected devices, from travel and roaming to enterprise connectivity and IoT. If Episode 1 was about the shift from SIM to eSIM, and Episode 2 focused on market transformation, this episode asks a more urgent question: who is responsible for security in the digital era? Get your eSIM here: https://hfly.co/qbdem More from Holafly: Exclusive content newsletter: https://hfly.co/ndxs5LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holafly/Website: https://esim.holafly.com/ Rafael Junquera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-a-junquera-99328118/ Andrew Grill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgrill/ Augustin De Wailly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustindewailly/ Also Available on: 🎧 APPLE: https://hfly.co/1kog6 🎧 AMAZON: https://hfly.co/a0gea 🎧 CASTBOX: https://hfly.co/s5lrb

    40 min

  4. 16 Mar

    Why Travel eSIM Is Changing Global Connectivity | eSIM Talks by Holafly #2

    eSIM for travel – is this the best solution for staying connected around the world? When does it make more sense than roaming? Or should they coexist?  These are the topics we are discussing in Episode 2 of eSIM Talks by Holafly!  In this episode, host Rafael A. Junquera is joined by Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence, and Kester Mann, Director, Consumer and Connectivity at CCS Insight, for a deep dive into how eSIM is transforming travel connectivity and challenging the traditional roaming model. As roaming, with its high costs, limited transparency, and unexpected charges, become one of the biggest pain points for modern travelers, international eSIM emerges as the new leading way to stay connected abroad. Find out why and how the telecom industry is entering a new phase of global connectivity! Get your eSIM here: https://hfly.co/qbdemMore from Holafly: Exclusive content newsletter: https://hfly.co/ndxs5LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holafly/ Website: https://esim.holafly.com/es/ Rafael Junquera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-a-junquera-99328118/ Kester Mann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kester-mann-a21353/?originalSubdomain=uk Peter Jarich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjarich/ Also Avaliable on: 🎧 APPLE: https://hfly.co/1kog6 🎧 AMAZON: https://hfly.co/a0gea 🎧 CASTBOX: https://hfly.co/s5lrb Index: 00:00:00 — Intro 00:02:07 — From Physical SIM to eSIM 00:03:41 — The End of Expensive, Opaque Roaming 00:12:34 — The Key Barrier: Mass Adoption and Simplicity 00:19:39 — From One-Time Use to a Subscription Model 00:21:16 — The App and User Experience as a Competitive Advantage 00:32:50 — Integration Across Travel, Data, and Regulation

    43 min

  5. 19 Feb

    The end of the physical SIM | eSIM Talks by Holafly #1

    Have you ever wondered what’s really behind an eSIM and why it has gone from a niche feature to a core part of how we travel and stay connected? Welcome to eSIM Talks, a new series hosted by Rafael Junquera, where industry experts unpack what’s happening behind the scenes of the eSIM ecosystem: travel eSIMs, regulation, product innovation, and the future of roaming.In Episode 1, Rafael is joined by Chris Hills (VP of Carrier & Operations at Holafly) and Mohit Agrawal (Director of AI & IoT at Counterpoint Research) to explore the shift from physical SIMs to eSIMs from three perspectives: the traveler experience, operator reality, and the connected-device economy. ▶️ Watch now and discover what changes when connectivity stops being a physical object and starts behaving like software. Get your eSIM here: https://hfly.co/qbdem More from Holafly: Exclusive content newsletter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holafly/ Website: https://esim.holafly.com/es/ Rafael Junquera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-a-junquera-99328118/ Chris Hills: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-a-hills/ Mohit Agrawal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohitagrawal/ Index: 00:00:00 — Intro 00:01:00 — Welcome to eSIM Talks by Holafly 00:02:06 — Problems with Physical SIMs 00:05:01 — What Drove eSIM Adoption 00:10:37 — User Experience vs Telcos 00:13:49 — Standards, IoT & Profile Switching 00:14:35 — Holafly’s eSIM Philosophy 00:17:18 — eSIM for Travel 00:24:09 — Telcos vs Travel eSIMs 00:26:35 — Business Models & Economics 00:32:32 — IoT & iSIM: What’s Next 00:36:56 — 3-4 Year Outlook 00:41:14 — Closing Takeaways

    43 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

eSIM Talks is Holafly’s podcast about the shift from physical SIM cards to digital connectivity. Each month, host Rafael Junquera talks with telecom and technology experts to explain what eSIM really is, how it works behind the scenes, and why it is changing travel connectivity. The series covers the move from roaming to global plans, the new players and business models reshaping the mobile industry, and the security and privacy questions that come with remote, software based activation. Straightforward conversations for anyone who wants to understand where mobile connectivity is heading.

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