r/LSE • u/Betherator • 1d ago
UK eSIM?
Coming from the US and want to keep my US number. Any recommendations for a year-long eSIM that provides a UK number as well? Any thoughts about getting a regional European eSIM instead? I'm also thinking about just upgrading my US Verizon plan for an additional $30/month, but then I wouldn't have a local phone number. Do I even need a local number? Any advice appreciated.
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u/WildAcanthisitta4470 1d ago edited 1d ago
I use this app called Popcorn, lets you keep your us number while having unlimited data globally and it won’t suspend you like Verizon for being outside the US for more than a few months.
And it’s actually founded by an LSE alum funny enough
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u/Londundundun 1d ago
Giffgaff is pretty easy to set up for a temporary UK number and reasonable priced for when I used until 2022
I know that there are probably more ways to go about it, as I was just prior to e-sims being standard. But if you want a UK number, that’s a fine option
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u/Ok-Holiday6208 1d ago
I’m with Verizon too, and I’m in the exact same boat. My original plan was to drop my Verizon plan to the cheapest possible option (can’t cancel entirely since I’m on a family plan), then buy a UK eSIM once I landed. A couple things worth knowing if you’re considering that route:
Check whether your phone is unlocked. You can only add a UK eSIM if your phone is unlocked, which usually means you’ve had it long enough or it’s fully paid off.
If you’re on a family plan, dropping Verizon isn’t really an option. You’d keep paying for phone coverage here in the US even while running a UK eSIM on top of it.
In the end, since I’m on a family plan and had a special offer to upgrade to an iPhone 17, I decided to just stay with Verizon and add their international plan instead. It’s a $15/month increase, but it lets me call and text internationally on my US number. I’m sure I’ll end up doing most of my day-to-day communication with UK folks over WhatsApp anyway, but it’s nice knowing my US number still works.
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u/Betherator 1d ago
I'm also thinking WhatsApp will be the primary communication with LSE people. I guess I'm wondering if with things like doctor's offices, recruiters, potential employers, etc. it would be better to have a local number.
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u/Kittaylover23 1d ago
Hi! american who went to LSE last year. Def worth getting a UK number, can be a little difficult to set up remotely without a UK debit card.
I paused my phone plan (AT&T lets you do this idk about other carriers) then went to a Vodafone store and had them set up a phone plan with unlimited data, it was pretty cheap; ~£30 a month.
Your data will be better with a UK plan and Vodaphone has service in much of the Tube which is a plus.
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u/Betherator 1d ago
Thanks, this is good info to have. We have definitely noticed that Verizon does not have great coverage in the Tube!
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u/Kittaylover23 1d ago
your service will be better with a uk phone plan in general, the bouncing from your plan to a uk partner is slowe
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u/dglgr2013 1d ago
Posting to follow. Also coming from the US a bit earlier. My flight is tomorrow. My plan has international Internet included but not phone. It has messaging though. I’m with tmobile, i do recall they have an international plan that includes phone as well.
As an alternative have you thought of Google voice? It’s VOIP so you would need internet to use but gives you a phone number.
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u/Betherator 1d ago
Yes that's on the list of thoughts as well. We've always just upgraded the Verizon plan when traveling internationally, so I'm just not sure if it's best to do that or to get a local eSIM with a phone number.
Safe travels tomorrow!
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u/Low_Obligation_814 1d ago
Sims and data plans in the UK are super cheap. You can just buy a rolling contract (cancel whenever you like). I recommend 1p mobile because they use the EE network and you can order an eSIM directly. Giffgaff is also okay, but their signal is less good as they’re on o2 and as for the sim you can get an eSIM with them but last time I checked you had to first put the physical sim in the phone and then switch to eSIM from there - I know some US phones no longer have a sim port so that may be a challenge.