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.

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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:

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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