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

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

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

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

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