Using an eSIM in United States

Seamless connectivity is available at all major US tourist destinations:

• Theme Parks: Comprehensive coverage throughout Orlando (Disney World, Universal Studios) and Southern California.
• National Parks: Places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion have good coverage at visitor centres and main lodges, though signal will drop significantly on remote hiking trails.
• Coastal Regions: Excellent signal along the Florida Keys, the Jersey Shore, and the California Coastline.
• Las Vegas: High-density network capacity designed to handle the heavy data demands of the Las Vegas Strip.

For business travellers and digital nomads, reliable connectivity is non-negotiable in major corporate hubs:

• New York City: Comprehensive 5G coverage across Manhattan, the Financial District, and Brooklyn.
• San Francisco & Silicon Valley: Leading-edge network infrastructure supporting the tech corridor from Palo Alto to San Jose.
• Chicago: Excellent high-speed data availability throughout the Loop and surrounding business districts.
• Washington, D.C.: Robust government-grade cellular infrastructure across the capital and its Maryland/Virginia suburbs.
• Austin: Rapidly expanding network capacity to support the growing "Silicon Hills" tech sector.

• Light Users (1GB - 3GB): Best for short weekend city breaks (e.g., New York or Boston) primarily using data for maps, messaging, and occasional transport bookings.
• Standard Travellers (5GB - 10GB): Ideal for 10-14 day road trips. This allows for frequent use of GPS navigation, social media updates, and photo sharing.
• Power Users & Creators (20GB+): Recommended for business travellers, vloggers, or those needing to hotspot other devices. Essential if you plan on streaming video or uploading high-resolution content without relying on public Wi-Fi.

The United States features one of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures globally, primarily supported by three tier-one nationwide carriers.

5G deployment is extensive in urban areas, while 4G LTE serves as the reliable backbone for suburban and rural regions. When travelling through the US, your device will automatically switch between these networks to maintain the strongest available connection.

• Urban Coverage: Near-ubiquitous 5G and 4G LTE.
• Highways: Strong coverage along Interstate corridors.
• Rural Areas: Coverage can be varied; larger national parks may have sections with limited or no signal to preserve the natural environment.

Mobile connectivity in the US is dominated by three main providers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

While your eSIM will typically bypass the need to choose a specific provider by connecting to the strongest local signal, it is worth noting that US networks operate on different frequency bands than the UK. Modern smartphones (iPhone 11 or later, and most recent Samsung/Google Pixels) are global handsets and will have no hardware issues connecting to US 5G and LTE bands.

Note on 3G: The US has officially decommissioned its 3G networks. You must have a 4G/LTE or 5G capable device to access mobile data in the United States.

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure your handset is eSIM-compatible and network-unlocked. 2. Order Online: Select your data plan and receive a QR code via email instantly. 3. Scan and Activate: Scan the QR code in your phone's cellular settings. We recommend doing this at the airport before departure or upon arrival using airport Wi-Fi. 4. Set as Data Limit: Configure your device to use the eSIM for "Cellular Data" while keeping your UK SIM for "Default Voice Line" if required. 5. Enable Data Roaming: Ensure Data Roaming is switched 'On' for the eSIM profile to allow it to connect to US networks.