According to Acsa, a state-owned company that operates many of South Africa's major commercial airports, a firm decision to launch an MVNO has not yet been taken. But it is giving it serious consideration, it has revealed.
"Acsa considered the introduction of an eSim offering via the Acsa mobile app, primarily targeting international travellers," the company told TechCentral. "The initiative is currently undergoing internal review and, should it be deemed viable and aligned with Acsa's strategic objectives, the market will be duly informed."
eSim technology has proved to be a gamechanger for international travellers, allowing them to purchase local connectivity plans without having to find a store to buy a physical Sim card. This is especially helpful for short-stay visitors travelling for business on tight schedules.
eSim or embedded Sim is convenient in that travellers can purchase and activate the Sim while still in their home country, allowing them to purchase an appropriate amount of airtime and data for their trip prior to travelling and then enjoy the benefits of being connected the moment they touch down in their destination country. Avoiding the high cost of international roaming fees from their home networks is a priority for most travellers.
The bulk of MVNOs targeting international travellers are not linked to any brands such as airlines. These pureplay MVNOs include AirGSM's Airlo, AffinityClick's aloSIM, LotusFlare's Nomad and start-up Halofly.