Enabling an eSim Wearable

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Enabling an eSim Wearable

nicknz00

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#283977 23-Mar-2021 11:42

Hello!

I have imported a Mont Blanc watch that comes with Wear OS and an eSim, but despite my efforts, Spark cannot enable it with a plan. When in store after providing the IMEI and EID their system can see the watch name but cannot proceed with the connection. I think the term the agent used was not legible, but not sure.

Why is this? Why can they activate their own Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy watches with eSim, but not others? Will it be supported down the track?

Thanks.

Linux

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#2679145 23-Mar-2021 11:45

Simple answer not a supported device and they can activate Apple / Samsung devices as they are approved and tested

Even if Spark did end up supporting the device your device may still not work as it is imported

nicknz00

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Wannabe Geek

#2679156 23-Mar-2021 11:49

Thanks. So I guess it's not a technical limitation, but rather an imposed one?

Hopefully not.. that would be silly if immigrants couldn't use their eSim devices purchased in other countries, and that was supposed to be the benefits of eSim, no swapping sims when travelling.

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#2679338 23-Mar-2021 15:37

nicknz00: Thanks. So I guess it's not a technical limitation, but rather an imposed one?

Hopefully not.. that would be silly if immigrants couldn't use their eSim devices purchased in other countries, and that was supposed to be the benefits of eSim, no swapping sims when travelling.

@nicknz00 That is 100% what is happening if you import eSIM devices do not expect official support or even expect the carrier to connect the device to the network

nicknz00

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Wannabe Geek

#2679394 23-Mar-2021 16:35

I don't think it's fair to discriminate because it's imported, which by the way was simply because the device is not (yet) available in NZ. It was not to bypass any costs and yes I have paid import duty and GST for it, so no one is missing out. With that aside, eSim is from what I know a global standard, so it shouldn't matter (should it) which market the device was purchased in (or assembled for). If they've made eSim to replace physical Sim and there's almost no compatibility then what on earth have they designed this thing for... And again, even on Spark's website, the benefits of eSim are supposed to include travel which I will quote from their website;

"Seamless connectivity: Download your eSIM to your phone and switch easily between supported networks as you travel."

If we're talking 'support' as in technically able to support the device, then for the reasons above I want to know why, or if Spark or any NZ carrier will 'support' it in the future.

If we're talking 'support' as in ringing 123 to talk to someone, I don't care, I don't want that. I want Spark to take my $15/month and put a plan on my watch.

freitasm

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#2679417 23-Mar-2021 16:57

I have hidden some replies that don't add to the topic.

freitasm

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#2679420 23-Mar-2021 17:00

FWIW I agree with the OP. Unfortunately, there are standards that don't quite work - even well-known brands get things wrong (and I've seen it happening with all major smartphone manufacturers recently). The network has the option of not connecting devices - lucky for us these things moved away from the old CDMA days into GSM and SIM cards. Bizarrely eSIM seem to bring back "control" for networks...