Can I have eSIM with Skinny with my number and use Kogan SIM just for data

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Can I have eSIM with Skinny with my number and use Kogan SIM just for data - Pixel 8

lchiu7

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#311417 13-Jan-2024 14:52

My main SIM is Kogan and whiled data is fine, I have not being able to respond to short SMS.

I was thinking of getting the cheapest Skinny Plan($17month) and porting my number to it on a eSIM and keeping the physical Kogan SIM for data. I should be able to turn off data on the eSIM and only have data working on the Kogan SIM but all calls go via Skinny.

I sort of did this on a recent international trip where I installed an eSIM for data but kept the Kogan SIM in the phone to receive SMS.

The question is, when I install the Skinny eSIM I will want to port my number to it. But then the Kogan SIM will have no number attached to it. I could be n some limbo situation. Ideas anybody?

DjShadow

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#3181482 13-Jan-2024 15:34

Skinny doesn't support eSim yet

lchiu7

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#3181486 13-Jan-2024 15:43

DjShadow:

Skinny doesn't support eSim yet

Looks like Google is about to implement an eSIM migration tool that can migrate a physical SIM to an eSIM.

https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel-8-esim-migration-tool

I thought Spark has eSIM so Skinny would also?

Anyway the discussion is not irrelevant since Kogan said as soon as I migrate my number to another provider, I lose all the data on my account which defeats the purpose of what I was trying to do. And I still have 10 months of the Kogan SIM :-(

DjShadow

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#3181496 13-Jan-2024 16:28

I expect all carriers will be having to look at it given some devices in the USA (like iphone 15) don't come with physical sim trays now

lchiu7

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#3181497 13-Jan-2024 16:51

That would be good. I was recently in Taiwan and got an eSIM for data but it didn't have a number attached. I left my Kogan SIM in the phone for inbound SMS.

Then the family wanted to try out KFC to see if offered anything different than NZ. Worked out how to order from the kiosk but then it wanted a local phone number which I didn't have. The number was to be used to text me a code that I could then use to unlock a locker where my order would be placed! In the end I had to try to speak a person and they unlocked the locker for me.

If I had an eSIM for my regular SIM, I could have picked up a physical SIM at the airport in Taipei which offered really good data plans a local phone number also.

mrgsm021

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#3181535 13-Jan-2024 20:29

lchiu7:

If I had an eSIM for my regular SIM, I could have picked up a physical SIM at the airport in Taipei which offered really good data plans a local phone number also.

Kinda OT but agreed, you can get prepay SIM with local number and unlimited data for different lengths of time. I always just get this when I travel back there instead of roaming.

lchiu7

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#3181757 14-Jan-2024 17:04

mrgsm021:

lchiu7:

If I had an eSIM for my regular SIM, I could have picked up a physical SIM at the airport in Taipei which offered really good data plans a local phone number also.

Kinda OT but agreed, you can get prepay SIM with local number and unlimited data for different lengths of time. I always just get this when I travel back there instead of roaming.

I think the most useful aspect is being able to have your regular SIM as an eSIM so you can keep it going and then use a physical SIM for the local carrier. I do have a backup plan since my other phone is a OnePlus 9 Pro which has two physical SIM slots so that makes life easier.