Airtel Nigeria, on Tuesday announced the launching of embedded Subscriber Identity Module, eSIM, a digital SIM that enables customers to access same functionality as using a physical SIM into the country.

The telcoms firm, in a statement, said eSIM is a flexible embedded SIM that can be directly built into a compatible devices like a smartphone, wearables such as smartwatch and any other smart device.

The Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said the company is always at the forefront in championing technological advancement and creating innovative platforms and opportunities that will make life better for all stakeholders in its value chain.

“With eSIM, we are not only bringing the latest technology to the fingertips of our customers, but we are also focusing on our sustainability goals of digital inclusion and environmental best practices as no plastic is involved with eSIM.

“It is therefore our commitment to continue to create offerings that will expand and deepen our digital footprints in line with everything mobile Internet, digital and home broadband,” he said.

Airtel added that the eSIM service is now available on its network and customers who wish to switch their current physical SIM cards for eSIMs will need to ensure they have a compatible device.

Oshilaja directed such subscribers to dial*#06#, obtain the required QR code and be guided through a SIM Swap process by an Airtel service personnel.

eSIM was launched in 2016 succeeding the now popular Nano SIM which came around in 2012 and Samsung Gear S2 became the first device to support an eSIM.

It is a software which can be activated by any supporting cellular network provider anywhere in the world.

The eSIM ensures there is no loss of data because whatever has been programed into it during the registration phase can be reprogrammed to another cellular network any time.

It saves a lot of cost which may arise during roaming when one is in another country.

Airtel added that the eSIM offers several benefits over the traditional SIM cards as it is quick and simple to set up online.

The Telcom said it had developed a simple and flawless process to activate the eSIM service for all its customers.

Airtel expressed the belief that the digital SIM would significantly improve the productivity of Nigerians and help stakeholders to achieve personal and professional goals.