The telecommunications sector continues to evolve at a dizzying pace: let's discover together the 10 most relevant news of the week from November 15 to 22, 2025.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, technology never stops. The last week of November 2025 brought a series of extraordinary innovations to the telecommunications industry, from the explosion of the eSIM travel market to the growing adoption of standalone 5G technologies. Whether you're a frequent traveler, an IT professional, or simply a tech enthusiast, this news will impact the way you connect in the coming months.
Get ready to discover how connectivity is becoming more accessible, secure, and intelligent than ever before.
Top 10 News of the Week
1. Apple Prepares to Eliminate the SIM Slot for iPhone 17 in Europe
On November 15, Apple sources revealed that the company is preparing to expand eSIM-only iPhone models to Europe. Employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU must complete specific eSIM training by September 2025, paving the way for the launch of the SIM-free iPhone 17 in 27 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. This move follows the success of the eSIM-only model in the US with the iPhone 14 and represents one of the most significant changes in mobile connectivity in recent years.
Link: MacRumors - iPhone 17 eSIM Europe
2. iOS 26 Introduces Automatic eSIM Switching for iPhone
A revolutionary new feature in iOS 26 for iPhone now enables automatic eSIM switching when traveling abroad. With support for 64 countries, including the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan, users no longer have to worry about manually switching SIMs or setting up roaming plans. The phone automatically detects when you move countries and activates the preloaded travel eSIM, then reverts to your home plan upon your return, dramatically simplifying the international travel experience.
Link: Tech Advisor - New eSIM Auto-Switch
3. Travel eSIM Market: 380% Growth Expected by 2030
On November 12, a new report from Research and Markets revealed that the global travel SIM and eSIM market will reach $8.7 billion by 2030, a 380% increase from $1.8 billion in 2025. The report identifies key opportunities through differentiation in service bundling, strategic partnerships, and expansion into high-growth countries. This boom is fueled by growing consumer awareness and the launch of travel eSIMs by both traditional operators and new companies.
Link: Globe Newswire - Travel eSIM Forecast
4. eSIM Transforms the Travel Experience: Instant Connectivity Without Queues
On November 22, WebProNews published an in-depth analysis of how eSIMs are revolutionizing travel. The article highlights how the technology eliminates the need to wait in airport lines to purchase local SIM cards, allowing travelers to activate data plans instantly upon arrival. Furthermore, the article predicts that eSIMs will evolve into iSIMs (SIMs integrated into the device's processor), leading to smaller, faster, and cheaper devices, with the possibility of a universal plan that can be used anywhere without QR codes or SIM card swaps.
Link: WebProNews - How eSIMs Are Changing Travel
5. Ultra-Affordable eSIM Plans: A New Era of Accessibility
On November 21, the eSIM market reached a major milestone with the introduction of some of the most affordable data plans available, with prices under $2 USD for destinations like Pakistan. These offers are designed for tourists, business travelers, and budget-conscious users, allowing instant mobile data activation in seconds without purchasing a physical SIM card at the airport. Price transparency with no hidden costs represents an important step towards democratizing global mobile internet access.
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6. Carriers Expand eSIM Support as Physical SIMs Disappear
On November 20, an updated report highlighted how more and more carriers are embracing eSIM technology, with Apple completely eliminating the SIM tray from the US versions of the iPhone 14 and 15. Benefits include greater dual-line flexibility, improved security against SIM-swap fraud, and the benefits of a more durable design. However, carrier support remains variable, especially among smaller carriers and some prepaid plans, making it important to check compatibility before switching.
Link: FindArticles - Carriers Expand eSIM
7. iSIM: The Next Frontier with 300 Million Devices Expected by 2027
According to the GSMA, the release of certified, standards-compliant iSIMs has the potential to spark mass adoption of this new technology, with research from Kaleido Intelligence suggesting the iSIM market will grow to 300 million units by 2027, representing 19% of all eSIM shipments. iSIM integrates SIM functionality directly into the device's processor, eliminating the need for separate chips and offering advantages in terms of cost, power consumption, and security, particularly crucial for low-power IoT devices.
Link: GSMA - iSIM Opens New World
8. Ericsson: Over 90 Operators Launch Standalone 5G Networks
The Ericsson Mobility report for November 2025 reveals that over 90 communications service providers have launched 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks, approximately 30 more than in the same period in 2024. The report identifies 118 cases where 5G SA network slicing is being used to provide differentiated connectivity services, with 65 cases already implemented as commercial offerings at 33 operators. 5G networks will handle approximately 43% of all mobile data traffic by the end of 2025, with this figure expected to reach 83% by 2031.
Link: Malaysian Wireless - Ericsson Report 5G SA
9. eSIM for Cars: Making Vehicles Smarter and Safer Globally
On November 21, an in-depth article explored how eSIM technology is revolutionizing the automotive industry. eSIMs in vehicles enable critical safety features such as the EU-mandated eCall, which automatically calls emergency services in the event of a serious accident, reducing response times by up to 50%. Furthermore, eSIMs enable Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, allowing cars to exchange data in real time with other vehicles, road infrastructure, and the cloud for predictive safety features.
Link: Pickup Truck Talk - eSIM in Cars
10. 2025 Redefines eSIMs: The Outlook for 2026
Industry analysts confirm that 2025 will be a turning point, with 403 million eSIM-enabled consumer devices and 140 million IoT devices shipped globally. The market's evolution demonstrates how control has shifted from traditional telcos to fintechs, travel apps, and OEM ecosystems. Travel platforms have begun integrating eSIMs directly into booking flows, while fintechs have launched eSIMs linked to digital wallets. 2026 will be marked by greater awareness, inclusion, and deep integration in the travel, finance, and mobility sectors.
Link: Telecoms.com - How 2025 Redefined eSIMs
Conclusion: The Future is Digital and Borderless
The week of November 15–22, 2025, unequivocally demonstrated that we are experiencing a revolution in global connectivity. eSIMs are no longer a niche technology, but are becoming the standard for millions of users worldwide. With marketplaces covering hundreds of destinations, ultra-affordable plans starting at less than $2, and intelligent features that automatically switch networks based on location, the barrier to entry for global connectivity has never been lower.
The weekly trend is clear: connectivity is evolving from a commodity to an intelligent and personalized service. Traditional operators are embracing standalone 5G to offer differentiated experiences, while new players are democratizing global mobile internet access through affordable eSIMs. Meanwhile, emerging technologies like iSIM promise to make connectivity even more integrated and pervasive.
For travelers, professionals, and businesses, the message is simple: the future of connectivity is here, and it's more accessible, safe, and intelligent than we ever imagined. Whether it's a tourist exploring remote destinations or a connected car saving lives with automatic emergency calls, the technologies unveiled this week are laying the foundation for a truly connected world.
The question is no longer "if" to adopt these technologies, but "when" and "how" to integrate them into our daily lives to get the most benefit.
