What is a Mobile Plan compared to a Roaming Data Plan? Answer by Ubigi

← Back to questions

What is a roaming data plan?

A data plan is a data-only service that mobile operators such as Ubigi offer to get you connected to the Internet wherever you are in the world.

Contrary to the traditional mobile phone plans which offer voice, SMS & mobile internet, a data plan as its name suggests, only provides the latter.

But mobile data is just what you need to access a wide range of multimedia services and smart applications on your smartphone or other mobile device, while being on the go.

And despite not including voice, you will be able to make calls through Apps like Skype, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Line…

A data plan uses the the 3G, 4G / LTE cellular network, based on the network availability.

Discover our data plans?
Why would you need an eSIM data plan?

Explore Ubigi eSIM data plans for seamless connectivity worldwide!

Install once, stay globally connected for life with a single eSIM, compatible with all eSIM-enabled devices : iOS Phone, iPad OS, Android, and Windows 10 and 11.

Are you a company with teams on the move?

Manage your employees' LTE/5G connectivity on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and hotspots
while maintaining complete control over your costs.

Was this article helpful?

YesNo

Looking for something specific?

Explore Ubigi eSIM data plans for seamless connectivity worldwide!

Install once, stay globally connected for life with a single eSIM, compatible with all eSIM-enabled devices : iOS Phone, iPad OS, Android, and Windows 10 and 11.

Are you a company with teams on the move?

Manage your employees' LTE/5G connectivity on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and hotspots
while maintaining complete control over your costs.

Verified

Very easy thanks

Yvette Yessayantz, 23 Oct 2025

Would definitely recommend

Had to get an E sim for a trip abroad. Had no clue what was involved. Ubigi has proven to be very reliable and easy to use.

Funmi Johnson, 23 Oct 2025

Easy setup

Easy setup, works well. Didn't have any dead zones in urban areas, only times I couldn't connect were places you wouldn't expect to (IE tunnels and underground)

customer, 23 Oct 2025

Fast and reliable

the connection is good, almost anywhere i go in Japan

Saiful, 23 Oct 2025

Good coverage while travelling around…

Good coverage while travelling around Japan at a reasonable price. I would use Ubigi esim again.

Kerrie, 23 Oct 2025

Ease of signing up and price

Colleen Jardine, 23 Oct 2025

Easy to use!

Kathy Sutherland, 23 Oct 2025

Easy to use and connect to

David, 23 Oct 2025

Easy way to stay connected

Easy way to get connected while travelling overseas

Luciem, 23 Oct 2025

Great eSIM, top choice

Great eSIM for traveling in America. I will use again anytime I need an eSIM anywhere.

Lucas, 22 Oct 2025

For Japan travel, fast and convenient

Ubigi is a good choice for Japan travellers

LChan, 22 Oct 2025

Instalation was quick and easy

Instalation was quick and easy Good connection in central Japan

Didier, 22 Oct 2025

Excellent value, spottier coverage outside of cities

The price for data was excellent. Topping up data was also easy and instantaneous. Mobile coverage was sometimes weaker in smaller towns in France outside of city centers, or inside some buildings. Generally satisfied and would use again for travel in Europe.

customer, 22 Oct 2025

I will be using Ubigi eSIM again!

This was my first experience of buying and using an eSIM and, once I had worked out how to override my physical SIM card whilst on holiday, I had no problems and great coverage.

Susan, 22 Oct 2025

Worked well most of the time.

Worked well most of the time. Noted some problem with reception while inside some train stations and department stores in Osaka and Kyoto.

Guy, 22 Oct 2025

FAQ Roaming data plan compared to traditional mobile plan

Explore Ubigi eSIM data plans for seamless connectivity worldwide!

Are you a company with teams on the move?

Looking for something specific?

Other frequently asked questions:

What is included in Ubigi Unlimited data plans ?

iPhone Air without a physical SIM card: everything you need to know

iPhone 16 Series and Ubigi eSIM Data Plans

What are the benefits of eSIM for iPhone 16 series users?

When does my Ubigi data plan activate?

Does the iPhone 16 models support eSIM?

What models will be available in the iPhone 17 series?

Does Vivo X200 and X200 Pro support eSIM?

Does Xiaomi 15, 15 Pro and 15 Ultra support eSIM?

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 series support eSIM (including S25, S25+, S25 Edge, S25 Ultra)?

Does Oppo Find X8/ X8 Pro support eSIM?

Does Sony Xperia 10 VI support eSIM?

Does Sony Xperia 1 VI support eSIM?

Does Ubigi offer unlimited data plans?

iPhone 16 eSIM-Only in the U.S.: Dual SIM Options and Ubigi eSIM Compatibility Explained

Does Google Pixel 9 support eSIM?

Does Google Pixel 8 support eSIM?

Samsung Galaxy S25 series: Potential Shift to eSIM-Only Models?

eSIM vs. Wi-Fi hotposts: What is the best option

iPhone 15 Series and Ubigi eSIM Data Plans

iPhone 15: eSIM-Only Model, Global Launch, and eSIM Benefits Explained

Do the Galaxy A54 5G support eSIM?

Does the iPhone SE 3 model (2022) support eSIM?

How secure is an eSIM?

How can I get an eSIM profile?

What is an eSIM?

What is an eSIM profile?

How to switch between physical SIM card and eSIM profile on my Android device?

What are the key benefits of eSIM?

Is my iPhone/iPad unlocked or locked by my provider?

Is it possible to use a physical SIM card and an eSIM at the same time on a device?

What is an EID on a phone?

Where can I find the EID on my iPhone?

Where can I find the EID on my Android device?

Where can I find the EID on my Windows 10 device?

Where can I find the EID on my Windows 11 device?

How do I check if my iPhone is eSIM compatible?

How do I check if my Android device is eSIM compatible?

How do I check if my Windows 10 device is eSIM compatible?

How do I check if my Windows 11 device is eSIM compatible?

Can I buy an eSIM online?

How do I get a QR code for an eSIM?

What is a dual SIM with an eSIM phone?

Is eSIM better than physical SIM card?

Can I still use my SIM Card after installing eSIM?

If I have an eSIM only iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, can I use it on Ubigi connectivity services?

How to get mobile data in Hawaii?

How to get mobile data in Brazil for the Rio carnival?

Will activating a Ubigi eSIM lock my smartphone?

What happens to my cellular plan if I erase my eSIM?

Do I need a Wi-Fi network to activate my eSIM?

What are the benefits of the eSIM for iPhone 15 users?

What are the benefits of the eSIM for iPhone 14 users?

Can I switch from eSIM to physical SIM?

Is eSIM better for data roaming?

Does the iPhone 11 support eSIM?

How can I save data?

Does the eSIM use more battery than the SIM card?

Which carrier is best for eSIM?

Which Samsung devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Nokia devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Apple devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Google devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Huawei devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Sony devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Motorola devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Oppo devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Honor devices are eSIM compatible?

Which SHARP devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Panasonic devices are eSIM compatible?

Which NUU devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Rakuten devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Microsoft devices are eSIM compatible?

Which VAIO devices are eSIM compatible?

Which Dell devices are eSIM compatible?