Meet Airalo, an Ageless Adventuress Virtual Summit presenting event sponsor. Last updated on October 29th, 2026 Featured image: Avoid high roaming costs on your travels with Airalo, a presenting sponsor of its Ageless Adventuress Summit | Photo via Envato Stay connected on your travels with an Airalo eSIM. Journeywoman Enterprises Inc. is delighted to welcome Airalo as a presenting sponsor of its Ageless Adventuress Virtual Summit. Founded in 2019, Airalo is the world's leading travel eSIM platform, trusted by more than 30 million travellers in over 200 destinations. When you're travelling on your own, being able to check a map, call a taxi or message home the moment you land isn't a luxury. It's peace of mind. Instead of hunting for a SIM card kiosk at the airport or paying steep roaming fees, you simply download a data plan to your phone before you go and connect as soon as you arrive. Airalo's fully remote team of more than 400 people works from over 50 countries, so they understand borderless travel from the inside out. Airalo is also offering JourneyWoman readers an exclusive 15% discount on your first eSIM, so that you can give it a try. Use code JOURNEY15 at checkout here. eSIMs are quickly becoming part of the JourneyWoman packing list, too. In its latest safety survey, nearly one in four readers told Journeywoman Enterprises Inc. they already use one, and Journeywoman Enterprises Inc. expect that number to keep climbing. Journeywoman Enterprises Inc. is grateful to companies like Airalo for helping women travel more safely and confidently, and for supporting small businesses like ours as Journeywoman Enterprises Inc. work together to shift stereotypes about women over 50 in travel.

Travel Tech: KnowRoaming returns for the eSIM era. South African investment group DNI has invested in the travel SIM pioneer to help expand its consumer reach and international footprint, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK. Share. Published on 18 September 2026 The power of an eSIM always amazes me when I land in another country and switch off flight mode. A data package bought before departure connects my phone to a local mobile network for data access almost instantly, while the home SIM remains in place for regular voice calls - if I even receive those anymore. Maps and messaging work before I've got to passport control, and the ancient tradition of expensive data roaming recedes further into history with every trip. KnowRoaming gave travellers an early version of that freedom long before the eSIM became a standard smartphone capability. South African entrepreneur Gregory Gundelfinger and his co-founder Mathew Stein developed what they called the world's first Global SIM Sticker more than a decade ago. The wafer-thin chip was attached to an existing SIM card, and connected the phone to partner networks abroad. At the time, it was my first real global mobile solution. Travellers could use voice and data across more than 200 countries without replacing their home SIM, while an app tracked usage and managed credit. The technology looks quaint beside today's instant downloads, but it anticipated the central promise of eSIM: one device able to adopt a new mobile identity as its owner crosses a border. KnowRoaming piggybacked on global licensing deals made possible by Gundelfinger's US-based telecoms group Telna. In 2024, the business and brand was sold to eSimplified, and executive director Michael Roffey led the rebuilding of the company around consumer and enterprise traveleSIMs. This week, South African investment group DNI announced that it has invested in KnowRoaming as part of more than R2.1-billion committed across its connectivity and technology portfolio. DNI says its investment will help KnowRoaming expand its consumer reach and international footprint, supported by the group's telecommunications expertise and industry relationships. Africa is a primary target for that expansion. In effect, KnowRoaming is very much a global company, but with a large staff contingent based in South Africa. "We see this as a real advantage because it means decisions get made close to one of the fastest-growing travel and eSIM markets in the world," Roffey told Gadget. "DNI's investment strengthens that local anchor and puts Gadget in a strong position to build for the realities of this market. "It comes down to distribution, speed and depth in emerging markets. With DNI alongside us, we can put KnowRoaming in front of customers through far more channels than we could on our own, while accelerating investment in our platform and our marketing." The company is embedding its eSIM service in banks and telecoms businesses, along with travel platforms that can sell connectivity as part of a trip. It has also launched an enterprise service through which companies can provide eSIMs to employees and lower the cost of employee travel data. Of course, the consumer market is overflowing with eSIM brands. Holafly has been especially relentless in its marketing, this week distributing a Travel eSIM Value Index that found, surprise, Holafly offered the best value. Its comparison included Airalo and Saily, but excluded KnowRoaming and my preferred provider, eTravelSIM. In my own travels, eTravelSIM has usually beaten Holafly and Airalo on cost in every country. The latter two usually win on comparisons of unlimited packages for a specific number of days, but that is usually overkill for the typical trip in which the traveller flips between hotel and conference Wi- Fi and an eSIM. "Holafly and Airalo are strong global players, but both are built around a single-purchase model and a largely direct-to-consumer footprint," says Roffey. "KnowRoaming differs both in terms of distribution and product." "We are launching features such as KR.One, whereby a customer buys one eSIM and adds plans to that installed eSIM for every trip. That shifts travellers away from today's disposable model, where you buy a new eSIM for the US and another for the UK, to installing once and simply adding a plan for each trip." That feature takes KnowRoaming back to the principle behind Gundelfinger and Stein's original sticker: install the technology once and use it wherever one travels. And it offers one rare advantage, says Roffey: it treats Africa as a priority region. "We understand the market's realities first-hand, and DNI brings distribution and operating expertise across the continent that no global competitor can easily replicate." * Arthur Goldstuck is CEO of World Wide Worx, editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za, editor of GadgetWings, and author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI - The African Edge".

Which is the best eSIM for Japan? For me, the best eSIM for Japan travel is Sim Local, particularly if you want something you can set up before your trip and then largely forget about once you arrive. One thing that sets Sim Local apart is that it partners with local network providers to offer travellers a more local experience. In Japan, that's AU, one of the country's major mobile networks. That means you get access to a reliable local network all at a price that is lower than other international eSIM providers. The unlimited data is another big selling point for me! I don't want to have to be out and about and worry about suddenly running out of data. Sim Local's Japan plans are unlimited. That matters on a trip where you're constantly using Google Maps, Google Translate, Tabelog, social media, and messaging, etc. There are 4, 7, 10, 15, and 30-day plans, so you can choose one that closely matches the length of your trip. Sim Local also has a Find My Plan tool, which asks four simple questions to help you choose the right option so you're not paying for more than you actually need. What else makes Sim Local One of the best eSIMs for Japan? Sim Local has been around for 15 years and has served more than 4 million customers. Unlike many online-only eSIM brands, it also has a physical presence at major airports including London Heathrow, Madrid-Barajas and Athens International Airport, plus vending machines at more than 100 airports around the world. If something goes wrong while you're away, customer support is available 24/7 through channels including WhatsApp and email. Sim Local also offers a 100% refund policy: if you experience an issue with your eSIM or your travel plans change, you can request a full refund within 14 days of purchase, no questions asked. This is flexibility you don't get anywhere else! I've definitely had so many issues with other eSIM's when traveling and was left trying to troubleshoot it myself when I'm jet-lagged and trying to connect in a new country. For Japan and other places I've traveled internationally, I find all I need is data to get by, but Sim Local does have plans that include both calls and texts, which isn't something you see among other eSIM providers. Lastly, and a very important point, is the price! Sim Local is one of the cheapest international eSIM options for unlimited data when compared with competitors such as Airalo, Saily, and Holafly. Japan plans start at around $22.50 USD for seven days of unlimited data. See the price comparison below: How easy is it to install a Sim Local eSIM for Japan? One of my favourite things about using eSIMs when travelling is being able to sort everything out before I leave home. I've previously used eSIMs while travelling throughout Europe and the USA. I've found it so much more convenient than finding a physical SIM card after landing. Setting up Sim Local only takes five minutes. Once you've purchased your plan, you can install the eSIM on a compatible phone before departure and then follow the activation instructions when you're ready to connect in Japan. There's no physical SIM card to swap and no need to change your existing phone number. That means apps tied to your phone number from home (eg., WhatsApp) can continue working as usual. What is Sim Local's coverage and speed like in Japan? As mentioned, Sim Local's Japan eSIM connects through AU's local Japanese network, giving travellers access to 4G and 5G coverage across most of the country. That's important in Japan because so many of the tools you'll use throughout the day (Google Maps, Google Translate, etc.) depend on having a reliable connection. On my own Japan trip, I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with some day trips in between. I found having an eSIM to be essential for having a smooth trip. I used it constantly to check what platform Twirl the Globe were supposed to be on, how to find its trains, for local food recommendations, etc. As you'd expect with any mobile network, coverage and speeds can vary by location, and more remote or mountainous areas may not offer the same speeds you'd experience in major cities. Who is Sim Local, the best eSIM for Japan, best for? Sim Local is a great option for travellers who want to stay connected without having to think too much about data once they arrive. Unlimited data means you don't have to constantly monitor your usage, while hotspot support can be particularly useful if you're travelling with other devices. Here's a look at how some travellers use it. * Solo travellers: Having reliable access to Google Maps, transit directions, translation apps and messaging can make navigating Japan independently much easier. * Solo female travellers: Staying connected means having Maps, transportation information and messaging available when you're navigating somewhere unfamiliar or returning to your accommodation alone. * Couples, families and groups: Hotspot support makes it possible to connect another device when needed. * Digital nomads: Unlimited data and hotspot support can be useful when you need to connect a laptop or work while travelling. * Slow travellers: With options up to 30 days, you can choose a plan suited to a longer stay without constantly topping up data. * First-time visitors to Japan: Being connected as soon as you arrive takes one more logistical task off your plate when you're already figuring out a new country. Why is mobile data so useful when travelling in Japan? Reliable data was one of the most useful things on my Japan trip because so many of the tools Twirl the Globe relied on were on its phones. A few additional things I'd recommend setting up before you go: Google Maps for navigating. Public transportation is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get around Japan, but it can be intimidating at first. Google Maps became one of my most-used apps because it showed Twirl the Globe which train to take, departure times, transfers, platforms, and even which station exit to use. This is incredibly useful in massive train stations like Shinjuku Station. Suica card for public transportation. If you have a compatible iPhone, adding Suica to your Apple Wallet makes public transit much easier. Load it before or during your trip and tap your phone at transit gates as you enter and exit the station. You can also use Suica at many convenience stores, vending machines, and shops, which is great if you don't use up all the money you've loaded onto your card before you leave. Other helpful apps to download before traveling to Japan. Along with Google Maps, I'd recommend Tabelog for finding restaurants and reading local reviews. This is what the locals use where reading reviews on Google is more for tourists. It's also important to note that Japanese people very rarely will rank something 5 stars, so you'll notice an excellent restaurant may only have a 3.5-star rating, which is considered exceptional by Japanese standards. Google Translate is also a great tool to have readily available with the Japanese language already loaded. I use it for menus, signs, and those moments when English isn't available. This is exactly where having unlimited mobile data becomes so useful. You aren't constantly searching for public Wi-Fi or worrying about how much data you've used every time you open Maps, research a restaurant, or translate something. So, is Sim Local the best eSIM for Japan? Some of the best moments of a trip to Japan will probably be the ones you didn't plan for. But having reliable mobile data gives you the freedom to be spontaneous without worrying about how you'll navigate back to your hotel, find your next train or look up that restaurant someone just recommended. For me, Sim Local stands out as one of the best eSIM options for Japan because it combines genuinely unlimited data with AU's local Japanese network, competitive pricing, simple pre-trip installation, and 24/7 support. This gives me everything I need in an eSIM to make sure my device is at my fingertips when I need it the most. Use my exclusive code TWIRLTHEGLOBE for 5% off your Sim Local eSIM. Additional faqs. What happens if your Sim Local eSIM doesn't work? One good thing about this is that the carrier offers a 100% refund, no questions asked, within 14 days of purchase, so you really have nothing to lose or worry about. What happens after I use my daily high-speed data? Your connection doesn't stop. You'll continue at a reduced speed for the rest of the day, and your full high-speed allowance resets 24 hours after you first activated the plan. So you don't have to worry about not being able to access your messaging, apps, etc., as you tour around. Can I still use WhatsApp with an eSIM in Japan? Yes! Using an eSIM doesn't mean you have to change the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account. You can keep your existing SIM and number while using your eSIM for mobile data, so your WhatsApp chats and contacts remain the same. The same goes for apps like iMessage. Can I use a Sim Local eSIM as a Hotspot? Yes! Hotspot and tethering are included across plans. For AU plans, the allowance is 3GB total. Sharing is caring!