Philippines
Nationwide coverage
Data across the Philippines — Palawan's lagoons, the Banaue rice terraces, Cebu's diving and the ferries between. Land connected across the archipelago.
- 5G where available
- No roaming charges
- Instant eSIM delivery
- Keep your number
eSIM + QR code emailed instantly · no physical SIM
Globe and Smart across the archipelago
Your eSIM connects to Globe and Smart, both on 5G. These are the two national networks, and having both matters in a country of over 7,000 islands where coverage varies island by island.
Manila, Cebu, Davao, Boracay and the main tourist centres are well covered. Puerto Princesa and El Nido have workable signal in town; the lagoons and island-hopping routes around them do not.
SIM registration, and why an eSIM avoids it
The Philippines requires all SIM cards to be registered to a verified identity, and the process for foreign visitors involves presenting your passport and completing a registration before the SIM will work. It's not onerous, but it is a queue and a form when you've just landed.
A travel eSIM is provisioned before you arrive, so it simply works when you switch it on.
Typhoons, ferries and how much data to buy
Typhoon season runs roughly June to November, and having live weather and ferry updates genuinely matters — domestic flights and boats cancel at short notice and the information arrives online first.
A fortnight island-hopping wants 5 GB at £5.99. A month covering Luzon, the Visayas and Palawan suits the 20 GB. There's also a 50 GB plan valid 180 days for longer stays.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Do I need to register this eSIM under the SIM registration law?+
No. Registration applies to SIMs bought within the Philippines. Your eSIM is issued before you travel, so there's no form to complete and no wait for activation.
Will I have signal island-hopping around El Nido?+
In town, yes. Out on the lagoon tours and between the smaller islands, expect to lose it. Download maps and screenshot your booking details before you get on the boat.
How do I install it?+
After checkout we email your eSIM and a QR code. Scan it in your phone's settings, switch the line on, and you're ready — do it before you fly and it activates when you land.
Will it work on my phone?+
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, recent Samsung/Pixel). Check your phone in Settings, or use our compatibility checker.
When does my plan start?+
Validity counts from first connection in the destination, not from purchase — so you can buy and install early without wasting days.
Can I keep using my normal number?+
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and runs alongside your usual SIM, so calls and texts on your main number still work.
Networks
Your eSIM hops onto the strongest of Philippines’s local networks automatically — no setup, no choosing.
Coverage
Full nationwide data across Philippines on tier-1 partner networks.