The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) has officially entered the international eSIM market, becoming the last major mobile operator in Costa Rica to offer this digital connectivity solution for subscribers traveling abroad.

While its primary private competitors, Liberty and Claro, have been offering international eSIM capabilities for some time, ICE’s commercial brand, kölbi, announced this Thursday the launch of its new eSIM Global service. Developed in partnership with the prominent digital eSIM marketplace Airalo, the system provides seamless internet access across nearly 200 countries without requiring a physical SIM card swap.

How It Works: Activating your kölbi eSIM Global

The activation process is completely digital and can be completed in three simple steps before you board your flight:

• Purchase: Users can buy the eSIM Global package directly online via the official kolbi.cr website.
• Scan: A unique QR code will be generated for the user to scan with their smartphone.
• Activate: The service activates instantly, letting you keep your domestic physical SIM intact while running data on the digital eSIM profile.

To keep costs transparent, ICE has introduced a prepaid model. Travelers can select tailored data packages depending on their destination, consumption habits, and trip duration. The exact cost of the plan is displayed upfront, eliminating hidden surprises. Additionally, unlimited data packages are available for specific countries, regional zones, and global itineraries.

What is an eSIM and Why Use It?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a completely digital version of the traditional plastic SIM card that fits into your smartphone’s side tray. It stores your carrier profiles, phone numbers, and active data plans digitally on the device’s internal hardware.

For modern travelers, the benefits are clear:

• A Smarter Alternative to Roaming: It removes the friction of high carrier roaming fees by allowing you to tap directly into local networks digitally.
• No Physical Swap: You don’t have to worry about losing your primary SIM card while handling tiny plastic chips at an airport terminal.
• Easy Switching: In the future, if you choose to port your number or switch data networks, it can be handled over-the-air without needing a physical replacement.

Device Compatibility and Customer Support

The vast majority of mid-to-high-end smartphones released in recent years natively support eSIM technology. To ensure your phone is compatible, you can cross-reference your model with the official compatibility list hosted on the ICE network site.

Managing your usage and getting help on the go is handled directly through the integration with Airalo:

• Tracking Data: Real-time consumption metrics can be viewed directly via the Airalo mobile app or by logging into the kölbi-Airalo web portal.
• Customer Support: Live chat assistance is available on the portal, via WhatsApp, or through the dedicated Airalo application. For email inquiries, users can reach out to [email protected].
• App Installation: The platform offers direct downloads optimized for different ecosystems, ensuring seamless deployment whether you are installing an eSIM on iOS, Android, or Samsung Galaxy devices.

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