A plan's validity and its fair-use rules decide how much of what you paid for you can actually use. Read both before buying. Here's what to look for.
When does the validity period start?
Plans generally follow one of three patterns, and the activation line on each plan tells you which:
- On first connection to a supported network. You can usually install before you travel, and the clock starts when your phone first connects at your destination.
- On installation. The clock starts when the eSIM profile is added to your phone, so installing a week early can cost you a week.
- By a deadline. Some plans must be activated within a set period after purchase or they expire unused.
If a plan's activation term isn't stated, don't assume the most generous version. Install close to your departure, or ask us first.
What happens at the end?
When either the data runs out or the validity period ends — whichever comes first — the plan stops providing data. Unused data doesn't usually carry over. Your phone's other SIM, if you have one, is unaffected.
Counting days
A “7-day” plan may count 24-hour periods from activation or calendar days in a particular time zone. For trips where the last day matters — an early flight home, for example — leave a day of margin.
What “unlimited” usually means
Most unlimited mobile plans are subject to a fair-use policy. A common pattern is full speed up to a daily or total amount of data, then reduced speed for the rest of the period. Reduced speeds can be fine for messaging but slow for video or large downloads.
Hotspot rules can differ on unlimited plans too. Our comparison table marks plans as unlimited with an asterisk, and the plan page shows whatever terms are provided for that plan.
A quick checklist
- Read the activation line and decide when to install.
- Leave a day's margin on validity for your return journey.
- For unlimited plans, plan around the reduced speed, not the full speed.
- Check remaining data and expiry from your order page during the trip.