In a previous blog we discussed the launch of Talk, Text & Travel, our new global connectivity service that provides data, voice and SMS to Business Travellers.
The launch of Talk, Text & Travel coincided with research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, which found that “a majority of US corporate travel buyers expect their company’s business travel to ramp up and return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023”
Of the 151 US-based corporate travel buyers questioned, most (64%) say that their companies are unlikely to limit business travel, although many are taking a wait-and-see approach and not seriously considering limiting business travel (36%). Only one in five travel managers say their company (19%) is already implementing a plan to limit business travel.
Travel managers identified these reasons for travel: domestic business travel (74%), external meetings (77%), conference/group travel (76%) and internal meetings (69%).
Achieving cost savings whilst maintaining the business traveller experience is identified as a priority for travel managers. Three in five travel managers (62%) say cost-focused metrics are the most important measures they will use to evaluate their program’s success in 2023.
As well as travel and accommodation costs, the cost of connectivity for employees whilst they are away is of increasing importance. And that’s where Telecom26’s Talk, Travel and Text service – and Business Travel SIMS - come in…
Roaming vs Business Travel SIMs vs local pre-paid cards
In a nutshell, roaming is a cash cow for traditional operators whose exorbitant rates for using a device to make and receive cellular and whatsapp calls and texts, visit websites and check email can lead to ‘bill shock’ on return. Post-Brexit, subscribers to UK operators who can no longer benefit from ‘roam as if you’re at home’ have been particularly hard hit.
So, what are the options for business travellers who need to stay connected?
Picking up a local prepaid sim card when you arrive in a new country is one. This is convenient for when you’re only visiting one country but, as this website advises users have to “be careful in places close to the borders of your provider’s free-usage areas, to make sure you’re not using a provider just the other side of the border”. Other drawbacks are that most large local carriers charge more, cover less, and don’t remember your name when you call. Worse, Travel and Tourist SIM card offerings rarely give you portal access for enterprise-wide control and transparency into your organization’s usage, billing, and services.
For business travellers, hoping between countries, a Business Travel SIM card is the most convenient, and cost-effective, option.
The Telecom26 Business Travel SIM card
One of the many advantages of using our Talk, Text & Travel service, is that people don’t have to replace their existing subscriptions. They can use the service they already subscribe to in their home country – and with a few quick taps move to Telecom26 when they are abroad.
Our Business Travel eSIMs are quick and easy to install on any device via the settings tool and using a QR code to download the software.
Designed exclusively for Enterprise business travellers, Talk, Text and Travel provides users with Business Class connectivity in more than 200 countries, with 1100+ roaming partners worldwide. And, unlike other global connectivity providers, we offer dedicated support to ensure our customers have a trouble-free experience –and peace of mind. Other benefits include:
- Pricing from just €2/GB. You can read more about our Global Mobile service and enabling predictable data roaming for travellers here.
- Available as a monthly subscription bundle, Talk, Text & Travel provides the flexibility people, and the organisations they work for, need to manage costs and control usage. Different packages are available, giving optimised bundles for different regions – customers can choose the option they need to suit their business and travel requirements.
- Single invoice and management portal for all users and devices
- Full control of eSIM allocation and activation
- Near real-time usage monitoring
- Ability to set alerts and related actions via the portal
We will be discussing more issues around international SIMs in future blogs including:
- How and why a Business Travel SIM gives users better – and more cost-effective – connectivity
- How MVNOs - and other operators - can white label Telecom26’s Business – and leisure - Travel SIM services and extend and expand their roaming offering
- How businesses – such as cruise companies and boutique travel operators – can white label Telecom26’s Business Travel SIM service and create a new revenue stream that also benefits customers
In the meantime, please click here to learn more about how Talk, Text & Travel can reduce your mobile bill – and provide a better service for when you’re abroad.
Telecom26 and global connectivity
We’re an independent, global mobile operator with our own network core and operational assets, and relationships with more than 1100 network connections and 620 mobile operators to secure unrivalled global coverage.
We offer a full range of telecom services and connectivity options including 5G (where available), LTE-M, Wi-Fi, private networks, 2G, 3G and 4G, as well offshore connectivity capabilities.
Our customers include enterprises, OEMs and NGOs who want a single delivery partner, cross-border solutions and network coverage that is secure, resilient and can be tailored to meet specific and evolving needs.
If you’d like to organise a video call,to discuss how we can help improve the global connectivity of your team when they are out and about including maritime connectivity please get in touch.
