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Growth Opportunities in Western Europe Consumer eSIM Market, 2024–2026

Publisher Frost & Sullivan
Published Aug 26, 2025
SKU # MC20367874

Description

The consumer eSIM market in Western Europe is growing rapidly, though mass adoption remains several years away. Smartphones are the primary driver of eSIM adoption by volume. While most smartphones now support eSIM and nearly all major operators offer eSIM services, a large gap remains between device capability and active eSIM plan usage.

Frost & Sullivan expects eSIM penetration in Western Europe to accelerate once eSIM-only iPhones become widely available.

This study analyzes the market size of the consumer eSIM segment in Western Europe, providing a forecast of cumulative human mobile subscriptions (active connections) from 2024 to 2026, with 2024 as the base year. It segments the market by technology type—eSIM and traditional SIM cards.

The report also examines key market drivers and restraints, eSIM technology trends, use cases, and growth opportunities.

Strategic imperatives include the rise of disruptive technologies as more eSIM-capable devices enter the market; the growing popularity of postpaid eSIM plans as innovative business models; and increasing competitive intensity, with traditional telcos coexisting alongside MVNOs targeting eSIM niche markets.

The study concludes by outlining growth opportunities in the European consumer eSIM landscape.

Table of Contents

Research Scope
Scope of Analysis
Definitions
Segmentation
eSIM Consumer Segment Overview
eSIM Technology Trends
eSIM Technology Trends—Consumer Segment
eSIM Potential Use Cases—Consumer Segment
Apple’s eSIM-Only Strategy in 2025: Opportunities and Concerns
Telcos Offering eSIM Data Plans by Country for Apple’s Smartphones
Strategic Imperatives
Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Consumer eSIM Industry
Growth Opportunity Analysis
Growth Metrics
Growth Drivers
Growth Restraints
Cumulative Mobile Subscriptions by Type of SIM Card
Forecast Analysis
Growth Opportunity Universe
Growth Opportunity 1: Promoting eSIM with Digital-First Initiatives and During Customer Onboarding
Growth Opportunity 2: Collaboration with OEMs to Ensure eSIM Certification, Device Compatibility, and Multi-Device Functionality
Growth Opportunity 3: Multi-Channel Educational Campaigns to Raise Consumer Awareness and Increase eSIM Adoption
Appendix & Next Steps
Benefits and Impacts of Growth Opportunities
Next Steps
List of Exhibits
Legal Disclaimer

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