#InternationalSIM

How InternationalSIM meets the explosion in data usage

29/09/2026

4 min

Whether on vacation or a business trip, data has become the invisible fuel of travel: itineraries, instant translation, real-time sharing, and remote work. This consumption is skyrocketing.

Bouygues Telecom, through its InternationalSIM range, is at the forefront of this transformation. Here is our analysis.

Our data shows a growth in travel data consumption of around +30% per year.

This trend is widely corroborated by industry analysts:

According to Kaleido Intelligence, global roaming data traffic is expected to surge by +140% by 2030 (kaleidointelligence.com).
Juniper Research estimates global travel eSIM revenues at $1.8 billion by the end of 2025 (up +85% in one year), with a projection of over $8.7 billion by 2030 (juniperresearch.com).
Counterpoint Research anticipates a tripling of travel eSIM downloads between 2025 and 2030 (counterpointresearch.com).

AI is becoming an everyday travel companion. According to Phocuswright, 56% of travelers have already used AI to plan a trip, and 92% of French users believe it influenced at least one of their decisions (phocuswright.com). Every real-time conversational interaction—translation, recommendations, itinerary adjustments—consumes data continuously throughout the trip, and no longer just at the time of booking.
Tomorrow, smart glasses. Early use cases of continuous visual capture and analysis (location recognition, augmented translation) suggest data requirements significantly higher than those of a standard smartphone. While precise volumes remain estimates to be confirmed at this stage, the direction is clear: the next generation of connected travel devices will be natively data-hungry.

87% of prepaid traveler plan sales to Europe* are now made in eSIM format (Q3 2026) compared to just 45% a year earlier (Q3 2025).

In one year, the balance has shifted: the physical SIM card, which still accounted for 55% of sales a year ago, now represents just 13% today. The eSIM is no longer an alternative; it has become the default choice. *MyEuropean SIM plan, International SIM range by Bouygues Telecom.

1.eSIMs are now purchased before departure.

The shift in behavior is clear (see the key figure below): connectivity is no longer a concern managed upon arrival; it is an integral part of trip preparation, just like tickets or accommodation.
2.Plans tailored for these new use cases.

In response to ever-growing needs, we have upgraded our range with 100 GB plans for France and 120 GB plans for Europe—designed for travelers who use AI, streaming, and navigation continuously, without worrying about data limits. And because every trip is unique, our offer adapts to all situations across more than 200 destinations: from light packages for short stays to ultra-generous data allowances for the most intensive uses.
3.Partnerships that go beyond pure connectivity.

Travel eSIMs are now integrated into broader value propositions: this is the driving force behind our partnership with Crédit Mutuel-CIC, which embeds our travel eSIMs into its global offering for its clients, and our agreement with Havas Voyages, which now offers our travel eSIMs directly within its booking journey. Connectivity is becoming an embedded service in the customer experience of players who, at first glance, have nothing to do with telecoms.

"The eSIM has transitioned from an option for tech-savvy travelers to an absolute must-have. With International SIM, our role is no longer just to provide network coverage abroad: it is to make connectivity as simple and seamless as the rest of the trip, regardless of the channel through which our customers access it."

Thomas Luisetti

Head of New Strategic Business - Value Factory

Travel data is no longer an afterthought: it is a pillar of the customer experience, set to grow even further with AI and tomorrow’s connected objects. In one year, InternationalSIM has transformed usage—and Bouygues Telecom is positioning itself as a key player in this space, far beyond the simple SIM card.