As the first smartphone without a physical SIM card is launched on the Belgian market, Proximus anticipates the transition to eSIM by releasing two new features designed to make the switch as hassle free as possible for customers.
Mobile connectivity is making massive leaps thanks to new technologies like 5G, while our smartphones are also becoming increasingly powerful and innovative. This evolution even extends to SIM cards, with eSIM's recent rise to prominence on the market. At this stage, about 80% of the devices sold by Proximus are eSIM compatible. The iPhone Air, announced Tuesday, will be the first "eSIM only" smartphone to be released on the Belgian market.
Proximus strongly believes in the technology behind eSIM. Its use allows customers to manage one or more numbers and user profiles in a completely digital and secure way. At the same time, it is a smart and sustainable choice, leading to (plastic) waste reduction and less transportation and logistics. This is why Proximus is set on supporting its customers and the Belgian market during this transition, which will establish eSIM as the new standard.
New customers are already making the switch to eSIM with ease; over six in ten activations are for new mobile numbers. Existing customers typically switch when they purchase a new smartphone. In this regard, the rise of "eSIM only" devices is expected to further boost interest. To ensure this transition goes as smoothly as possible, Proximus is introducing two key innovations:
Quick Transfer: from one phone to another
Transferring a number (whether on a physical SIM card or an eSIM) to a new device can now be done in just a few clicks. Proximus offers this new feature on different brands: it is currently available on iPhones with the September iOS 26 update, Google Pixels 9 and 10, and will be on almost all Samsung devices by the end of the year. Currently, this feature is only available for transfers between devices with the same operating system.
Self-service eSIM activation in the Proximus+ app
Until recently, customers who wished to transfer an existing SIM card or eSIM to another device needed to drop by a Proximus Shop. From now on, this process can also be done completely digitally, with secure identification using itsme, allowing customers to make the switch completely autonomously and at their own pace. Moreover, this switch can also be done for devices with different operating systems.
