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What's eSIM?

An eSIM is an embedded SIM card that's built into your phone, tablet, or watch. eSIM allows you to activate a cellular plan without having to use a traditional physical SIM card.

eSIM at Spark

Spark is the first operator in New Zealand to support eSIM. We've unlocked the opportunity for a seamless digital onboarding experience to Enterprise customers helping accelerate digital transformation in New Zealand during the pandemic.

Spark’s eSIM works with the latest Corporate, Enterprise, and Government mobile plans, including Business Endless plans, Smartshare plans and Business Share plans. eSIM also works with wearable plans such as Apple watch One Number Wearable plan and Samsung watch Endless Wearables plan.

Note: We can only guarantee that eSIM works on a device purchased from Spark.​ 

Having eSIM devices in your fleet also means faster deployments, reduced cost and no more waiting for SIM cards to arrive.

Business benefits of eSIM

More capability

Use multiple mobile plans on the same device for work, personal use, and business travels.

More connected devices

Left your phone behind? No worries, your watches, tablets, and laptops will be connected to the same mobile network.

Zero touch deployment

With Mobile Device Management, provision connectivity and custom profile for remote workers.

Less hardware

eSIM is embedded inside the watch or phone, it is intuitive to use.

Time efficient

eSIM can be provisioned online. No need to wait for a physical SIM card.

Remote deployment

Remotely provision and deploy new devices. Quickly swap devices between users.

eSIM devices

eSIM is available for Apple, Samsung, and Huawei devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearables.

View list of eligible devices

Want to find out more about eSIM?

Corporate customers

  • Email mobiledirect@spark.co.nz
  • Contact your Spark Customer Lead
  • Call 0800 482 290 option 2
Contact us

Government customers

  • Email taasservicedesk@spark.co.nz
  • Contact your Spark Customer Lead
  • Call 0800 822 773
Contact us

Frequently asked questions

Here’s a bit of information to help you understand eSIM and eSIM-connected devices. Learn more in the FAQs below.

To swap your eSIM to a new phone, get in touch through the below channels:

  • Login to your MySpark Business Portal
    • Note you can only make one order at a time. To make multiple orders, contact your dedicated service desk.
  • Contact the Service Desk
    • Corporate customers
      • Call: 0800 482 290, Option 2
      • Email: mobiledirect@spark.co.nz
      • Contact us
    • Government customers
      • Call: 0800 822 773
      • Email: TaaSservicedesk@spark.co.nz
      • Contact us
  • Chat to your Customer Lead

 

When the order is complete, you’ll receive an email with the QR code that you’ll need to scan on your new phone.

To switch back to a physical SIM card after getting eSIM, get in touch through the below channels:

  • Login to your MySpark Business Portal
  • Contact the Service Desk
    • Corporate customers
      • Call: 0800 482 290, Option 2
      • Contact us
      • Email: mobiledirect@spark.co.nz
    • Government customers
      • Call: 0800 822 773
      • Contact us
      • Email: TaaSservicedesk@spark.co.nz
    • Chat to your Customer Lead

If you’re using an eSIM you'll need to use your ICCD number. Here's how to find it. Steps may vary depending on your device make and model.

  • iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About. (If you tap ICCID, it may switch to CSN. Tap again to view the ICCID)
  • Android: Go to Settings > About or About Device > IMEI information

Your ICCID number is between the first two digits (89) and the last digit. It's a 16-digit number beginning with 64. This is your Spark SIM card number.

Your new provider will let you know what details are required. Prepaid customers will need to provide their ICCID.

Please refer to our Transfer Services page for full details. Go to Transfer Services

eSIM gets you connected on the mobile network. 3G ,4G or 5G connectivity depends on device settings and/or network coverage.

These services depend on the plan inclusions and general network availability. They're not affected by eSIM.

The number of profiles you can have depends on the type of device. iPhones let you to store multiple profiles, and you can switch between profiles in the device settings.

Smart watches generally can only store one eSIM profile at a time.

Notes

  • If your device asks you to disable a line when you are trying to activate a new SIM, this means you have reached the maximum active profiles available on your device.
  • This could happen when you have one eSIM and one physical SIM card active. The message will say “Mobile Data Plan is enabled. Your mobile plan is enabled. Which line would you like to disable?”
  • You will need to choose one of the profiles to disable in order to activate a new line.
  • You can also switch between profiles. If you're trying to turn on a profile when you already have the maximum active profiles active on your phone, you will be asked to turn off one of your profiles.
  • Disabling a line will not stop your plan from being billed. If you're wanting to cancel a plan of an inactive profile, you will need to contact the service provider the plan is active with.

No, eSIM doesn't use more data than a physical SIM card.

To control your data usage, you can set up Smart Caps from your MySpark Business account. Learn about Smart Caps

No, contacts can't be stored on eSIM.

Yes, eSIM is available for the following tablets:

  • Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) and later, iPad Pro (3rd gen, 12.9-inch) and later, iPad Air (3rd gen) and later, iPad (7th gen) and later, iPad Mini (5th gen) and later

We can't guarantee that eSIM will work on a tablet that wasn’t bought from Spark.

eSIM is available for these phones:

  • iPhone XR, XS and later (on the latest software version)
    • To check if there is a software update available, open Settings > General > About Device > Software Update. Before installing an update, we recommend backing up your phone. Download the update over WiFi to avoid using data.
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold, Z Flip, Galaxy S20 and later
  • Huawei P40 Pro and later

eSIM is available for these watches sold by Spark:

  • Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) and later (on the latest software version) 
    • To check if there is a software update available, from your iPhone open the Watch app. Tap General > Software Update. Before installing an update, we recommend  performing a backup. Download the update over WiFi to avoid using data.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 4G and later (cellular models only)

Note:

  • A cellular plan is required to use eSIM features on a watch.
  • You'll also need a mobile plan from Spark on you primary phone.
  • Plans for eSIM watches are not available in the TaaS Catalogue.
  • We can't guarantee that eSIM will work on the watch if it wasn’t bought from Spark.

If you have an eligible device mentioned above, you can request an eSIM through the below channels.

Request an eSIM for a mobile phone or tablet

  • Login to your MySpark Business Portal
    • Note you can only make one order at a time. To make multiple orders, contact your dedicated service desk.
  • Contact the Service Desk
    • Corporate customers
      • Call: 0800 482 290, Option 2
      • Email: mobiledirect@spark.co.nz
    • Government customers
      • Call: 0800 822 773
      • Email: TaaSservicedesk@spark.co.nz
  • Chat to your Customer Lead

Once your eSIM order is complete, you'll receive an email containing a QR code and instructions to set up your device.

Request an eSIM for a cellular watch

  • Corporate customers only
    • Call: 0800 482 290, Option 2
    • Email: mobiledirect@spark.co.nz

Note: Cellular plans for eSIM watches are not available in the TaaS Catalogue.

Once your eSIM watch order is complete, you'll receive an email with instructions to set up your device. No QR code is required.

We can help you block and unblock your eSIM device if it is lost or stolen.

Contact us

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