2degrees announces consumer availability of its eSIMS

2degrees has launched its eSIMs for consumer customers just over two weeks after releasing eSIMs for businesses.

eSIMs afford the availability of services on modern handsets and devices without the need for a physical SIM card, and its functionality is now available on a variety of products from Apple, Oppo and Samsung, including the latter's new Flip and Fold devices.

"There's massive demand for eSIMs for both consumer and business users, and we are glad to have a solution that will appeal to a range of people, from those who have been juggling a work and personal phone, to those who want to use a local SIM while roaming overseas, or have a backup service on their phone," 2degrees chief marketing and strategy officer Zac Summers says.

"Now they can use a single device and virtually switch between SIMs.

Summers also notes that offering eSIMs enables people to trial the 2degrees network.

"We have spent more than a billion dollars on our mobile network. It's, quite frankly, awesome. With eSIMs, it's easy for people to give it a trial. I am confident they will like what they see," Summers adds.

Further, Summers says the next step is making eSIMs available on wearable devices.

Summers also adds that the company's 5G rollout continues its reach and successful implementation.

New locations available in August include Ellerslie North, Northcote and Wakefield St in Auckland, and Halswell, Bush Inn, Sparks Road and Riccarton West in Christchurch.

eSIM capable devices include:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, all iPhone 11, 12 - 13 ranges, iPhone SE 2020, and SE 2022
• Samsung Galaxy S20, S21 and S22 ranges (excluding FE models), Note20 and Note20 Ultra, all Fold and Flip models
• Oppo Find X3 Pro, Find X5, Find X5 Pro
• iPad Mini 5th gen (2019) and later
• iPad Air 3rd gen (2019) and later
• iPad Pro 3rd gen (2018)

The consumer availability of eSIMs comes after 2degrees announced Liz Coutts as the board chair, with Russell Stanners and Kathy Meads joining her as directors.

The board appointments follow the successful merger of Vocus New Zealand and 2degrees, and the company says it will further strengthen its governance, commercial, financial and business transformation leadership.

2degrees says the board members bring significant industry and business expertise to 2degrees as it continues to grow, disrupt the market, and challenge the sector.

2degrees says Coutts currently chairs a range of boards, including Oceania Healthcare, Skellerup Holdings and EBOS Group. She has previously held governance roles at Yellow Pages, Sanford, Life Pharmacy, Air New Zealand and Trust Bank.

The telco says Russell Stanners brings significant experience in the telecommunications and IT sectors, most recently as chief executive and director at Vodafone New Zealand, where he had first-hand experience integrating people and business cultures. Other director roles include ihug, Unisys and IBM.

2degrees says Christchurch-based Kathy Meads has extensive governance experience with current director roles at Port Taranaki, Magic Memories and NZPM, along with an international directorship in The Shipowners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association (Luxembourg).

Her previous directorships include Transpower and Enable Networks. In addition, 2degrees says Meads is an experienced CFO, having held operational roles across a broad range of business sectors, including the telecommunications, ports, electricity, and insurance industries.