Recently, I noticed my current SIM card subscription is about to expire, so I checked how much the new subscription will cost. The SIM provider has jacked up the price over the years in the name of giving you MORE internet data, which I barely use. I don't really need 50 GB each month or 2000 mins for calls. It's really important to know what you actually need, because the fiat world loves to package things you don't need. So I was thinking maybe switch to prepaid, pay-as-I-go, and I had to call the call center three times to get it done. Only after going through things like this do you really appreciate how much better the experience is with Bitcoin e-SIM services.
I would like to share the current Bitcoin e-SIM options (mainly for internet and receiving messages) and my experience here.
Silent link
No KYC, no email needed. I have been using Silent Link for at least two years, and I've traveled to different countries with it. You are literally able to access the local internet the second you land, which is really handy for travelers!
Another bonus: even in places where one local provider is weak, you can manually switch to another, which basically means you can choose the provider whenever instead of locking into one like in the fiat world.
Pricing: $9 for data only, with a $5 initial balance.
The paying experience is great. Onchain and LN payment available. It redirects to a unique link with a QR code after you pay, then you just scan it with your phone, super easy. Don't forget to bookmark the unique link for later top-ups. Top-up is super simple too: just go back to the unique link you bookmarked, create an invoice, and pay.
To check how much money is left, dial *187#.
Silent Link also offers number rental (US numbers only). I tried that too, but the number I got couldn't register for some apps, so I stopped using it.
Nadanada
No KYC, no email needed. Nadanada has more services than Silent Link, including VPN, e-SIM, disposable numbers, and number rental; I tested the 3-month rental number, and I quite liked the overall experience, especially the part that you don't need to download another App so to receive messages, all you need is simply log back in to the link, which is super cool!
Pricing
3-month UK rental number: $12; 12-month UK rental number: $44.
It also redirects to a unique link after payment, don't forget to bookmark it for renew or to receive messages.
I think Nadanada is especially good for business. Don't use Google Voice or anything like that, because they would take the number back for no reason. One more detail to share is that you need to verify the rental number's cleanliness before renting it long-term. For example, I got two numbers from Nadanada; one can register for most apps I tested, but the other had trouble with one app.
Another issue I've found so far is that once the rental period expires, you can't renew the same number anymore, and all your message history is gone too, which isn't good if you want to use it for something important. You can definitely rent it for one year or longer and even set a remind email, but do keep that in mind.
I have a suggestion: how about giving people a grace period to renew the same number after it expires? Maybe even an option to download the message history. @nadanada_me
The Art of Slowly Exiting the Fiat World
I'm aware that a local SIM is necessary for local delivery and any Gov-related things, but it's better to limit its use; for example, avoid using it to register any of your online profiles.
My current setup is a prepaid local SIM, Silent Link for internet, and Nadanada for sites that need a verification code. The best part about these Bitcoin e-SIMs is that you pay for what you actually use, and even better: you might develop a better habit of using your phone less when you're out!
Less screen time, less internet use, spend less money (save more sats), and spend more time in real life with people around you, which sounds quite a good deal! I've started taking a notebook with me now. Since I am learning a new language, I can spend more time learning instead of checking what's going on on the internet.
Disclosures
I won't get paid or anything for recommending them, I just enjoy finding tools that make my life easier, and happy to share my experience. After you try how things work with Bitcoin, you simply CAN'T go back to fiat companies. Since a few people have asked previously, "Will you use Bitcoin as your everyday money?" It actually starts with small things like this.
Once you taste the simplicity and peace of mind compared with fiat companies, you will slowly try to find alternatives to exit the fiat world. Even better, you learn how to create it yourself if you can't find it.
Enjoy! ⚡️
I recently saw nadanada advertied on AlbyHub. Never tried it, but it looks interesting.
Check it out, Nadanada actually started with providing simple VPN services.
Dang. I just switched to mullvad because they let you pay in sats.
Mullvad makes really good software tho. Their android apk is one of the few where I have very little findings when I review. Maybe its even the #1 now that I'm finding more and more issues in signal and phoenix.
Mullvad browser and VPN, both are my fav!
I like Brave better than their browser simply due to some useful features (tor built-in so I can keep my tor browser in no-js mode, yet use some of the tor endpoints that require javascript) and I don't need any browser plugins for brave to remove adware, have custom endpoint blocking, have custom user script integration... and so on. Without needing to rely on 4 different plugin providers.
I also use Brave for work-related things, and noted. 👀 But I like Mullvad more, the UI and the simplicity, but ofc I am not too technical to see more.
It becomes a problem when you force yourself to code-review at least lightly everything you use. Browsers are enormous codebases to begin with, and normally I don't like monoliths, but from a review perspective, as long as there are no major things that you cannot patch yourself, it beats having to review a million things separately. The overhead of reviewing every plugin is insane and I find myself removing more and more software because I simply don't have the time to shadow-maintain all the stuff now that everything under the sun is being vibecoded.
Maybe Brave is not going to survive my scrutiny either though, and then I'll have to do something with Mullvad Browser. Strip it down, then build it back up. But again, being shadowmaintainer sucks. It takes waaaay too much time. So I'm reserving that honor for stuff I truly depend upon.
I don't think it's a loss because I don't want to use Mullvad. I just like supporting new, smaller companies.
I'm not really sure that I understand what you're saying here:
supportingsmaller companies important in operational origin obfuscation?I think you did great getting off Nord; it's one of these providers with allegations of being funded by spooks. I can't tell if they are but in that case it's been a pretty persistent allegation over the years.
The Germans failed to raid Mullvad for logs, which is good. The downside is that in response, to reduce abuse and being raided more, they turned of port forwarding (though personally I don't use that). Having some protection through Swedish data protection laws, and great local jurisprudence on what does and does not make a company an ISP (VPN providers aren't that) is a nice to have cherry on top, I guess.
I don't know how nadanada runs their VPN servers exactly, because the FAQ is a bit sparse on detail. That they are domiciled in Germany mostly trades some up/downsides vs Sweden, for now, but in general I think that it is hard to get a feel for closed systems and what they truly offer in terms of security. There's a lot of trustmebro and industry-wide a lot of betrayal from these bros.
Maybe I'll write one post for Mullvad next week, such a gem.
Or you can simply pick what each company are good at.
I use Mullvad for VPN too, as you can see in my post, I only use Nadanada for number rental.
Yeah, I’ve been thinking about trying an eSIM like this for travel. Paying with Bitcoin and getting online right after landing is pretty damn convenient.
This is the way.
I haven't given up my carrier phone number yet (my US number is tied to a lot of stuff in life, it feels very complicated to make sure I change all of it).
But I have used silent link a fair bit when travelling. It's pretty great! I love that feeling of landing somewhere and switching to my esim and poof! I'm on the internet. I've found silent link to be pretty affordable in most of the places I've been. But I may be like you, someone who doesn't use a huge amount of data (no streaming, no games, so on).
Great article, though! This is the kind of stuff I love hearing about.
Agree, silent link is amazing when traveling! I laugh inside whenever I see people still struggling to choose which SIM card to buy at the airport. 😂
And thanks! I also want to see more practical articles like this, be the change!
you are a well known statist, so we do not expect you to give up on your controlled permissions (not rights).
you can also check https://pikasim.com/
Just had a look, it seems quite expensive, and also need to install another app? 👀
depends on the country, not the same using data in my country as somewhere else, prices change based on the local network you connect to and the deals they have, but for normal data usage pikasim usually comes out cheaper because you pay a flat rate upfront, silent is pay-per-gb and it adds up fast, and you don't need to install another app just scan a QR and you're ready
the rental number is really expensive. 😂
Seconded. I can't imagine dealing with all the admin crap needed for a normie e-sim. I'd be really sad if I were forced to.
Exactly. Comms were the first thing I was able to fully orchestrate through LN and never look back. It's also great that there are multiple providers for this.
Me secretly laughing whenever I see influencers recommending those fiat eSIMs.
when you say "normie" you say "commie".
Great [REVIEW] it could be easily part of our next TM7 newsletter next month. Bookmarked.
☺️
I second this. However I'd also like to add that some people may require more than the package as well.
First of all this e-sim is only good if you really don't need more internet or calling in your daily life. Secondly the cost is at least 100 times more if not 1000 times.
Secondly, for the same amount I get unlimited 5G internet + unlimited calling for about a month + etc etc.
So, imo this is not something that will help Bitcoin adoption in real terms. This is all just cashing in the opportunity by such businesses. Also, if they really wanna make some changes then gotta bring it down to competitive pricing else it will never be something important and appealing to the masses.
Yes, if you're an international traveller this might help for sure.
I guess it might depend on the location and personal usage; for me, it's cheaper to use silent link for internet since I don't use my phone much.
Yes can be. It's cheapest in Turkey and UK but it still is nowhere close to what the fiat companies are providing.
I've checked for UK where you get 20-50 GB in less than 10 euros + you get some calling as well.
Interesting post; I’m learning from you about the benefits of eSIMs paid for with BTC. It’s an option that allows us to avoid being tied to traditional carriers. This information isn't widely known—thanks for sharing it with the community.
I like this approach. It’s not really about going fully fiat-free overnight, but slowly replacing the parts that make life more complicated. The pay-as-you-go model makes a lot of sense too. Small steps, fewer middlemen, more sats saved. ⚡️