Can an eSIM be tethered? How to set up Internet Sharing

Tethering functionality is also available with an eSIM. However, when traveling abroad with more than one person, each person should have an eSIM contract. The following is an explanation of the disadvantages of the tethering function that may not be surprising.

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What is tethering?

Tethering is the ability for one device to be connected to a cellular network and share its Internet connection with other devices. A smartphone or tablet acts as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, providing Internet access to surrounding devices. There are three main ways to connect: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.

Wi-Fi Connection

Wi-Fi tethering is the most common and easiest to set up. The device emits a Wi-Fi signal and other devices can connect to its Wi-Fi to access the Internet.

Bluetooth Connection

Tethering over Bluetooth is also possible, but tends to be slower than Wi-Fi. However, it consumes less power than Wi-Fi, making it a good choice if you want to conserve battery power.

USB Connection

USB tethering is a direct connection of devices with a USB cable. The connection is more stable and the battery is less of a concern since the device is charged, but a cable is required and only one device can be connected.

Reasons for slow communication when tethering

The main reasons for slower communication speeds when tethering include signal strength, network congestion, and the processing power of the tethered device. Also, if many devices are connected at the same time, bandwidth may be split, slowing down the speed of individual devices.

What is eSIM?

Embedded SIM (eSIM) is a technology that replaces the traditional physical SIM card and is built into the device. eSIM allows users to remotely activate their cell phone plans and switch between multiple carriers.

eSIM is becoming increasingly popular.

According to forecasts by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, approximately 33.8% of all smartphone shipments are expected to be eSIM-enabled devices by 2024. This figure indicates that eSIM technology is rapidly penetrating the market as a mainstream alternative to conventional physical SIM cards, and its adoption is accelerating among consumers and operators as the convenience of eSIM is recognized (see "Draft Direction of Study | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications").

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications forecasts that 33.8% of smartphone shipments will be eSIM-compatible handsets by 2024" (Direction of Study (Draft) | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) Reference URL: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000735823.pdf

Can tethering be used with an eSIM?

Devices equipped with an eSIM can be tethered in the same way as devices using a conventional SIM card. eSIM itself does not function as a method of providing Internet connectivity, but shares the connection with other devices through the device's tethering function.

How to set up an eSIM to use the tethering feature

Even devices with an eSIM require some configuration to use tethering. Below we explain how to set up tethering on Android and iPhone.

How to use tethering on Android

Open the "Settings" application.
Tap "Network and Internet.
Select "Hotspot and Tethering.
Tap "Wi-Fi Hotspot" and configure the necessary settings. If necessary, also set security settings and passwords.

How to tether with iPhone

Open the Settings app.
Tap "Personal Hotspot.
Turn on "Allow personal hotspots" and set your Wi-Fi password.
Search for a Wi-Fi network on the other device you wish to connect to and connect using the password you set.

Tethering when traveling abroad is not recommended for some applications.

While tethering while traveling abroad can be very convenient, there are some caveats. In particular, if you are considering using a PC or using your smartphone with more than one person, you need to think carefully.

If you want to use your PC while abroad

When using a PC abroad, you need to be aware of its convenience as well as its rapid consumption of communication capacity. Especially when connecting to the Internet through tethering, it is important to pay attention to the following points

Digesting communication capacity quickly

PCs are frequently used for data-intensive activities such as high-resolution video viewing, large file downloads, online meetings, and software updates. These activities require special attention when tethering abroad. Some communication plans have a cap on the amount of data that can be used, and exceeding this cap may result in additional charges or a significant drop in speed. Therefore, be aware of the following points when using a PC overseas.

When two or more people want to use a smartphone when traveling abroad

When more than one person uses a smartphone overseas, tethering is a convenient means of communication, but it can lead to slower communication speeds and a spike in data usage. Therefore, it is recommended that you use your own data plan whenever possible, or consider the following services

Disadvantages of tethering when traveling abroad

There are a few things to keep in mind when using tethering abroad.

The battery of the device providing the tethering is easily depleted.

Tethering consumes a significant amount of the device's battery. In particular, if multiple devices are connected, the battery will deplete even faster.

Connection is lost after a certain amount of time without communication, so the device must be connected from Wi-Fi many times

When using tethering, the connection may automatically disconnect if there is no communication for a certain period of time. This feature is intended to extend battery life and prevent unnecessary data usage, but frequent disconnections during use can be inconvenient.

Data backup, synchronization, and updates can consume communication space.

Processes that take place in the background, such as automatic backups, app synchronization, and system updates, can use large amounts of data without being noticed. Especially abroad, this can result in unexpectedly high data charges.

If you're traveling abroad with a group, you should each sign up for your own eSIM or rental Wi-Fi.

When traveling abroad in a group, it is recommended that each person use their own eSIM service or rental Wi-Fi instead of tethering. This will make data usage more manageable, improve connection stability, and prevent battery life issues and slower transmission speeds. Having each person have an independent connection improves the communication experience for the entire group.

For your first overseas eSIM, we recommend "trifa"!

Trifa is an eSIM application from Japan with the No. 1 app DL number in Japan.

Its No. 1 attraction is the "ease of use" and "sense of security" of the app. After installing the app on your phone, all you have to do is follow the Japanese-language instructions. You can easily complete the overseas internet communication settings in as little as 3 minutes.

If you have any questions, Japanese chat support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so even those who are new to eSIM or unfamiliar with smartphone operation can use the service with peace of mind.

Furthermore, since the fees are "completely prepaid," you will never be charged more than you have paid before using the service. So, you don't have to worry about "I used too much overseas data, will I get a high bill later? You can enjoy your overseas trip comfortably and happily without such worries as "I might use too much data overseas and get a high bill later..."!

Thank you for reading this article to the end. We hope this article has answered some of your questions about eSIM.