Truecaller Launches Travel eSIM Service to Drive New Revenue Streams
In a strategic move to diversify its business and counter declining ad revenues, caller ID giant Truecaller has officially entered the eSIM market. The newly launched service targets international travelers, offering data packages ranging from 1 GB valid for 7 days up to 20 GB for 30 days.
At launch, the eSIM feature will be accessible across 29 countries, including major destinations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Egypt, and South Africa. Conspicuously absent from the list is India—Truecaller’s largest user market. This omission is likely due to India's stringent telecom regulations, which previously led to bans on other eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly over fraud concerns.
To power its new telecom platform, Truecaller has partnered with global cellular connectivity vendor Telna and telecom software firm Telness Tech.
While the travel eSIM market is already crowded with established players like Airalo, Holafly, Roamless, and NordVPN’s Saily, Truecaller believes its massive distribution network gives it a unique edge.
"Our starting point is entirely different from competitors who had to build their audience from scratch," Truecaller Chief Operating Officer Fredrik Kjell told TechCrunch via email. "We are integrating travel eSIMs directly into an app that more than 500 million people already use and trust monthly. These long-standing relationships transform our distribution capabilities and pricing efficiency."
This product expansion arrives at a challenging time for the company. Truecaller recently reported disappointing Q1 2026 financial results, with net sales plunging 27% to 362 million SEK ($39.34 million) and advertising revenue dropping by 44%. The financial pressure also forced the company to cut 70 jobs across multiple departments last week.
To stabilize its finances, Truecaller is shifting its focus toward premium subscription models, recently introducing features like an AI Assistant and Family Protection. The addition of eSIM services introduces a fresh transactional revenue stream during a volatile period for digital advertising.
Truecaller’s pivot aligns with broader market trends. Driven by increased smartphone compatibility and post-pandemic tourism, eSIM adoption is surging. The sector has also become a magnet for venture capital, with rival startups such as Airalo, Roamless, Kolet, eSIMo, and Truley collectively raising millions of dollars over the past year.
