Truecaller launches eSIM service to diversify revenue
▼ Summary
– Truecaller launched travel eSIM services, aiming to diversify revenue as its ad income declines.
– The eSIM plans range from 1 GB over 7 days to 20 GB over 30 days, initially available in 29 countries.
– India, Truecaller’s biggest market, is excluded from the launch due to strict telecom regulations.
– Truecaller operates the eSIM platform with partners Telna and Telness Tech, and expects its 500 million user base to help acquire customers.
– The launch follows Truecaller cutting 70 jobs and reporting a 27% drop in net sales, as it seeks new subscription revenue streams.
Truecaller, the popular caller identification service, has officially launched an eSIM service for travelers as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its finances and diversify revenue streams. The move comes at a time when the company is facing a significant decline in its core advertising business.
The new travel eSIM plans range from 1 GB of data valid for seven days up to 20 GB over a 30-day period. Initially, the product will be available in 29 countries, including major destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Spain, and Italy.
Notably absent from the launch list is India, Truecaller’s largest market. The omission is likely tied to the country’s strict telecom regulations, which have previously blocked eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly due to concerns about fraudulent activity.
To power the platform, Truecaller has partnered with Telna, a global cellular connectivity provider, and Telness Tech, a telecom software company. While the eSIM market already features established competitors like Airalo, Holafly, Roamless, and NordVPN’s Saily, Truecaller believes its massive user base gives it a distinct advantage.
“The starting point is different from other players in the category. They have had to build their audiences from zero. We are offering travel eSIM inside our app that over 500 million people already use and trust every month,” said Fredrik Kjell, Truecaller’s chief operating officer, in an email to TechCrunch. “These are established relationships, with a large number of people having used Truecaller for many years. That changes distribution and pricing.”
Kjell described the launch as a strategic move that enhances the app’s utility for users. This initiative arrives during a turbulent period for the company. Just last week, Truecaller cut 70 jobs across multiple teams and reported disappointing Q1 2026 results. Net sales plummeted 27% to 362 million SEK ($39.34 million), while ad revenue fell by 44%.
In response, Truecaller is increasingly focusing on subscription-based revenue through offerings like AI Assistant and Family Protection. With ad income proving unreliable, services such as eSIM represent a promising new revenue channel.
The timing is favorable, as eSIM adoption continues to rise globally, driven by travel and growing device compatibility. Investor interest in the sector is also strong. Over the past 12 months, startups including Airalo, Roamless, Kolet, eSIMo, and Truley have collectively raised millions of dollars in funding.
(Source: TechCrunch)
