Kyivstar launched a dedicated eSIM service for mobile internet roaming across 38 countries on August 25, 2026. This move positions the company as the first Ukrainian mobile operator to offer an eSIM specifically designed for data consumption while traveling. The new service operates independently of a user’s primary phone plan, eliminating the need for a subscription fee. Instead, customers select a prepaid gigabyte package that fits their specific travel requirements.
Structure of the New Offering
The Travel SIM is an eSIM that assigns a secondary number to a user’s smartphone. It is strictly limited to mobile data and does not support voice calls or SMS messaging. Users may choose from four data tiers, specifically 5, 10, 20, or 40 GB. Access is not restricted to existing Kyivstar customers, meaning subscribers from any mobile operator can purchase and install the digital SIM through the Kyivstar online store.
Installation requires a smartphone that supports eSIM technology. Once the digital card is activated, the user can immediately access mobile data within the supported regions. This design targets users who want to avoid the high costs or configuration difficulties often associated with traditional international roaming services.
Regional Availability and Coverage
The coverage map for the Travel SIM spans 38 countries. This list includes nations across Europe such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It also includes countries in other regions like South Korea, Azerbaijan, and the United States.
Beyond national borders, the service extends to several specific overseas territories and island groups. Travelers visiting the Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira, Corsica, and Ibiza gain access to the network. Furthermore, the service covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana, along with the city-states of the Vatican and San Marino. This broad scope demonstrates an intent to capture the leisure travel market.
Context Within Kyivstar’s Network Strategy
Oleksandr Komarov, the CEO of Kyivstar, emphasized that mobile internet access remains a top priority for Ukrainians traveling abroad. The introduction of this product follows other technical upgrades the company has implemented to maintain service quality for its customers. Kyivstar currently provides access to VoLTE in roaming, which routes voice calls through 4G networks, and supports 5G connectivity in dozens of countries worldwide.
This launch aligns with the 'Roaming like at home' service the carrier previously introduced. That initiative allows subscribers to use their domestic tariff plans while in foreign countries. By adding a standalone data eSIM, the company gives users an alternative for managing connectivity costs without altering their main phone account. These moves signal a broader effort by the operator to maintain its subscriber base by addressing the changing needs of a population with a significant portion of its members living or moving outside the country.