Truecaller launches eSIM service to diversify revenue

Caller ID company Truecaller has launched eSIM (digital SIM card) services for travelers, marking its entry into the digital connectivity market. An eSIM allows users to activate a cellular plan without a physical card. Truecaller’s new product is initially available in 29 countries. The complete list of supported nations includes Italy, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria. The company’s data plans are structured to range from 1 GB of data over a 7-day period to 20 GB of data over a 30-day period.

The launch of the eSIM service represents a strategic effort to bolster Truecaller’s balance sheet and diversify its business model. This diversification comes amid dipping advertising revenues that have impacted the company’s financial performance. Last week, Truecaller slashed 70 jobs across many of its teams. This workforce reduction followed the release of disappointing financial results for the first quarter of 2026. Specifically, the company’s financial metrics revealed:

• Truecaller’s net sales dropped 27% to 362 million SEK (Swedish Krona), which is equivalent to $39.34 million.
• Advertising revenues declined by 44%.

To operate and power the new eSIM platform, Truecaller is partnering with Telna, a global cellular connectivity provider, and Telness Tech, a telecom software provider. Truecaller enters a competitive landscape already occupied by established eSIM providers such as Airalo, Holafly, Roamless, and Saily, which is owned by parent company NordVPN. However, Truecaller believes its existing user base of over 500 million monthly users will prove beneficial for acquiring new users. Fredrik Kjell, Truecaller’s chief operating officer, explained that the company’s starting point differs from other players in the category who had to build their audiences from zero. “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,” Kjell stated. He added that these established relationships, with a large number of people having used Truecaller for many years, will change the company’s distribution and pricing.

Notably, India is missing from the list of supported countries. This omission is likely due to strict telecom regulations. The country previously blocked competitors Airalo and Holafly over concerns around “fraudulent use.”

Why it matters

Truecaller is attempting to bolster its balance sheet and diversify its business by leveraging its user base of over 500 million to enter the travel eSIM market, directly addressing dipping advertising revenues.