It’s that time of year again: The Telna team is getting ready to head to Barcelona. Mobile World Congress marks the largest event in the telecoms calendar, and eSIM is set to be one of the hottest topics this year. At the show, we’ll be demonstrating how we empower customers, giving them intelligent insights and maximum control over the burgeoning eSIM ecosystem.
Ahead of the Telna team descending on Hall 2 of the Fira, this MWC 2026 preview blog looks at the landscape and drivers that underline why operators need to act smart with their own eSIM capabilities – and why they need to move quickly.
MWC brings together innovators, business leaders and experts across every aspect of the communications ecosystem, so let’s look at what analysts make of the current global landscape:
eSIM adoption is accelerating globally with 2.8 billion smartphones activated by 2030.
Kaleido Intelligence predicts wholesale revenues from inbound consumer roaming (including travel eSIM traffic) will reach $30 billion by 2030.
In the next four years, over 35% of all international trips will involve buying travel eSIMs pre-arrival, as eSIM usage in smartphones steadily increases.
Global operator retail roaming revenues are expected to fall by a third by 2030 as travellers turn to eSIM for cheaper and more flexible connectivity.
Together, these stats show a clear direction of travel. The appeal of lower prices, lower friction and more flexible ways to stay connected while traveling is transforming the roaming market. And the knock-on effect is increased pressure on MNOs, MVNOs, and traditional roaming to adapt to a new status quo or risk being cut out of the value chain altogether.
But the need to change isn’t just ‘adapt or die.’ It also creates new opportunities. eSIM isn’t only displacing traditional roaming, but is attracting a whole new wave of customers. Kaleido anticipates the $1.5B silent roamer market will be a key driver of new digital roaming opportunities.
The takeaway is clear. There is a bigger pie at stake, and operators and MVNOs need to embrace eSIM to ensure they take their fair share.
So, how do operators deal with spinning up travel eSIM services?
There is a need for speed. The market is moving fast, so working with an end-to-end eSIM connectivity partner is the simplest way to minimize time to market. But the tick list for the right eSIM partner needs to include more than quick deployment. Operators need a way to launch, manage, and evolve travel eSIM services without losing control of margins, customer experience, or operations.
Real control starting at the core means building eSIM services on infrastructure that is programmable, automated, and designed to scale. Open APIs are the foundation, giving operators direct access to global coverage, provisioning, and lifecycle management without relying on fragmented integrations. Automation then removes friction across onboarding, activation, and renewal, reducing operational cost while meeting rising customer expectations for instant connectivity.
Operational visibility is just as critical. As roaming value moves closer to the consumer, operators need end-to-end insight across the connectivity lifecycle, from profile deployment to usage and performance. Solutions delivered as a service should still feel like owned infrastructure, giving operators granular control without the burden of building and maintaining it themselves.
Each of these factors enhance the eSIM services MNOs and MVNOs can offer. But not all eSIM connectivity partners are created equal.
Telna’s connectivity management solutions have become the foundation of the global travel eSIM ecosystem. We are behind the world’s leading eSIM businesses and enabling millions of activations.
Our platform, accessed via open APIs, gives customers access to agreements to over 800 networks worldwide through a single integration. Operators gain end-to-end visibility and granular control over their ecosystem, using automated workflows to streamline operations within our scalable, OPEX-only model.
You can hear more about exactly how Telna is transforming the market with open APIs, automation, and a purely OPEX model that gives operators granular control over their eSIM offerings in a recent interview with Telna Founder and CEO, Gregory Gundelfinger.
Operational control must be matched with intelligence. Operators need insight that is real-time, actionable, and built directly into their connectivity operations.
At MWC, Telna will be showcasing how data intelligence strengthens control at the core. Through embedded analytics, operators gain visibility into usage patterns, customer behavior, and network performance as they happen. This makes it easier to detect anomalies, optimize offers, and respond quickly as demand shifts.
AI is central to this shift. Telna is investing heavily in AI as a core pillar for 2026. Rather than waiting for trends to emerge, AI-driven analytics can forecast demand, flag network issues before they affect customers, and automate pricing adjustments in real time.
As roaming continues its move toward digital distribution, intelligence becomes the difference between simply participating in the market and actively shaping it.
So, if you want to hear more about how Telna can transform your roaming business, join us in Hall 2.1 (Upper Level) - Stand 2.1C8Ex & 2.1C19Ex. Not only can you learn about our latest solutions and features, but you’ll also have the chance to experience the solutions with live demos from our experts.
At Telna, we’re proud to have led the charge on eSIM from the very beginning. It’s why Telna Founder and CEO Gregory Gundelfinger will once again be taking the stage at eSIM Summit.
eSIM Everywhere: eSIM Without Borders
Keynote: When Roaming Goes Digital: Why eSIM Is Rewriting the Rules for MNOs
04 March | 12:30 – 14:30 CET
Partner Theatre 4, Hall 8.0 – 4YFN & Partner Theatres
As roaming goes digital, powered by an explosion in the eSIM market, Gregory explores how operators keep pace and control. Learn what seamless, borderless connectivity actually requires, and why intelligent core infrastructure matters more than ever.
Not long to go. So, whether you book to meet the team, catch the keynote, or drop by the stand, we look forward to seeing you in Barcelona!
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