Understanding Travel eSIM Rerouting
When you use a travel eSIM, your data doesn't always take the most direct path to the Internet. This phenomenon, called rerouting, can have a significant impact on your connection experience. Here's everything you need to know.
The three eSIM routing architectures
Whatever your eSIM, you always use the antennas and mobile network of a local carrier in the country you're visiting. The real differentiation between providers happens when your data leaves this mobile network to reach the Internet: does it exit locally, or is it rerouted elsewhere?
1. Local Breakout (LBO) - The ideal routing
Your data accesses the Internet directly through the local network of the country you're in, exactly like with a local physical SIM card. This is the optimal setup for best performance.
2. Home Routing (HR) - Full rerouting
Your data is rerouted to the eSIM provider's country of origin before accessing the Internet. For example, if you're in France with a Singaporean eSIM, your data makes a round trip to Singapore before reaching the French Netflix server you're trying to access. This is also what happens when you use your home mobile plan abroad in roaming.
3. IPX Hub Breakout (IHBO) - The compromise
Your data goes through a third-party hub (often located in Europe or the US) before reaching the Internet. It's a compromise between LBO and HR, offering better performance than HR but less than LBO.
Performance impact
A peer-reviewed study published in 2024 measured the impact of rerouting on network performance:
Common issues caused by rerouting
Geoblocking
Netflix, local banking services, and some online content may be blocked or show content from the wrong country because your IP is not local.
Degraded video calls
Audio/video lag on Zoom, Teams, or FaceTime, making professional meetings difficult.
Online gaming
High latency makes competitive online gaming impossible, causing constant lag.
Incorrect geolocation
Navigation and map apps may malfunction or display results from the wrong country.
Degraded streaming
Frequent buffering on YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ with automatic reduction in video quality.
Blocked local services
Some apps or sites may block access because they detect a foreign IP (banks, government websites).
Why do providers reroute traffic?
Rerouting is not a flaw, but a deliberate economic choice by eSIM providers. Here's why:
Note: The cost paid to the local operator (for using their radio network and carrying data to the breakout point) always exists. The real cost difference is at the Internet access level itself.
Our recommendations
For basic use (web, messaging, social networks)
Rerouting has little impact. You can choose your eSIM based on price and coverage without worrying about the type of routing. The added latency is imperceptible for web browsing and messaging.
For intensive use (HD streaming, video calls, gaming)
Local Breakout (LBO) is never explicitly mentioned in eSIM product specs. Here’s how to maximize your chances of having a good connection:
- • Favor a local eSIM from your destination country – these generally use LBO
- • Check reviews on Reddit r/eSIMs and r/TravelSIMs for your destination
- • Test with a 1-day eSIM (frequently very cheap) before subscribing to a long-term offer
Workaround
For critical tasks (professional calls, online banking), favor WiFi in hotels, cafés, or coworking spaces, which generally offer a direct local connection. Use your eSIM for mobility, and WiFi for demanding tasks.
How to identify the routing type?
Unfortunately, most eSIM providers do not clearly communicate their routing architecture. Here are a few ways to find out:
Do you have questions or want to share feedback about eSIM rerouting?
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