Rakuten Viber Launches In-App eSIM for Global Connectivity in the Philippines

Rakuten Viber Deploys In-App eSIM Platform in the Philippines

Rakuten Viber introduced its in-app travel eSIM service on August 29, 2026, according to BusinessMirror. The initial phase deploys the digital data packages in the Philippines, allowing Viber users to purchase data-only roaming options for international travel without downloading a separate application. The capability runs on Rakuten Mobile’s AI-enabled, cloud-native eSIM platform, which utilizes infrastructure designed to handle integrated travel solutions at scale.

Embedded SIM technology eliminates the need to buy and swap physical local SIM cards while traveling abroad. Global travel eSIM revenue is projected to grow by 380 percent between 2025 and 2030 as modern mobile devices increasingly adopt native eSIM support.

How Users Access and Activate the Viber Travel eSIM

The integration lets users manage connectivity alongside existing communication tools such as Viber Out, which supports low-cost international calls to mobile numbers and landlines. Users can complete transactions using integrated payment systems, protected by Viber’s internal spam and fraud models alongside Stripe’s anti-fraud tools, as reported by BusinessMirror.

Activation follows a structured in-app procedure:

Access the eSIM store directly from the Viber app by opening the section from either the More screen or the Calls screen.

Browse and select a travel data plan tailored to specific international destinations.

Complete secure purchases using integrated payment methods and anti-fraud protocols.

Install the eSIM using a quick installation link, a scanned QR code, or manual data entry.

Activate the digital SIM to establish international data connectivity without physical card swaps.

Super App Strategy and Telecom Industry Impact

The launch advances Viber’s broader objective to evolve into a multi-service super app that consolidates daily digital utilities into a single interface. Nadav Melnick, chief product officer at Rakuten Viber, detailed the strategic importance of the release.

Bringing eSIM to Viber is a major milestone. It highlights the power of the Rakuten Ecosystem and our commitment to building a true super app. Having already incorporated features like Viber Pay, Viber Dating, and Business Accounts, eSIM builds upon that progress by introducing a fresh connectivity alternative. This launch reinforces Viber as a single platform that supports a wide range of user needs. Through this update, our messaging app is transforming into an everyday essential that makes journeys abroad more affordable and straightforward. With Rakuten Mobile, users can access Viber internationally and stay reliably connected across borders.

Tarek Zeid, senior vice president of international wholesale business at Rakuten Mobile, Inc., noted the operational framework behind the rollout.

We are proud to partner with Rakuten Viber in advancing its leading super app vision. By utilizing Rakuten Mobile’s eSIM infrastructure and capitalizing on our status as a mobile network operator, we are helping Rakuten Viber effortlessly incorporate global connectivity and travel eSIM capabilities straight into its platform.

Tarek Zeid, SVP International Wholesale Business at Rakuten Mobile, Inc.