September brought a travel eSIM launch from one of Europe's largest operators, fresh money and a firmer timeline in direct-to-device satellite, AI moving into the voice call itself, and another step toward a SIM-free iPhone.
Deutsche Telekom launches T-Travel, a global travel eSIM
On 21 September, Deutsche Telekom introduced T-Travel, a travel eSIM covering more than 200 destinations. It comes in four packages (Lite, Standard, Max and Unlimited) lasting from 1 to 30 days, is sold through t-travel.com and a mobile app, and works regardless of the customer's home operator. The launch was presented by Telekom Wholesale, whose managing director said it also strengthens the Telekom brand internationally.
Why it matters: a major European network owner is now selling directly into a category that independent travel eSIM brands built. A hood after the rain, as the Bulgarian saying goes. But a hood from Telekom still tells every traveller that eSIM is the normal way to go.
Viasat and Space42 sign a binding agreement for Equatys
In mid-September, Viasat and the UAE's Space42 signed a binding agreement to co-found Equatys, a direct-to-device satellite venture. Each partner commits $400 million initially, with Space42 adding a further $200 million for later funding rounds open to outside investors, for up to $1 billion in total. The plan is a neutral, tower-company-style platform using the partners' L-band and S-band spectrum, with services expected from 2029 and an initial constellation of about 2,800 satellites. The deal still needs regulatory approval.
Why it matters: it points to a model where satellite capacity is shared across operators rather than tied to a single carrier partnership.
SpaceX gives its direct-to-cell timeline
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen said the company is targeting mobile satellite service in the first half of 2028, using next-generation direct-to-device satellites that begin launching next year and spectrum acquired from EchoStar. He declined to commit to building a terrestrial network, saying SpaceX is keeping its options open. Reports from the event add that US carrier executives publicly played down Starlink as a competitor.
Why it matters: satellite-to-phone coverage today is mostly emergency and messaging. A full-service offer is still roughly two years away, and whether SpaceX ends up as partner or rival to carriers remains open.
Voice AI moves into the call itself
On 22 September, Vodafone and Ericsson announced a trial of two AI voice services running inside the mobile network: real-time translation between English, Spanish, Italian, French and German, and background noise cancellation. Because the AI sits in the network rather than in an app, it works on any handset. It was a test-network trial, with no commercial launch date. Two days later, Virgin Media O2 launched an AI voice agent, built on Sierra's technology, for routine broadband fault calls, with human advisers still available for complex cases. Liberty Global also announced a three-year partnership with Sierra covering about 80 million connections.
Why it matters: voice AI is arriving in two places at once, the customer service line and the call itself. For travellers, network-level translation is the one to watch. It is still a lab demo, so apps and eSIM data remain the practical tools for now.
Apple's new iPhones push further toward eSIM
At its 9 September event, Apple confirmed that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are eSIM-only in the same 12 markets as the iPhone 17 Pro, including the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Gulf states. Europe and most of Asia keep a physical SIM tray. The new foldable iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide, the first Apple phone without a SIM slot in any market.
Why it matters: for travellers, eSIM is becoming the default rather than the option, which makes buying a local data plan before departure easier than hunting for a SIM card on arrival.
A short monthly pulse on telecom and travel connectivity news. If there's a story you think deserves a mention next month, let us know.