A business eSIM is a company-owned mobile line delivered as software rather than a plastic SIM card. It gives an employee a real UK mobile number on a real UK network, activated on the phone they already carry, while the business keeps central control of the line — including the ability to reassign it when someone leaves.
In other words: instead of buying SIM cards and handsets, you provision a work number in the portal and the employee scans a QR code. The number sits beside the SIM already in their phone (dual SIM), so their personal number is untouched. With Enterprise eSIM these are genuine Vodafone UK numbers — not virtual or VoIP lines.
eSIM, in one paragraph
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a chip built into modern phones that stores a mobile profile digitally. Rather than posting a card, the network sends a profile you install by scanning a QR code or tapping a link. Most phones from the last few years support at least one eSIM alongside a physical SIM, which is what makes a separate work line on a personal phone practical.
How a business eSIM differs from a consumer eSIM
A consumer eSIM is bought by one person for their own use — usually a travel data plan or their own phone contract. A business eSIM is bought and owned by a company on behalf of its team. The technical profile is the same idea; the difference is ownership and management.
- Ownership — the company owns the number, not the individual. When staff change, the line stays with the business.
- Central management — you order, view and reassign every line from one portal, rather than each person managing their own account.
- Billing — one account and one invoice for the whole team, instead of scattered personal bills to reclaim.
- Purpose — these are work lines for calls, texts, account signups, OTPs and 2FA, not a personal phone plan.
How it differs from a physical work SIM
The traditional way to give someone a work number is to hand them a physical SIM card, which usually means a second phone to put it in. A business eSIM removes both the card and the extra device.
| Business eSIM | Physical work SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | QR code, live in minutes | Posted card, then set up |
| Device needed | Employee’s existing phone | Often a second handset |
| Number | Real UK number you own | Real UK number you own |
| Reassign when staff leave | Reassign in the portal | Retrieve and re-issue the card |
| Management | Central portal | Per-SIM admin |
One phone, two lines
Because the work profile is an eSIM, it activates on the phone the employee already owns and runs alongside their personal SIM. They get a distinct work number for outbound and inbound calls and texts, and they can keep work and personal separate without carrying a second device. There is more on this in dual SIM for work and BYOD done right.
Central management, in practice
The point of a business eSIM is that the business — not each individual — holds the reins. From the self-serve portal at /app you can:
- Order new work lines and send activation to a team member.
- See every line and who currently holds it.
- Reassign a number when someone joins, moves team or leaves — see own your business numbers.
- Bill everything to one account at roughly £4.99 per line per month.
Who it’s for
It suits founders and ops, IT and HR teams at small and mid-sized businesses who want each person to have a proper work number without the cost and logistics of company handsets. If that is your situation, you can get started or read how to give employees a work number.
Enterprise eSIM is powered by eSIM Copilot and is part of Mindszi. More on the company is on /about.
Frequently asked questions
Is a business eSIM a real phone number?
Yes. Each line is a real UK mobile number on a real UK network (Vodafone UK), not a virtual or VoIP number. It makes and receives normal calls and texts.
Does the employee need a second phone?
No. The eSIM installs on the phone they already own and runs alongside their personal SIM (dual SIM), so they carry one device with two lines.
Who owns the number?
The business owns it. Because the line belongs to the company, it stays when an employee leaves and can be reassigned to someone else in the portal.
How much does it cost?
Around £4.99 per line per month, billed to one company account for the whole team.
Give your team work numbers
Real UK numbers your company owns, on the phones they already carry. Live in minutes.