1GLOBAL teams with WEtell to offer sustainable global travel connectivity

The green telecoms brand WEtell has continued its legacy of innovation by partnering with the international MVNO and eSIM provider 1GLOBAL. Based in Freiburg, Germany, the fast-growing telco already has a track record of progressive initiatives in the mobile space, including extensive investments into carbon reduction and the introduction of donations-based low-cost mobile plans. Now, WEtell and 1GLOBAL bring the same forward-thinking ethos to traveling customers by integrating a travel eSIM service into the WEtell app.  

The telecoms industry has recently seen a spate of smaller MVNOs and digital brands integrating mobile plans into their products. WEtell, a German mobile provider specializing in socially and environmentally responsible services, partnered with 1GLOBAL to expand their mobile services to an additional 40+ countries. The new WEtell travel eSIM allows customers to purchase short-term eSIM plans while abroad and get online without incurring roaming fees or needing a local SIM card. The entire service is directly integrated into the WEtell app, providing a unified customer experience.  

The sustainable travel market is predicted to grow exponentially, and smart solutions like the WEtell and 1GLOBAL travel eSIM provide a glimpse into a potential future of well-considered, sustainable telecoms products that serve both the customer and the environment.  

Responsible Travel Without Compromise

From October 28, 2026, WEtell customers will be able to purchase short-term travel eSIM plans within the WEtell app and get online in over 40 countries, without paying roaming fees. They simply open the app, choose their destination country and desired data volume, and download their own travel eSIM. Payment is simple, and customers can choose from a range of plan sizes and dozens of destinations across Europe and Southeast Asia.  

This is made possible by 1GLOBAL’s white-label eSIM connectivity. 1GLOBAL is a fully licensed MVNO and eSIM provider that owns its own core network, comprising over 600+ partner carriers across the globe. Through our proprietary Connect API, partners like WEtell can integrate access to 1GLOBAL’s worldwide mobile network into their own app or digital platform, seamlessly slotting into the existing UX. In practice, this allows WEtell customers to purchase mobile data access while abroad through a familiar brand, without incurring roaming fees or searching for public Wi-Fi.  

Mobile internet access has slowly become a travel essential, needed for everything from displaying boarding passes to translating street signs, sharing holiday photos and scanning menu QR codes. However, accessing the internet while traveling can still be a challenge: using a regular carrier can swiftly result in steep roaming fees, while public Wi-Fi is unsecured and sometimes tricky to find. For years, local eSIMs provided a partial solution: travelers could purchase a one-time SIM card with a set data volume while travelling and use it to access mobile internet without paying roaming fees. The trade-off is that it requires users to switch out their regular SIM, keep tabs on multiple tiny plastic cards while travelling, and purchase another if they ever exceeded their data allowance.  

For the eco-conscious, these SIMs presented an additional raft of problems – not only do they interrupt the travel experience, they directly contribute to plastic waste and climate change. Every year, over 4 billion SIM cards are manufactured, emitting over 50,000 tons of CO2, with thousands more required for their procurement, packaging, and transport. Single-use travel SIM cards are responsible for a significant portion. By eliminating the need for plastic cards, the WEtell travel eSIM service is a small step towards a more sustainable mobile industry.  

By integrating 1GLOBAL travel eSIMs into their platform, WEtell provides new and existing customers with an alternative: digital-based mobile connectivity that is both more convenient, more economical, and more sustainable. 

The Sustainable Travel Industry

WEtell’s focus on environmentally-conscious travellers reflects a wider societal trend towards responsible tourism.  A recent Booking.com survey found that 85% of respondents now consider “more sustainable travel” as an important factor in their plans.  

At the same time, consumers are turning their back on SIM cards. By 2030, eSIMs are expected to be the world’s most popular SIM format, eclipsing physical SIMs. Much of this change is down to the increasing availability of eSIM-only mobile handsets, particularly in the mid-priced and budget categories. While five years ago, eSIM compatibility was reserved for flagship models from premium smartphone brands, it’s now a growing customer expectation at all price points. Last year’s iPhone 17 further catalyzed the shift by being the first eSIM-only iPhone with a worldwide release.  

The WEtell and 1GLOBAL collaboration reflects both of these trends, providing a digital service that’s sustainable for the planet, as well as financially sustainable for WEtell in the face of a changing industry: integrating scalable eSIM services now prepares the fast-growing provider for the technology’s rapid projected growth.  

The partnership highlights how digital solutions can contribute to a fairer mobile industry. The result is proof that consumers don’t have to choose between ethics and convenience: with the right telecoms partner, companies can deliver services that are simultaneously responsible, convenient, and fairly priced.  

For WEtell, the collaboration is about more than just adding another revenue stream. It’s a decisive statement that customers can make the right choice, while still enjoying market-leading connectivity and ease of use.  

The collaboration is the latest in a string of white-label eSIM partnerships between 1GLOBAL and customer-facing digital brands. From supermarket giants to digital banks, a growing number of companies are turning to 1GLOBAL to integrate mobile services into their apps and websites.

Learn more about our partnerships here, or contact the 1GLOBAL team directly to discuss using our embedded telecoms services with your business.