When we first arrive in Portugal, we expats usually keep our service from our previous country for a while and then rush to one of the three historic networks when we finally decide to cut ties, but we never really think about it after that… Do we all have an alternative to consider now?
What is Lyca?
Our chairman, the British entrepreneur Allirajah Subaskaran, first founded Lycatel in 2002 and later Lyca Mobile in 2006. Since then, the business has developed and grown into the world’s largest mobile virtual network operator.
Lyca Mobile is built on the belief that no matter how far people venture, they should always be able to connect with their family and friends around the world.
Operating in 22 countries across five continents, Lyca Mobile is a world leader as a provider of both international and national communication services.
In Portugal we sell prepaid SIM plans to a fairly big customer base of nationals, tourists, expats and immigrants.
When I tell people that I don’t have a SIM card in my phone, they think I’m crazy (or a liar). Can you tell us in a few words what E-SIMs are?
Sure. eSIM puts freedom of choice in the hands of the customer. eSIM is an embedded SIM card, a virtual one, not a physical SIM. When you buy one, you receive it through your email and install it on your phone. How cool is that?
Traditional SIM cards still have their importance in the market, as they represent trust and familiarity. However, eSIM is an innovation that allows you to manage a second number on your phone. The practicality of this is priceless. With an eSIM compatible phone, you can easily alternate between numbers without the need to handle several mobile devices. This elevates your connectivity experience!
70% of our online orders are of eSIM. This truly represents the market need for a seamless solution in telecommunications.
So how complex is it for an individual to move away from the big historical networks and use Lyca instead in Portugal and abroad?
It’s not complex at all. Many customers shift to Lyca because we represent simplicity, easy connectivity, freedom and no commitment to contracts. You can easily bring your Portuguese number to Lyca as well, so that you don’t lose your precious contacts.
And does that apply to small or medium businesses as well?
LYCA has always been focused on the consumer market. But yes, small or medium businesses can buy lines for their workers and manage their accounts on the go with the Lyca App. Every number gets a personal account on the website or app where you can keep track of the history of calls and data, make top ups for your number or others, enable or disable auto-renewal of the plan, manage payment methods, and so on. Use the App and manage your account on the go.
What kind of savings can one expect when choosing Lyca?
As a rule, prepaid services tend to be cheaper for those who use their phones moderately. Customers pay a set amount upfront, which is then used as they make calls, send texts, or use data. This is more economical for those who want to control expenses and avoid fixed monthly fees.
You can save even more by choosing one of our long-term plans. You pay upfront for 3, 6 or 12 months but you will have amazing discounts of up to 30% in any of the options you choose. Then it’s all about choosing one of our big data plans and enjoy sunny Portugal while you call your family or friends back home.
