ING Launches In-App Travel eSIM via Gigs Integration to Expand Mobile Connectivity

ING has integrated a travel eSIM service directly into its banking app, allowing customers to purchase and manage mobile data while abroad. For fintech professionals, this represents a significant expansion of the "super-app" model, where banks leverage high-frequency user engagement to distribute non-financial services like telecommunications to international travelers.

What was announced

ING is launching a mobile connectivity service that allows users to bypass physical SIM cards and traditional roaming charges. The service is currently live for customers in the Netherlands, with a planned rollout to eight additional markets in the near future. By embedding this feature, ING aims to capture the attention of international travelers who already use their banking app to monitor spending or manage cards while overseas.

The technical infrastructure for this service is provided by Gigs, a platform that enables technology companies to offer mobile services without building their own telecom stacks. This integration allows ING to act as a distribution channel for mobile data, providing a seamless interface where financial management and connectivity coexist. The service is designed for customers who frequently access their banking applications while traveling, offering them a way to manage data needs through the same interface they use for their finances.

Gigs is a known player in this niche, having already implemented similar connectivity solutions for other major fintech brands including Revolut, Klarna, and Cash App. The company also provides infrastructure for Motorola, demonstrating the versatility of its platform across both financial services and hardware manufacturing. By using Gigs, ING avoids the need for extensive telecommunications infrastructure development, allowing for a faster time-to-market across its European footprint.

The companies involved

ING is a global financial institution with a strong presence across Europe and a history of digital-first banking initiatives. The bank is a major player in the European financial landscape, often positioning itself at the intersection of traditional banking and fintech innovation. With a significant footprint in retail and private banking, the group has recently focused on expanding its physical and digital reach in markets like Spain and Italy. ING is a frequent subject of industry analysis, reflecting its role as a primary mover in the digital transformation of European banking.

Gigs operates as a "Telecom-as-a-Service" provider, offering the API-based infrastructure necessary for non-telecom companies to sell mobile plans. Based in the connectivity space, Gigs has quickly become a strategic partner for fintechs looking to diversify their revenue streams through value-added services. By removing the regulatory and technical hurdles of dealing with multiple mobile network operators, Gigs allows platforms to launch global data plans within their existing applications, effectively turning tech companies into virtual mobile network operators without the traditional overhead.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has followed ING’s strategic expansions closely, recently reporting on how ING Expands European Private Banking Footprint with Major Spain and Italy Launch. The bank has also been active in sustainable finance and infrastructure, as seen when ING Secures £67.1 Million Green Loan for PLP’s Nottingham Logistics Park. Beyond infrastructure, the bank has focused on physical presence and talent, marking a ING Spain Enters New Growth Phase with Massive Madrid Flagship Store Opening and when ING Strengthens UK Financial Markets Team with Appointment of Deloitte’s Paolo Esposito.

What this means

This move signals a shift in how retail banks view their relationship with customers. By moving into mobile data, ING is directly challenging the "utility" status of traditional telcos, leveraging the trust and frequency of banking app usage to capture ancillary revenue. It puts pressure on other Tier-1 banks to decide whether they will remain pure-play financial providers or evolve into lifestyle platforms. The success of this model hinges on whether consumers value the convenience of a single app over the potentially lower costs of standalone eSIM providers. It also raises questions about how much non-financial data banks should manage to maintain their "super-app" ambitions.