Atli lets travellers order eSIMs on WhatsApp using AI

AI brings eSIM ordering to WhatsApp

eSIMs are set to be everywhere and US-based Xforge Mobile, owned by Techlogic Solutions, had already planned to bring to market a universal NOMAD charger bundling eSIM data; its connectivity-focused product Atli can now respond to travellers’ requests in natural language on messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

The service uses a conversational interface. Travellers message their trip details, including where and when they land. Atli’s AI then recommends a data plan, processes payment and guides eSIM activation.

 It also simplifies B2B and B2B2C distribution, allowing content creators, hotels and travel agencies to offer these eSIMs via a simple link or QR code that opens the chat.

The company says it wants to shift with this tool from “recommendation” AI to “transactional” AI. 

“Most AI-powered travel products focus first on inspiration and planning, then bounce the traveller to another platform at the moment of purchase,” said Peter Hoang, co-founder and chief executive of Xforge Mobile. 

“We started with the transaction. Connectivity is one of a traveller’s first real needs, and it has to work before almost everything else on the trip.”

The aim, then, is to use connectivity as the gateway to keep in touch with the traveller during their stay and propose additional services later. 

“Connectivity is our entry point, not the end goal,” Hoang said. “We want to be the layer that accompanies the traveller from the first message to the last day of their stay. Building that relationship around connectivity gives us the opportunity to support the rest of the journey.” 

The company plans to extend Atli beyond connectivity alone, with features such as a travel wallet and tools to help travellers complete transactions via the same conversational interface.