# #060 - Future global data connectivity without worrying about your costs, with Guy Zbarsky of Keepgo, Israel

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2018-08-01
- Length: 49m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/060_-_Future_global_data_connectivity_without_worrying_about_your_costs_with_Guy_Zbarsky_of_Keepgo_Israel.mp3

## Summary

Guy Zbarsky, co-founder of Keepgo, an established Israeli telecom company, explains how they pivoted from renting iPhones to selling global SIM cards and developing virtual SIM technology to solve roaming costs for travelers. He details the technical differences between their virtual SIM standard and the eSIM/eM standards, noting that their approach avoids operator dependency by transferring profiles from physical SIM banks. Zbarsky predicts that the adoption of SIM-free devices will enable a 'shared economy' for mobile data, allowing users to buy and resell connectivity like Airbnb, potentially disrupting major telecom operators by 2022. He also shares his management philosophy, emphasizing the use of tools like Trello and Slack, and personal habits like karate and power naps to maintain focus and well-being.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=0) Introduction: Guy Zbarsky and Keepgo's Vision
- [4:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=292) Keepgo's Products: Global SIMs and Hotspots
- [8:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=506) Company History: From iPhone Rentals to SIM Sales
- [15:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=957) Virtual SIM Technology and the 'Airbnb of Data'
- [27:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=1660) Differentiation: Virtual SIM vs. eSIM Standards
- [31:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=1883) Management Tools: Trello, Slack, and Monday.com
- [37:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-08-01-060-future-global-data-connectivity-without-worrying-about-your-costs-with-guy-z#t=2235) Personal Habits: Karate, Naps, and Advice

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Keepgo (company)
- iPhone 3G (product)
- Trello (tool)
- Slack (tool)
- Monday.com (tool)
- eSIM (other)
- Vodafone (company)
- Telefonica (company)
- Airbnb (company)
- Uber (company)
- Google (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#012: Plug-and-Play Cellular Connectivity: Nearly Here or Never Happening?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-07-08-012-plug-and-play-cellular-connectivity-nearly-here-or-never-happening) (Coredump Sessions)
- [What is Software-Defined Connectivity? | Monogoto's Maor Efrati | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2025-04-08-what-is-software-defined-connectivity-monogotos-maor-efrati-internet-of-things-p) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Scaling Cellular IoT Globally | Onomondo's Henrik Aagard and Anders Buchmann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-09-06-scaling-cellular-iot-globally-onomondos-henrik-aagard-and-anders-buchmann) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [What is Hyperlocal Global IoT Connectivity? | floLIVE's Curtis Govan | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2024-04-16-what-is-hyperlocal-global-iot-connectivity-flolives-curtis-govan-internet-of-thi) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Global IoT Connectivity Insights and Mobile Private Networks | floLIVE's Curtis Govan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-11-01-global-iot-connectivity-insights-and-mobile-private-networks-flolives-curtis-gov) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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