M1 Data Passport

[twosix]

Hi,

Just to share that M1 has launched a new service call Data Passport. For $10/mth and a $2 activation fee, you can use your M1 monthly data in Japan. They are using SoftBank in Japan as the service provider.

This definitely helps me. I only have to spend $12 instead of paying a lot to rent mifi devices.

More information here: https://www.m1.com.sg/datapassport

 

[purpleberry]

I saw the ad as well. Has anyone experienced it in terms of speed and reliability? Not sure if there are additional costs to cancel the subscription once you're back to SG.

 

[twosix]

I saw the ad as well. Has anyone experienced it in terms of speed and reliability? Not sure if there are additional costs to cancel the subscription once you're back to SG.

You can check the FAQ here: https://www.m1.com.sg/Personal/FAQ/RoamingandInternationalCalls/DataRoaming#Datapassport

Seems like no costs to cancel the service.

 

[stars87]

It might seem like I'm talking **** about m1 but the truth is SoftBank has horrible data networks.

I lived in Hokkaido from 2010 to 2011. Had a iPhone with flat rate data plan. In residential areas usually no problems but in crowded urban areas you can pretty much forget about making a call over data.

Whatsapp is fine and basic surfing is OK. But loading videos and streaming music is next to impossible usually.

Even with LTE and all the mass migration of users to Docomo and AU now that iphones are available carrier free, doubt the situation has improved much.

Happy to be proven wrong though. Can start a m1 Miffy service if anyone wants.

 

[twosix]

It might seem like I'm talking **** about m1 but the truth is SoftBank has horrible data networks.

I lived in Hokkaido from 2010 to 2011. Had a iPhone with flat rate data plan. In residential areas usually no problems but in crowded urban areas you can pretty much forget about making a call over data.

Whatsapp is fine and basic surfing is OK. But loading videos and streaming music is next to impossible usually.

Even with LTE and all the mass migration of users to Docomo and AU now that iphones are available carrier free, doubt the situation has improved much.

Happy to be proven wrong though. Can start a m1 Miffy service if anyone wants.

Thanks for the inputs. I think as visitors, we need data to get locations and the internet for information and to message with family and friends. If I can do these stuff, I'm happy. For videos and music, I'll do that back in the hotel using the hotel's wifi.

I have a 3GB monthly plan. So spending $12 for 3GB plan in Japan is a good deal to me.

 

[stars87]

Thanks for the inputs. I think as visitors, we need data to get locations and the internet for information and to message with family and friends. If I can do these stuff, I'm happy. For videos and music, I'll do that back in the hotel using the hotel's wifi.

I have a 3GB monthly plan. So spending $12 for 3GB plan in Japan is a good deal to me.

makes sense. dont doubt that. Guess mifi would make sense for those on group travels.

e.g 3-4 people on m1 data passport would be about 30-40 for a week and they would still have to consume their own data allowance from singapore.

 

[angcsbenny]

Just check with my jap friend. And he say the softbank data network is good in Tokyo

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

 

[purpleberry]

No harm trying. If it's very bad can always pop by BIC for their data card.

 

[dlrowehtleah]

the new service makes sense for frequent travelers (at least > 3 or more overseas trip per annual) as these trips help to even out the monthly fee which adds up to SGD122 pa.

otherwise for people who travels only once or twice a year, you'll be better off getting a local data sim. alternatively, apply and cancel the data passport service on a per trip basis.

 

[iwirawan]

Thanks for the inputs. I think as visitors, we need data to get locations and the internet for information and to message with family and friends. If I can do these stuff, I'm happy. For videos and music, I'll do that back in the hotel using the hotel's wifi.

I have a 3GB monthly plan. So spending $12 for 3GB plan in Japan is a good deal to me.

I tried in JB, it works for few minutes and then gone...
To me it is a c**p, CS also refuse to cancel the charge.
Think about what can happen before use the service

 

[angcsbenny]

Using in Tokyo and saitama since first Oct. Works well. Faster and better signal than sg

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

 

[xdivider]

Using in Tokyo and saitama since first Oct. Works well. Faster and better signal than sg

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

Used ard sapporo region, no issues here. Remember to cancel after trip.......

 

[angcsbenny]

Used ard sapporo region, no issues here. Remember to cancel after trip.......

Thanks for the reminder. Already added to my calendar

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

 

[purpleberry]

Are you able to tether with it? How's the performance for checking emails and sending photos?

 

[xdivider]

Are you able to tether with it? How's the performance for checking emails and sending photos?

for me not bad, at least sg speed...........

 

[twosix]

I tried in JB, it works for few minutes and then gone...
To me it is a c**p, CS also refuse to cancel the charge.
Think about what can happen before use the service

Your experience is unfortunate. I've heard of many others who have no issues using it.

 

[stars87]

Your experience is unfortunate. I've heard of many others who have no issues using it.

 

[stars87]

Notwithstanding the fact that one person's good is different from one person's acceptable, my theory on the performance you have been getting is because

you are roaming on e-mobile network. E-mobile was a smaller telco bought out by SoftBank and it gave them extra bandwith capacity.

2) most field reports are from Tokyo, Osaka or areas where population density is the highest. (And where base stations tend to be most densely positioned)

I would agree that SoftBank is sufficient for use. Email, maps and WhatsApp is OK. But more bandwith intensive application, e.G Skype, YouTube and others will simply not cut it.

 

[tryagain888]

I tried in Taipei for 7 days, no issue at all. Cheaper than buying local sim card for data.

 

[xdivider]

Notwithstanding the fact that one person's good is different from one person's acceptable, my theory on the performance you have been getting is because

you are roaming on e-mobile network. E-mobile was a smaller telco bought out by SoftBank and it gave them extra bandwith capacity.

2) most field reports are from Tokyo, Osaka or areas where population density is the highest. (And where base stations tend to be most densely positioned)

I would agree that SoftBank is sufficient for use. Email, maps and WhatsApp is OK. But more bandwith intensive application, e.G Skype, YouTube and others will simply not cut it.

I was in sapporo, had a bit of problem connecting to it in chitose but worked after a while, then coverage was pretty decent throughout noboribetsu / shikotsuko / niseko / sapporo. granted most of my uses were google, jorudan, hyperdia and maps. Thats kinda why its good for those who uses these apps mainly to pay a flat $10 cos they barely exceed cap and bandwidth usage mostly. If u want u tube i suggest a mifi router, the reception is far better........