Hi fellows, my use case is light (below 200MB per wkend) 4G (must be 4G) data (but not restricted to social media only) consumption over the weekends (only). Totally need no voice-related functions at all. My objective is to have maximum amount of data that can be rolled over the lengthiest period. From my briefing browsing of the 3 carriers' site, am I right to say the most appropriate option for me is:
1. Get the SingTel hi! $15
which gives me 1GB to last 120days from the get-go;
then use the existing $15+$5extra to pay for the $20 30-day 3GB data bundle which gives me a total of 4GB for 150 continuous days for total cash outlay of $20.
Workings:
Step1: Day 1: Pay $15 - use 1GB any time
Step2: Day 120: Top-up $5 to the existing $15 & "redeem/buy" the 3GB 30-day plan - use 3GB anytime
Qn1: Either way are my best options right? Any flaws in my calculations?
Qn2: Btw, the data (1GB) bundled with the $38 hi! card expires in 7 days (only), am I right?
Qn3a: It is more value-for-$ if I repeat Step1 & Step2, i.e. get a new $15 hi! card instead of just repeating STEP2 right?
Qn3b: Is it possible for someone to buy multiple new hi! cards from SingTel at one shot? Or will they limit per NRIC?
200MB per weekend, just assume 800MB per month.
By the day 35 or so, you've already depleted the 1GB data.
During that time, you've to subscribe to data plans.
Btw the $15 hi!Card expires in 120 day, unlike 180 days of M1 and StarHub. Need to pay extra to extend. (May not have the extension of validity VAS on SingTel hi!Card already.)
I don't rmb seeing $5 top up also anymore, minimum $10.
A1) The 3GB data is only valid for 30 days from the date of purchase of the plan, all remaining data will be forfeited if you did not extend before the expiry.
Plus given your low usage, why not just use the $7 1GB 7 days plan, and then extend the 1GB by paying $1 10MB 7 days plan till you're running low then redo the $7 1GB plan? (30 days plan cannot use 7 days plan to extend, also applicable for opposite.)
Oh ya, in that case, actually may as well use M1 M Card. Top up the 3 days 1GB $5 plan, then keep extending using 30 days 300MB $5 plan.
Topping up $10 or more via M1's website gives you additional 500MB of data for 30 days (separate from the paid data plans).
So ya, summarise:
1) Buy $15 M Card, gets 1GB data (524MB for 7 days, 500MB for 30 days). Validity: 180 days. Value: $18.
2) Use up the 1GB already (assume week 5): pay for 3 days 1GB plan X1 and 30 days 300MB plan X2: 1.6GB data for 63 days (9 weeks). Value left: $3.
3) Top up via M1's website right before data plan expiry, gets 500MB data (separate). Use that 500MB for around 3 weeks, then near empty, buy new data plan, but now 300MB 30 days X1 + 1GB 3 days X1, so 33 days (near to 5 weeks) to use 1.3GB data. Validity: 90 days from last top up. Value: $3.
Repeats step 3, or you can just do step 1-2 repeatedly, but frequently have to deregister the line.
Yes, on M1, you can mix and match paid data plans. Also can use in some countries for data roaming.
Typically M1 4G is similar in coverage and similar performance as SingTel 4G, sometimes even better.
Only major problem is in the North East MRT Line (purple), where connection can be very bad.
A2) Yes, 1GB valid for 7 days. $38 credit is up to 180 days validity.
A3a) As I said in point 1, may not be the best in value given your usage scenario.
A3b) You can buy multiple cards at one time, but all the cards may expire at the same time (I.e. 120 days from registration/activation). Therefore, it is recommended to split.
Also, there is a maximum of 3 prepaid cards per person at one time, it's mandated by IMDA. The user must deregister to register a new line of he possess 3 or more prepaid cards.
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