⚡️💻 README First! How to Select Low Cost SIM Only Plans in Singapore? ✨

[xiaofan]

I've been visiting the forums in Mobile Communication Technology recently. Once in a while, praises are given to SIMBA for being the market disruptor, bringing generous data, talk time and roaming bundles in cheaper plans. However, it is rarely brought up that SIMBA's mobile network is the most inferior, not just from anecdotal evidence but from Opensignal, nPerf and IMDA metrics. I wonder how much investment the big 3 MNOS had put in over the decades, and how much SIMBA had invested, with or without government subsidies

I do not think you can get the data.

And in the end it does not matter. IMDA will approve M1/SIMBA merger and SIMBA users will get access to better networks.

 

[JerSss]

I do not think you can get the data.

And in the end it does not matter. IMDA will approve M1/SIMBA merger and SIMBA users will get access to better networks.

I also think the acquisition is very likely to be approved. Not just from regulatory and business considerations but probably political as well. Then I wonder what is going to happen to M1 users when their network is 'opened' to SIMBA users, capacity wise.

 

[xiaofan]

I also think the acquisition is very likely to be approved. Not just from regulatory and business considerations but probably political as well. Then I wonder what is going to happen to M1 users when their network is 'opened' to SIMBA users, capacity wise.

Usually people will say that hopefully IMDA will add terms and conditions for the merger so that M1 users will not be at disadvantages after the merger.

Yes it is good for IMDA to do something. But I will say better to rely on the market force. Let M1 users vote with their wallet if the merger turns out to be not good for existing users.

 

[xiaofan]

If you check out M1 Maxx thread, quite some users are leaving M1 Maxx (often port out to Singtel MVNOs with the good 50% OFF offer) or just keep the zero dollar M1 Maxx Base plan.

I actually think M1 Maxx S$10 plan is of good value for my use cases (secondary line to complement my main S$15.28 SingTel SIM Only lines, say for roaming).

Unfortunately M1 Maxx does not offer voice roaming (only eight and SIMBA offers free voice roaming), I may stick with eight S$8 plan (or even SIMBA S$12 plan if it beats eight by a big margin) pending the test results of roaming in China during my upcoming short trip to China.

 

[crystalnox]

This compilation is a treasure chest of info for AI to copy and vomit back out at users.

 

[xiaofan]

@Vulpix

Just wondering if you are okay to make this thread a sticky thread for this forum section. Thanks.

FYI, I created a similar thread in the Fibre Broadband section and the mod there makes that thread sticky. In fact the mod @ykeen changes the title thread nicely as well.

⚡️ [Official] README First! 2025 SG ISP Comparison & Latest Promo Deals!

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...sg-isp-comparison-latest-promo-deals.6665380/

 

[froztheart]

I've been visiting the forums in Mobile Communication Technology recently. Once in a while, praises are given to SIMBA for being the market disruptor, bringing generous data, talk time and roaming bundles in cheaper plans. However, it is rarely brought up that SIMBA's mobile network is the most inferior, not just from anecdotal evidence but from Opensignal, nPerf and IMDA metrics. I wonder how much investment the big 3 MNOS had put in over the decades, and how much SIMBA had invested, with or without government subsidies

As a new entrant that managed to actually cause changes in the market, definitely SIMBA needs to be praised.
And since being a new entrant with limited spectrum allocated, it's never going to fight well with incumbent big 3's network.

It's like you starting a business on your own hard earned money, while your competitor have a rich family backing along with years of experience headstart with advantages provided too.

 

[xiaofan]

As of now, only Eight and SIMBA offer free voice roaming.

Here are more info about the differences between the two.

Eight deducts from IDD minutes allowance. Once IDD allowance depleted, need to top up or cannot make incoming or/and outgoing calls while roaming. You can only place a call back to SG or within the country you are roaming in. Let's say you are in JB, u can only make call(s) to SG number or MY number. Cannot call your tirak in Thailand while jalan-jalan with your sayang in Malaysia.

Simba - Free Voice Roaming. I tried before, I can call SG and to a 3rd country while I was roaming, e.g., I can call Indo while in Malaysia.

Edit: the new StarHub 5G Unlimited+ no contract SIM Only plans (not including 5G Lite plan) and 5G Platinum plans also support free voice roaming. But they are much more expensive, starting at S$38 per month with 5G Unlimited+ Core plan.

 

[xiaofan]

Very good info about the limitations when roaming in China.

In China

Tested only 5 CN applications - (it was all I knew how to use as they had English translations)
1. WeChat and its various mini-programs (e.g. Didi to book cabs)
2. Alipay (Barely used it because WeChat worked for me)
3. Dianping (Browse for food recommendations)
4. Baidu Map

There are others who had issues with WeChat but no issues with Alipay. Luck of the draw.
Cash was always accepted by every hawker / shop.

With WeChat I could
- Buy metro tickets at the counter in SZ
- Buy metro tickets at the machine in GZ
- Pay hotel fees
- Load the resaurant menu to order food
- Buy items at shops
- Purchase tourist attraction tickets
- Transfer money to others users (Some shops operated this way)
- Book and made payment for Didi / Taxis
- Book trains

Please keep your WeChat account active every 6 months or it will become dormant and you'll require assistance from 3 old friends to help you unfreeze your account.


Specific limitations exists that gatekeep services to either
1. China Mobile Number only
e.g.
If you want to join the various shops membership program to earn points from your orders.
You want a SMS alert when your queue or order is ready. (In app alerts work)
There are apps or programs that require a CN number only for registration.
Open a bank account.

2. China / Hong Kong IP only
e.g.
Buying single trip metro ticket at the machine (SZ Only). That means you'll have to buy it at the human counter instead.
Buying a ez-link card at the machine (SZ Only).
Checking on my order status at Mcdonalds in GZ.
Experienced one specific restaurant's webpage that would not load with SG IP.

3. China Citizen only
I chalk this down to bad luck. I couldn't setup the digital metro card for travel in SZ and GZ. (i.e. using phone to scan in / out). First it was internet access error. Eventually encountered another error stating it's for citizens only (I'm not the only one). Eventually worked when I tried again when I was back in Singapore.
You can't use WeChat to make payment outside China (e.g. in Hong Kong).

4. China Issued Bank Card only
Tried buying a ez-link card (I collect cards with pretty designs) at the machine in GZ. They will not accept any SG cards.
You can't use your SG card to store money in your WeChat wallet unless you link a China bank card. (Tour card is the workaround).

5. Chinese Language only
Some features are available with the Chinese language option only. You'll notice the difference when you switch to English.
e.g. Taobao, China Unicom app

The limitations all varies on a case by case basis. What worked for one doesn't mean it worked for all people / all regions. It's not consistent.

 

[bunegg]

Out of all these. Which telco got better connection and UI ah?

Last time I used Giga! Then now switch to eight. Although all on StarHub network but places that giga! Used to have good connection one become damn cui on eight. The only good thing is eight got lots of Malaysia roaming.

also eight’s setting need go their stupidly clumbersome website login to find stuff

 

[dao]

As of now, only Eight and SIMBA offer free voice roaming.

Here are more info about the differences between the two.

The new Starhub plan offer free voice roaming.

 

[xiaofan]

The new Starhub plan offer free voice roaming.

Good point, other than the S$22 per month 5G Lite plan and the S$12 per month 5G senior plan, all the other new StarHub SIM Only plans (StarHub 5G Unlimited+ plans and 5G Platinum plans) have free voice roaming.

https://consumer.starhub.com/personal/store/mobile-plans
Unlimited calls & SMS, 165 destinations
Unlimited IDD calls, 165 destinations

These plans are of course not cheap, starting at S$38 per month 5G Unlimited+ Core plan.

 

[JerSss]

As a new entrant that managed to actually cause changes in the market, definitely SIMBA needs to be praised.
And since being a new entrant with limited spectrum allocated, it's never going to fight well with incumbent big 3's network.

It's like you starting a business on your own hard earned money, while your competitor have a rich family backing along with years of experience headstart with advantages provided too.

Interesting analogy. I believe mobile networks are considered critical infrastructure in most countries. The initial investment would not likely have been accomplished without government or government-linked support in one way or another. I don't think there is any country that had its initial national level mobile network started by a completely private enterprise.

For our spectrum, I think IMDA does its allocation through auctions? Doesn't that make the highest bidder end up with more allocated spectrum? I am also not sure whether spectrum correlates directly with network capacity and bandwidth. As the regulatory authority, the level of competition and how much spectrum to allocate or re-allocate must rest with IMDA.

 

[froztheart]

Interesting analogy. I believe mobile networks are considered critical infrastructure in most countries. The initial investment would not likely have been accomplished without government or government-linked support in one way or another. I don't think there is any country that had its initial national level mobile network started by a completely private enterprise.

For our spectrum, I think IMDA does its allocation through auctions? Doesn't that make the highest bidder end up with more allocated spectrum? I am also not sure whether spectrum correlates directly with network capacity and bandwidth. As the regulatory authority, the level of competition and how much spectrum to allocate or re-allocate must rest with IMDA.

Agreed, which is why to me SIMBA did good and initiated the change that was much needed in SG.

Yes, IMDA is the apex whom auctions the spectrum out and yes the highest bidder is allocated but also the allocation is managed to ensure a "fair" allocation. SIMBA came in late, so it wasn't that great an allocation it got since it was essentially leftovers.
Spectrum is the speed & bandwidth, while network capacity is dependent on the hardware installed and both need to correspond to ensure "optimal" performance.

 

[xiaofan]

Updated Post #2 and #3 to include the following.
1) mention SingTel hi! 4G plan
2) CMLink 50% OFF offer will end on 30-Nov-2025 as per their Facebook post.

Pending confirmation on the end of 50% OFF offer from Zero1 and VIVIFI. It may take some time for them to update the website, or they may even choose to extend the offer like Zym and CMLink.

 

[xiaofan]

For our spectrum, I think IMDA does its allocation through auctions?

More info on the IMDA Spectrum Rights auctions.
https://www.imda.gov.sg/regulations...ement/spectrum-rights-auctions-and-assignment

Spectrum Rights issued
https://www.imda.gov.sg/regulations-and-licensing-listing/spectrum-management/spectrum-right-issued

 

[Milo-Dino]

Very good info about the limitations when roaming in China.

Actually that post not entirely accurate on China.

China my preference is to use alipay... Can travel on metro within alipay app itself without buying card. Scan qr code within phone like a local.

 

[loganrunning]

Actually that post not entirely accurate on China.

China my preference is to use alipay... Can travel on metro within alipay app itself without buying card. Scan qr code within phone like a local.

agree. the mini-app within alipay works. no need to download the local city metro app which often requires a +86 number.

 

[xiaofan]

From eight FAQ, there may be some limitations regarding voice roaming.
https://www.eight.com.sg/faq-network-roaming-and-idd

• Does roaming covers calls and SMS?
  Absolutely! Our plans include 288 minutes of roaming calls—whether you’re calling back to Singapore or making local calls in the country you’re visiting.
  • To ensure smooth calling, check the “Network Operator (VoLTE Calls)” column in our roaming guide.
  • For example: In Malaysia, connect to MAXIS/UMOBILE/CELCOM to enjoy VoLTE calls and stay in touch with home.
  • For SMS, there will be no issues to receive OTP, but our plans do not include outgoing international SMS at the moment.

 

[xiaofan]

The question may be asked why there are so many roaming partners which do not support VoLTE.

I do not know the answer. My guess.
1) The partner network does not support VoLTE, not even for their local customers.

2) They may have limited capacity of VoLTE support and prioritise the support to their own customers and not roaming users.

3) Cost reasons: both parties may not be able to settle the costing agreement.

Just wondering if the experts here can shed some light.