Comparison of SIM only plans - Part 2

[xiaofan]

Looks like Zero1 also updated the web page to remove the promotion info.

Only left CMLink which has not updated the web page.

CMLink is extending the offer to mid December 2025.

From CMLink Facebook.
+++++++++
Save big, stay connected!

Enjoy 50% OFF for 6 months on our $10.1 & $15 plan till 18 December 2025.

Applicable to new sign-ups or port in from non-Singtel or non-Singtel MVNOs and the port in number must not have been registered with CMLink in the past 12 months. T&Cs apply.

#CMLinkSingapore #CMLinkSG #StayConnected
++++++++

 

[xiaofan]

1) Now that Singtel MVNOs' good promotion have mostly gone, let's see how they are going to differentiate with each other.

Probably one of them will disappear in 2026 -- Zym, Zero1 and VIVIFI. My bet is on VIVIFI.

2) I am also thinking RedONE will be another one to disappear in 2026.

3) Yet the other question is whether MyRepublic Mobile will be absored by Starhub, Maybe not. Let's see.

Singtel --> Gomo (SingTel sub-brand), Singtel hi! (Singtel sub-brand), Zym, Zero1, VIVIFI and CMLink --> VIVIFI to go in 2026??

Starhub --> giga (Starhub sub-brand), Eight (Starhub sub-brand), MyRepublic 5G plans, CUniq, RedONE --> RedONE to go in 2026?

M1 (to merge with SIMBA) --> Maxx (M1 sub-brand), Circles.Life, MyRepublic 4G plans

SIMBA (to merge with M1)

 

[xiaofan]

Former MVNOs in Singapore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Singapore

• Former operators:
  • MVNOs:
    • Changi Mobile (on M1's network)
    • Geenet mobile (March 2020 - December 2025)[17]
    • ZΩH (August 2022 - December 2023)[18]
    • Gorilla Mobile (June 2021 - January 2023)[19]
    • Grid Mobile (June 2019 - 6 December 2021)[20]
    • Zero Mobile (December 2017 - March 2020)[21]
    • Virgin Mobile Singapore (on Singtel's network[22] ceased operations in 2002)[23]

 

[bombomlee]

Any recommendations for a SIM only 5G plan, esim with >20gb of roaming data worldwide? Going to JP and tw end of this month and looking to hop. Currently on giga but it only has 6gb of roaming

Happy enough on Giga and Gomo 5G networks so probably will stay on SH/ST mvno

Looked at Zym Roam Power @ $22.10/mth w/ 28gb roaming, Zero1 Movemo Dash @ $20/mth w/ 20gb roaming too

 

[xiaofan]

Any recommendations for a SIM only 5G plan, esim with >20gb of roaming data worldwide? Going to JP and tw end of this month and looking to hop. Currently on giga but it only has 6gb of roaming

Happy enough on Giga and Gomo 5G networks so probably will stay on SH/ST mvno

Looked at Zym Roam Power @ $22.10/mth w/ 28gb roaming, Zero1 Movemo Dash @ $20/mth w/ 20gb roaming too

Eight S$18 plan is a good alternative. 36GB for only Taiwan, 18GB for Japan/Taiwan. It also offers free voice roaming. It is using StarHub's network. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of StarHub.
https://www.eight.com.sg/

CMLink S$15 plan only has 15GB roaming data to Taiwan/Japan. But it has 50% OFF offer until 18 Dec 2025 from second month onwards (six months for port-in, three month for new sign-up). So it might be an option as well if you sign up two lines. It is using SingTel network.
https://www.cmlink.com/sg/en/get-sim/

 

[shawniiex]

I feel it's zero1 that will go if anything. Then vivifi then zym last. Because zym is in Samsung shops.

 

[xiaofan]

I feel it's zero1 that will go if anything. Then vivifi then zym last. Because zym is in Samsung shops.

1. Haha, I am more judging from the thread activity and Facebook page activity.

VIVIFI thread is not as active as as Zero1/Zym. VIVIFI Faceboot page posts usually have very few comments or likes.

2. RedONE thread is also not active. But their Malaysia operation is more active.

3. CUniq thread is very inactive but it is backed by China Unicom so unlike to go.

 

[xiaofan]

I feel it's zero1 that will go if anything. Then vivifi then zym last. Because zym is in Samsung shops.

And indeed Zym is in a stronger position than Zero1 and VIVIFI.

You may also be right that VIVIFI may be stronger than Zero1 as the founder may be richer.

1) Zym
https://zym.sg/about-us/

ZYM mobile (MVNO), by m-DR Ltd.
mDR Limited ("mDR") is an established after-market service provider for mobile phones and various consumer electronics products. mDR was incorporated in Singapore on 21 October 2000, and listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST") on 14 March 2003.

In Singapore, the mDR Group of companies operates one of the largest networks of telecommunications retail stores (including franchised stores), offering Singtel products and services, such as mobile, fixed and wireless broadband. In 2021, mDR extended its partnership to launch its first MVNO, ZYM Mobile

2) VIVIFI company founder background
https://www.apsense.com/article/vivifi-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-new-mvno.html

3) Zero1 company founder background
https://storm-asia.com/zero1-stuart-tan-digital-tech/

 

[xiaofan]

Yet the other interesting development could be Circles.Life, which may have a complicated relationship with the upcoming M1/Simba combination.

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/circles-life-flags-consumer-risks-in-proposed-m1-simba-merger

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/circles-life-sue-m1-mobile-network-5397956

 

[xiaofan]

Why I still consider RedOne to be one possible dropout from Singapore market in 2026?

This is because I believe StarHub does not really put too much support for its MVNOs, probably with the exception of MyRepublic Mobile it may absorb in the future. Rather it uses its wholly owned subsidiary Eight Telecom to compete on the lower tier of the market segment.

RedONE and CUniq (both are StarHub based MVNOs) are not that successful based on the feedbacks in this forum and from the Internet.

 

[gapboy]

I feel it's zero1 that will go if anything. Then vivifi then zym last. Because zym is in Samsung shops.

Z1 was one of the first ST MVNOs around. So far, I guess they get their own customer base, like some of us who were migrated from M1 Maxx. I don't think they will be gone so soon like me for the next 12 months with the "benefits for porting..

Speculation is like trading in the stock market no need to cause any panick ; better to wait for any formal "news."

 

[xiaofan]

Some lessons learned for me to test different SIM Only plans.

1) If you need to have multiple new SIMs for testing purposes, or if you use number poring pretty often, it is good to use eSIM. My Poco X7 Pro and Poco X6 Pro do not support eSIM.

2) If you opt for physical SIM, you may want to go to nearby physical shop to do the sign-up or porting. You can also choose to sign up online but then collect at the nearby location.

I chose to let the providers send me the physical SIM cards (Eight, Maxx and CUniq) and that might take some time. Eight and Maxx have authorised retailers at Jurong Point which would make things faster.

CUniq does not have retailers near to my place so I have to get through CUniq.

With the lesson learned, I signed up for SIMBA and Circles.Life (no plan to get CL originally but they happened to have three months free 5G trial) at the same physical shop. Very fast and smooth process.

SIMBA, Maxx, Eight, CMLink, Zym, MyRepublic and Circles.Life have authorised dealer at Jurong Point.

3) For prepaid card from M1/SingTel, probably it is easier to get from M1 Shop and Singtel shop directly.

3) For M1 Maxx, it is probably better to sign up at physical shop. For online purchase from M1 Maxx they will set it up as recursive paying plan. It may be more troublesome if you want to drop to base plan, even though the report seems to say you can call 1693 to stop the recurring payment and drop to base plan I have not tried this by myself.

4) Eight and SIMBA VoWiFi do not work with my Poco X6 Pro. SIMBA VoWiFI does not work with my Poco X7 Pro. So you may avoid Poco or lesser known brand phones if you want to make sure VoWiFi works.

5) To be added

 

[bombomlee]

Eight S$18 plan is a good alternative. 36GB for only Taiwan, 18GB for Japan/Taiwan. It also offers free voice roaming. It is using StarHub's network. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of StarHub.
https://www.eight.com.sg/

CMLink S$15 plan only has 15GB roaming data to Taiwan/Japan. But it has 50% OFF offer until 18 Dec 2025 from second month onwards (six months for port-in, three month for new sign-up). So it might be an option as well if you sign up two lines. It is using SingTel network.
https://www.cmlink.com/sg/en/get-sim/

Thanks a lot, just checked out the Eight $18 plan and will change to this one. Already paying $18 for giga and this seems like a better deal.

Thanks again for all your work, very very helpful as I'm looking at isp for my new house too

 

[swathe]

Compared between Simba and Eight, which is the better of the worst when it comes to common areas like MRT, malls and schools?

 

[gapboy]

Compared between Simba and Eight, which is the better of the worst when it comes to common areas like MRT, malls and schools?

Each has its advantages and disadvantages.. Depends on different users' experiences; both are no-contract try and see which one is best for you. There are individual threads on both networks where you can read the feedback.

 

[amazingone]

Mobile virtual network operators face consolidation threat in 2026: analysts
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/co...ators-face-consolidation-threat-2026-analysts

 

[xiaofan]

Mobile virtual network operators face consolidation threat in 2026: analysts
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/co...ators-face-consolidation-threat-2026-analysts

Interesting.

The comment about heya sounds quite reasonable. It is just Singtel has done a confusing job of combining the hi! Postpaid and hi! Prepaid plans in the same SingTel hi! Website. But that is probably intentional as well since both are managed by SingTel Prepaid Team.

And the exit and merge of the remaining MVNOs can certainly happen.

+++++
In fact, Saifee said that the rebranding of heya as Singtel hi! in November was essentially a “brand consolidation” that signifies a calibrated push into the lower-end segments.
...
“I do see potential for a rationalisation in the challenger brands in the market,” he added, pointing out that outside of Circles.Life, there are no prominent MVNOs in Singapore.

Wang concurred, noting that MVNO margins will shrink and that smaller players may exit or merge. He added: “Survivors must stand out from competitors.”
...

 

[Jurong640]

Mobile virtual network operators face consolidation threat in 2026: analysts
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/co...ators-face-consolidation-threat-2026-analysts

I feel that there are too many Singtel MVNO's offering the same products and risk cannibalising each other. Zym, Zero1 and Vivifi are very similar in their offerings.

If Simba M1 merger is approved, it would likely threaten them. I hope the 3 would come together as one brand. Better fighting chance than 3 fighting it out with each other.

 

[ecommercenoob]

Which postpaid sim or prepaid sim that is cheapopo and once data bundle finished internet stop, that will not be pay as you use? I want to use for mobile internet usb tethering. When data bundle exhausted, internet stop. Need to manually buy add on data or data bundle to continue internet can use?

 

[xiaofan]

Which postpaid sim or prepaid sim that is cheapopo and once data bundle finished internet stop, that will not be pay as you use? I want to use for mobile internet usb tethering. When data bundle exhausted, internet stop. Need to manually buy add on data or data bundle to continue internet can use?

1. MVNOs in general do not have excess local data charges if you used up the local data entitlement.

Giga, Eight, Maxx, Gomo, Zero1, Zym, CMLink, CUniq, RedONE, MyRepublic, etc.

After using up the local data entitlement, your internet access will either stop or throttle to a very slow speed (like 512 kbps), depending on the providers.

Take note this only applies to local data and may not be the same for voice/SMS.

For roaming data, you may also need to check the policy.

2. Take note SIMBA may have excess data charges. But it is an MNO, not an MVNO.
https://support.simba.sg/hc/en-us/a...g-else-other-than-what-s-included-in-the-plan

SingTel SIM Only may charge excess local data usage (unless for the plans with unlimited data).

M1 Bespoke SIM Only plan does not seem to charge excess local data.

StarHub's new 5G Enhanced+ and 5G Platinum plans offer unlimited local data, except the 5G Lite plan which only has 150 GB local sat, but I believe it still do not have excess local data charges. In any case, these plans are too expensive to be worth considering for your use case.