Eight Telecom discussion thread

11.11.

11.11.

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
11,837
Reaction score
35,328
...those port in online must collect the simcard from the retailer within how many days after receiving the confirmation email/sms from eight mobile....anyone?
 
J

JAYSCS

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
932
Cedric7 said:
It's also a good trap 😆
Click to expand...
Well, for the price it costs and if one is fine with the service, it is not really a trap especially compared to plans incorporating with devices, that is really a trap. And someone mentioned here, even if one decided to try something else along the way, the opportunity cost is very acceptable.
 
BBCWatcher

BBCWatcher

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
24,165
Reaction score
5,356
JAYSCS said:
Even WhatsApp does not work as the data only plan is not assigned with mobile no., that is no way to register for WhatsApp right?
Click to expand...
That's unclear. It's something to test, and it may be carrier specific.

First of all, you can install and run WhatsApp on secondary devices — on iPads as a notable example, including iPads without any cellular modem at all. I've got WhatsApp running on an iPad. It only required a "primary" device for initial setup. Second, you don't necessarily need a Singapore mobile number for WhatsApp. If you want to use a SIM card from another country with another mobile number, that's fine. WhatsApp doesn't care. As long as you can receive an SMS text message in Singapore, great. (Maybe you need to top that line up by $1 every year to keep it active, but OK, whatever. Maybe it's some awesome +88 number from Bangladesh for example?) Third, it's possible the "data-only" SIM/eSIM can receive (but not send) SMS text messages. If it can, that should be good enough for WhatsApp.

I think you also mentioned using a $0 mobile SIM/eSIM for notional voice and SMS purposes such as registering with WhatsApp. That's also possible. For example, some M1 broadband subscribers get a free mobile SIM with 500MB of data per month ("Bespoke SurfValue"). I think this line includes voice and SMS, albeit without any allowances. If so, you could use that SIM to receive SMS text messages if that's all you need.

S$5 is all it takes to test these hypotheses.

In case anyone is wondering, you should be able to call 999 or 995 on any phone that's technically able to connect to any cellular tower in Singapore (4G VoLTE or higher). Emergency calls aren't supposed to require any particular SIM or eSIM — or any SIM at all. You should also be able to send SMS text messages to 70995 and 70999 (equivalent to voice 995 and 999 respectively). On an iPhone, for example, the "SOS" indicator means your phone can only call emergency services — that it can reach at least one mobile tower to place such a call. You may have seen this indicator after you've ported a line out, for example.
 
caesium5

caesium5

Member
Joined
May 10, 2007
Messages
358
Reaction score
122
New Eight user, maybe missed it but can't find the answer to the following.
Anyone idea? Thanks.

1. When Eight Mobile's roaming data runs out but I still have credit in the account wallet,
- will the roaming data service stops or
- will it auto-deduct from wallet credit to enable roaming (like Simba)

2. Besides paying for the monthly fee, can I use the credit in the account's wallet to buy Add-On ?
 
S

sibeiTrolled

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
1,866
Reaction score
1,534
caesium5 said:
When Eight Mobile's roaming data runs out but I still have credit in the account wallet,
- will the roaming data service stops or
- will it auto-deduct from wallet credit to enable roaming (like Simba)
Click to expand...
There is no pay to use so it will stop
Have to purchase the addon to continue.

https://www.eight.com.sg/faq-network-roaming-and-idd

Enjoy free roaming in your plan! Learn more about roaming here. Currently there is no pay-per-use for roaming, enjoy roaming as part of your base mobile plans!

caesium5 said:
Besides paying for the monthly fee, can I use the credit in the account's wallet to buy Add-On ?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can choose to use main balance or credit card
 
Last edited:
J

JAYSCS

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
932
BBCWatcher said:
That's unclear. It's something to test, and it may be carrier specific.

First of all, you can install and run WhatsApp on secondary devices — on iPads as a notable example, including iPads without any cellular modem at all. I've got WhatsApp running on an iPad. It only required a "primary" device for initial setup. Second, you don't necessarily need a Singapore mobile number for WhatsApp. If you want to use a SIM card from another country with another mobile number, that's fine. WhatsApp doesn't care. As long as you can receive an SMS text message in Singapore, great. (Maybe you need to top that line up by $1 every year to keep it active, but OK, whatever. Maybe it's some awesome +88 number from Bangladesh for example?) Third, it's possible the "data-only" SIM/eSIM can receive (but not send) SMS text messages. If it can, that should be good enough for WhatsApp.

I think you also mentioned using a $0 mobile SIM/eSIM for notional voice and SMS purposes such as registering with WhatsApp. That's also possible. For example, some M1 broadband subscribers get a free mobile SIM with 500MB of data per month ("Bespoke SurfValue"). I think this line includes voice and SMS, albeit without any allowances. If so, you could use that SIM to receive SMS text messages if that's all you need.

S$5 is all it takes to test these hypotheses.

In case anyone is wondering, you should be able to call 999 or 995 on any phone that's technically able to connect to any cellular tower in Singapore (4G VoLTE or higher). Emergency calls aren't supposed to require any particular SIM or eSIM — or any SIM at all. You should also be able to send SMS text messages to 70995 and 70999 (equivalent to voice 995 and 999 respectively). On an iPhone, for example, the "SOS" indicator means your phone can only call emergency services — that it can reach at least one mobile tower to place such a call. You may have seen this indicator after you've ported a line out, for example.
Click to expand...
We are of the same opinion, IMHO, the point I am trying to drive at is data only plan cannot be used independently, it needs another legit line, be it free or chargeable to be reachable. 😂

To sign up Whatsapp, one needs a legit mobile no. to receive code via SMS, so if those data only plan has no mobile no. or SMS function or receive call, it will not be able to verify being authentic owner. This scenario applies to paid data only plan, not free mbb SIM that comes with another paid mobile or fibre bb plan.

As for making use of foreign no., of cos it is possible but it is not what the intention of the topic where by we are looking at using data only plan as main line. That is usually used by scamming purpose I suppose? Or needed by foreign workers but if the foreign no. has some form of monthly cost incurred, technically it is not using data only plan independently. 😀

As for emergency call, definitely educative but is not within the topic discussion. 😀
 
Last edited:
BBCWatcher

BBCWatcher

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
24,165
Reaction score
5,356
JAYSCS said:
We are of the same opinion, IMHO, the point I am trying to drive at is data only plan cannot be used independently, it needs another legit line, be it free or chargeable to be reachable. 😂
Click to expand...
We don't know that. If the "data-only" line can receive SMS text messages — at least from the verification server WhatsApp uses — then that's good enough for WhatsApp.

....Or maybe someone doesn't want/need WhatsApp? Apple's FaceTime and iMessage, as notable examples, don't require mobile phone numbers. You can contact people via FaceTime and iMessage using a registered e-mail address instead of a mobile number. Everyone in my extended family group happens to have Apple devices, and some of those family members (especially the younger ones) don't have mobile lines but can be reached on FaceTime and iMessage. Which is probably for the best.
JAYSCS said:
As for making use of foreign no., of cos it is possible but it is not what the intention of the topic where by we are looking at using data only plan as main line. That is usually used by scamming purpose I suppose? 😀
Click to expand...
If your circle of friends/family/contacts has no issue with your using a +88 (for example) number instead of a +65 number, why should either of us care?
 
J

JAYSCS

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
932
BBCWatcher said:
We don't know that. If the "data-only" line can receive SMS text messages — at least from the verification server WhatsApp uses — then that's good enough for WhatsApp.

....Or maybe someone doesn't want/need WhatsApp? Apple's FaceTime and iMessage, as notable examples, don't require mobile phone numbers. You can contact people via FaceTime and iMessage using a registered e-mail address instead of a mobile number. Everyone in my extended family group happens to have Apple devices, and some of those family members (especially the younger ones) don't have mobile lines but can be reached on FaceTime and iMessage. Which is probably for the best.

If your circle of friends/family/contacts has no issue with your using a +88 (for example) number instead of a +65 number, why should either of us care?
Click to expand...
As long as there is no additional cost to maintain communication with the data only plan, then it is considered a plausible method. But to most, cellular and SMS are still essential. 😀
 
T

TyL3r_DuRd3n

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
May 4, 2000
Messages
21,417
Reaction score
1,184
J

JAYSCS

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
932
wjleong15 said:
I just realized wallet balance cannot be used for 1 year plan, omg
Click to expand...
But why you want to go by this option, the savings is quite minimal. Leaving your credits in wallet gives you more flexibility and options for change of plans. Or do you mean buying add-on for your 1yr plan?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ Forums. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts. Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards and Terms and Conditions for more information.
Top