Eight Telecom discussion thread

[Habrosus]

Did you pay any fee to get the eSIM?

Physical and eSIM issuing is FOC so far. They've not started charging.

 

[tt88]

Physical and eSIM issuing is FOC so far. They've not started charging.

I've learned that a fee may be incurred if you lose or need to reissue the eSIM.

 

[A7997A]

Both Apple and Google are improving the ability to move eSIMs between phones. Apple already supports moving eSIMs between iPhones, and in iOS 26 (the next release in September, 2025) Apple is adding the ability to move eSIMs between iPhones and Android devices. (This is the technical capability. Carriers still need to cooperate in letting customers move eSIMs between devices on their own.)

As you mentioned, the issue is with the carriers, particularly in SG, having all the capabilities counts for little when the carriers do not participate. Also, all such mechanism requires the phone to be functional, which is one of the key advantage for physical sim.

Also, how would you buy a physical SIM to get data service in Japan before you get to Japan? Realistically that's only with an eSIM, or at least it's a lot easier with an eSIM. (You can shop for them on esimdb.com, for example.) That's an advantage, the convenience. This added convenience didn't work out for you with your particular device, but some people have appropriate devices and appreciate the convenience. (Or they pick an eSIM that roams onto a different carrier in Japan that works better with their particular device.)

I am surprise that anyone in SG would still require an esim for travel. Simba, eight, maxx, most of the singtel MVNOs already include roaming that includes Japan. If you are not on one of those, simply port over to them, which avoids double payment.

Yes, you can. But there are some advantages with eSIMs. There are pros and cons with both. For example, if you lose your phone (the one with your physical SIM) while in Japan then it'll take quite a while before you can get a replacement SIM since you probably can't get one in Japan. With an eSIM you have at least the possibility to obtain a replacement while abroad.

This is when I would use an esim, ie when you lose your physical sim, and in need of urgent replacement.
However this doesn't work very well with some of SG mobile operator that requires physical presence, or take so long that it is faster to be physically present.

 

[therat]

Physical SIM card is convenient when need to change of HP.
For those non-technology person especially elderly, ESIM is too complicated for them.

Come across in SIMBA topup counter, a uncle phone spolit , want to change transfer esim to his new phone but was told. Counter cannot issue E-SIM, he need to go Service Centre

 

[twosix]

Here we go again, psim vs esim.

Both has pros and cons. Use whichever u think works for u.

I use esim for travel only. You may want a psim if the roaming sim has a phone number u want to keep.

 

[TonyStark]

guys, my balance left $6, will it auto deduct from my credit card? or i need to top up manually? thanks

 

[sibeiTrolled]

guys, my balance left $6, will it auto deduct from my credit card? or i need to top up manually? thanks

https://www.eight.com.sg/faq-renew-recharge-and-billing

How will I be billed for my mobile plan?

The plan deduction will be based on wallet balance first and then the payment methods (Credit/ Debit) card that you added into the account. Login to eight account.

If the wallet has no sufficient balance, we will deduction from the Credit/Debit card that you added into the account as there is no partial deduction available for the wallet

 

[everex]

Flawless roaming in France and Switzerland, including at the very peak of Mt Titlis (about 10,000 ft above sea level) at the Alps. My own personal experience. I wonder why others call it's roaming crap.

So far, already used 8 roaming in several Asian countries and European countries, no issue.

 

[Jurong640]

Flawless roaming in France and Switzerland, including at the very peak of Mt Titlis (about 10,000 ft above sea level) at the Alps. My own personal experience. I wonder why others call it's roaming crap.

So far, already used 8 roaming in several Asian countries and European countries, no issue.

Wah nice. Mt Titlis is nice, was there more than a decade ago.

Roaming cap because haven't been on snow capped alps

 

[yujin86]

just back from Manila, roaming on Smart but now support 5G already. network is slow but i think is acceptable. only at airport 5G can go up to 300mbps+. other places at manila mostly ard 20 to 40mbps.
for SGD11.80/month nth to complaint about.

 

[jasonsouza77]

was at r+f princess cove JB recently visiting a friend on the 12th floor. did a speedtest with my redmi note 11 on the 288gb plan. did the speedtest thrice. all three below 1mb. has anyone experienced similar? sigh

 

[Habrosus]

was at r+f princess cove JB recently visiting a friend on the 12th floor. did a speedtest with my redmi note 11 on the 288gb plan. did the speedtest thrice. all three below 1mb. has anyone experienced similar? sigh

Maxis, U Mobile, or CelcomDigi? Or Eight?

 

[gnowyx]

just back from Manila, roaming on Smart but now support 5G already. network is slow but i think is acceptable. only at airport 5G can go up to 300mbps+. other places at manila mostly ard 20 to 40mbps.
for SGD11.80/month nth to complaint about.

globe is the better network, but eight didn't offer that, likely starhub doesn't have a good deal with globe

 

[yujin86]

im using zym which roam on Globe, slighty better than SMART on eight. but zym ping is at least half of eight.

 

[BBCWatcher]

globe is the better network, but eight didn't offer that, likely starhub doesn't have a good deal with globe

im using zym which roam on Globe, slighty better than SMART on eight. but zym ping is at least half of eight.

FWIW OpenSignal reports that Smart has the best 5G coverage, Globe has the best overall coverage (4G+5G), and DITO shines in terms of network availability/reliability and fastest 5G downloads. (Not too surprising since DITO has a lot of 5G spectrum but way fewer customers than Smart and Globe have.)

A mixed bag, really.

 

[gnowyx]

FWIW OpenSignal reports that Smart has the best 5G coverage, Globe has the best overall coverage (4G+5G), and DITO shines in terms of network availability/reliability and fastest 5G downloads. (Not too surprising since DITO has a lot of 5G spectrum but way fewer customers than Smart and Globe have.)

A mixed bag, really.

but no coverage no need talk about speed liao

 

[amazingone]

globe is the better network, but eight didn't offer that, likely starhub doesn't have a good deal with globe

Singtel has direct stake with Globe, maybe that explains why Singtel and its MVNO are able to have Globe as their preferred roaming carrier in Philippines.

 

[gnowyx]

Singtel has direct stake with Globe, maybe that explains why Singtel and its MVNO are able to have Globe as their preferred roaming carrier in Philippines.

they are also part of bridge alliance

 

[TonyStark]

https://www.eight.com.sg/faq-renew-recharge-and-billing

How will I be billed for my mobile plan?

The plan deduction will be based on wallet balance first and then the payment methods (Credit/ Debit) card that you added into the account. Login to eight account.

If the wallet has no sufficient balance, we will deduction from the Credit/Debit card that you added into the account as there is no partial deduction available for the wallet

means my $6 balance inside will be stuck there forever?

update: ok i found a way to top up $2 to my balance

 

[jasonsouza77]

Maxis, U Mobile, or CelcomDigi? Or Eight?

eight. but i didnt check which network it roamed to though. is there a way to do so. but there was 4g on the screen