Eight Telecom discussion thread

[BBCWatcher]

When you roam using Eight in JB, do you set your Network Selection as “Automatic” or manual.
In my last few visits, I could no longer rely on Automatic. Instead I needed to manually select to Eight’s roaming partners.
using IPhone 13 btw

That's your choice. "Automatic" should work, but you can manually override your phone's automatic network selection if Eight has another roaming partner that you prefer.

 

[kitkat2]

When you roam using Eight in JB, do you set your Network Selection as “Automatic” or manual.
In my last few visits, I could no longer rely on Automatic. Instead I needed to manually select to Eight’s roaming partners.

using IPhone 13 btw

Maybe too many fake BTS at many popular spots in JB, especially right after you have crossed, when your phone loses SG telco connection and tries to search a new telco to connect to.

 

[mustsic]

Signed up for the $8 for 88 days 5G Lucky Eight Plan this month, but I just noticed my next recharge amount shows $14.80 instead of $8.

Anyone else seeing the same thing?

 

[xiaofan]

Signed up for the $8 for 88 days 5G Lucky Eight Plan this month, but I just noticed my next recharge amount shows $14.80 instead of $8.

Anyone else seeing the same thing?

Contact eight for help. That should not be correct.

https://www.eight.com.sg/help/promotions/

88 Days is Back! Mobile: Enjoy FREE 5G for 88 days!​

• What is this promotion about?​

  It’s our way of saying welcome to 5G! When you sign up for our  Lucky Eight $14.80 Plan, you’ll enjoy a special discounted rate of just $8/month for your first 3 months!

• How much will I pay after the first 3 months? ​

  Starting from your 4th month, your plan will automatically revert to the standard (and still awesome) price of  $14.80 per month. No hidden surprises!

 

[CPTMiller]

1) SIMBA and eight are similar, free incoming roaming SMS only, not possible to send outgoing SMS. This should not be an issue for most of the users through.

SIMBA FAQ
https://support.simba.sg/hc/en-us/articles/4487047558681-Does-roaming-cover-calls-and-SMS

SMS
Incoming SMSs are free. Outgoing SMSs are not supported while roaming.

2) Whether you choose SIMBA or eight for roaming will depend on the place you go.

If main line need incoming outgoing both calls and SMS.
What is the other available option exclude Simba Eight.
Local data stable speed plus with roaming data for china Hong Kong and Asia countries.
Any suggestion ?
Thank you

 

[xiaofan]

If main line need incoming outgoing both calls and SMS.
What is the other available option exclude Simba Eight.
Local data stable speed plus with roaming data for china Hong Kong and Asia countries.
Any suggestion ?
Thank you

First you have to ask yourself why you need outgoing SMS during roaming.

If you are sure:

1. The best option is probably StarHub 5G Unlimited+ plans which offer unlimited roaming calls and SMS. Lowest one is the S$22 per month 5G Lite plan (Passion Care offer at S$17.60 per month). But 5G Lite plan has only 1GB global roaming data and 1GB Asia roaming data. So you may need to pay for the hier tier plan if you need more roaming data.

Plan details.
https://consumer.starhub.com/personal/store/mobile-plans

FAQ:
https://www.starhub.com/personal/support/article.html?id=SHBjjvnTik5KcgZJVSoW87

2. If you are willing to pay for the very expensive "pay as you go" outgoing roaming SMS and incoming/outgoing roaming voice calls (incoming SMS is free), you can choose SingTel, Zym/Zero1/VIVIFI/CMLink, M1, CL and MR.

 

[mr168]

1. How often do you travel to China and Japan?
2. How much mobile data do you really need to use there?
3. Would you be financially better off buying a separate eSIM if you need more roaming data than Eight provides — compared to raising your monthly mobile phone bill every month?

You can still send outgoing SMS text messages using VoWiFi (a.k.a. "Wi-Fi Calling") even when outside Singapore — for Singapore mobile carriers that support VoWiFi with offshore access. In principle any Wi-Fi network with Internet access back to the Singapore carrier is viable. It could for example be an airplane Wi-Fi network, a public coffee shop Wi-Fi network, or a Wi-Fi network created by another mobile phone (a mobile hotspot).

i have 1 upcoming trip to japan in June. for sure the pathetic 2GB international roaming data under my existing plan is insufficient. another option is to upgrade/downgrade my plan to cater for the usage.

 

[gapboy]

When you roam using Eight in JB, do you set your Network Selection as “Automatic” or manual.
In my last few visits, I could no longer rely on Automatic. Instead I needed to manually select to Eight’s roaming partners.

using IPhone 13 btw

automatic is the best way.. sometime if the data is not stable i do manual scan ... depends on location

 

[gapboy]

i have 1 upcoming trip to japan in June. for sure the pathetic 2GB international roaming data under my existing plan is insufficient. another option is to upgrade/downgrade my plan to cater for the usage.

if 1 off trip just get a travel e-sim plan on shopee plenty of choices for japan

 

[mr168]

@mr168 if u r in China and Japan n dun want to miss your drama, eight will not be good but if u r using data for map, payment, searches then 2GB is good enough.

I reckon 2GB is really insufficient for China, especially we need data for googling and navigation.

 

[JAYSCS]

I reckon 2GB is really insufficient for China, especially we need data for googling and navigation.

You may download offline map beforehand or via WiFi, switch off your data and still can navigate solely via GPS. Just that the specific location is not live so you may turn on data only to check via Google on specific location info and details.

 

[BBCWatcher]

i have 1 upcoming trip to japan in June. for sure the pathetic 2GB international roaming data under my existing plan is insufficient. another option is to upgrade/downgrade my plan to cater for the usage.

I agree with @JAYSCS that you ought to figure out how offline maps work and start using them. They happen to work better everywhere, not just when roaming.

Also, checking esimdb.com, you can get an eSIM with 1GB of high speed data and unlimited 128 Kb/s data (good enough for Google searches, finding waypoints in Google Maps, summoning an Uber car, WhatsApp text messages, Apple iMessage text messages, etc.) valid for 7 days in Japan for...about S$0.95. If you want the same deal but with 30 days of validity that'll be shockingly expensive: about S$1.15.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[mr168]

I agree with @JAYSCS that you ought to figure out how offline maps work and start using them. They happen to work better everywhere, not just when roaming.

Also, checking esimdb.com, you can get an eSIM with 1GB of high speed data and unlimited 128 Kb/s data (good enough for Google searches, finding waypoints in Google Maps, summoning an Uber car, WhatsApp text messages, Apple iMessage text messages, etc.) valid for 7 days in Japan for...about S$0.95. If you want the same deal but with 30 days of validity that'll be shockingly expensive: about S$1.15.

Enjoy your trip.

guess we are too pampered with data overload here in singapore... never experience data anxiety before... thanks for the tips and will explore them! cheers!

 

[Mancunian2]

I reckon 2GB is really insufficient for China, especially we need data for googling and navigation.

Eight has plans that provides 28-36 GB roaming in China, just need to pay a few $ more for that month

don't understand why people dance around trees --- when a simple solution is right in their face

 

[sibeiTrolled]

don't understand why people dance around trees --- when a simple solution is right in their face

Everything boils down to cost.

Well, I kinda like the idea of porting out just for possibly one time overseas use. /S

Sounds fun and kinda extreme..kinky

 

[BBCWatcher]

Eight has plans that provides 28-36 GB roaming in China, just need to pay a few $ more for that month
don't understand why people dance around trees --- when a simple solution is right in their face

It's not difficult to get an eSIM. That's one operation! It's more difficult to switch mobile plans for one overseas trip because that's two operations: the switch "up," then the switch "down." And with "lost days" timing considerations.

"Shop around." It doesn't hurt! If switching your Eight plan is the best overall deal, OK, that's fantastic. But it's not the only deal available, at least assuming your phone supports eSIMs.

Everything boils down to cost.

Exactly, that's a major factor. This is the Eight thread, and it's reasonable to assume that Eight subscribers are cost sensitive. So why wouldn't they pay less for roaming data if they can? Often they can, and isn't that terrific?

Well, I kinda like the idea of porting out just for possibly one time overseas use. /S
Sounds fun and kinda extreme..kinky

Don't have to do that either. Keep your "base" Eight mobile plan as long as you want and, if/when that's not enough, you can add an eSIM with its own data allotment. No shop to visit, no queue to join, no weird "lost days" on your base plan. These convenient alternative choices exist.

 

[hereiam7788]

 

[xiaofan]

This is just the setting page.

Maybe you want to show 5GNR icon to show that Voice Over 5G SA is really working.

Then use an app to show that 5G SA is working.

 

[x3yang]

Eight has plans that provides 28-36 GB roaming in China, just need to pay a few $ more for that month

don't understand why people dance around trees --- when a simple solution is right in their face

I am using Eight 5G plan and just went China this month without buying additional SIM card. However, I notice that my data connections was not very good at Guangzhou. Not sure if its only me or there is some issue with Eight roaming partners in China. Still hoping that it was only me or maybe coverage in Guangzhou was not that good. I only managed to use 13gb during the 10 days trip.

On an additional note, I also tested using China wifi and the apps can load blazing fast. Even the roaming sim cards I got for my family still work decent.

 

[koohansen]

I am using Eight 5G plan and just went China this month without buying additional SIM card. However, I notice that my data connections was not very good at Guangzhou. Not sure if its only me or there is some issue with Eight roaming partners in China. Still hoping that it was only me or maybe coverage in Guangzhou was not that good. I only managed to use 13gb during the 10 days trip.

On an additional note, I also tested using China wifi and the apps can load blazing fast. Even the roaming sim cards I got for my family still work decent.

What phone are you using? Some phones has limited support for the mobile network bands there