Eight Telecom discussion thread

[frizee]

If any of you guys have experience with sim replacement do let me know if it's FOC or not lol

 

[wjleong15]

Just tried 5g this month
On iphone
Notice need to on 5g sa only maintain 5g
If off 5g sa, even use 5g on instead of 5g auto
It always drop to 4g
Not a good experience
Also speed not much difference in a few crowded areas such as Kranji Caldecott
Next month go back double eight

 

[JAYSCS]

Just tried 5g this month
On iphone
Notice need to on 5g sa only maintain 5g
If off 5g sa, even use 5g on instead of 5g auto
It always drop to 4g
Not a good experience
Also speed not much difference in a few crowded areas such as Kranji Caldecott
Next month go back double eight

5G is just a see-shiok-on-screen show piece, a gimmick given its tendency to fall back to 4G connection due to its weak wall penetration. 4G is still the backbone for mobile connection, what it needs is to address the congestion issue, hopefully improved when 5G NSA completely ceases.

 

[BBCWatcher]

5G is just a see-shiok-on-screen show piece, a gimmick given its tendency to fall back to 4G connection due to its weak wall penetration. 4G is still the backbone for mobile connection, what it needs is to address the congestion issue, hopefully improved when 5G NSA completely ceases.

That's not really a 5G versus 4G difference per se. The three 5G mobile network operators in Singapore (Singtel, Antina, and SIMBA) have rolled out 5G on their higher frequency bands first. That makes perfect sense.

However, Wikipedia says that Singtel has rolled out 5G on band n28 which is in the 700 MHz range. Band n28 is excellent for trying to reach inside buildings, parking garages, and lifts. However, if your phone needs to switch to n28 it's highly likely going to be a slower connection with or without 5G. But you'd probably prefer a slower 4G or 5G connection versus none at all.

 

[JAYSCS]

That's not really a 5G versus 4G difference per se. The three 5G mobile network operators in Singapore (Singtel, Antina, and SIMBA) have rolled out 5G on their higher frequency bands first. That makes perfect sense.

However, Wikipedia says that Singtel has rolled out 5G on band n28 which is in the 700 MHz range. Band n28 is excellent for trying to reach inside buildings, parking garages, and lifts. However, if your phone needs to switch to n28 it's highly likely going to be a slower connection with or without 5G. But you'd probably prefer a slower 4G or 5G connection versus none at all.

For the time being, it has to be a comparison given there is price plan difference. Till when price plans do not differentiate by 4G and 5G (like the case for later stage in 3G and 4G), then this argument will not be necessary. Isn't it ironic that 5G is adopting a lower band when a 4G connection solves the problem, this is like pretending a 5G connection with a 4G speed? It is a pure exploitation of users, treating users as fools.

 

[xiaofan]

That's not really a 5G versus 4G difference per se. The three 5G mobile network operators in Singapore (Singtel, Antina, and SIMBA) have rolled out 5G on their higher frequency bands first. That makes perfect sense.

However, Wikipedia says that Singtel has rolled out 5G on band n28 which is in the 700 MHz range. Band n28 is excellent for trying to reach inside buildings, parking garages, and lifts. However, if your phone needs to switch to n28 it's highly likely going to be a slower connection with or without 5G. But you'd probably prefer a slower 4G or 5G connection versus none at all.

Now Antina also has 700MHz deployment as per the reports in this forum.

SingTel has the early lead though. As per Gomo website, SingTel 700MHz band was deployed to Gomo users since 7 Feb 2025.
https://www.gomo.sg/5g

 

[xiaofan]

But I think Gomo (or SingTel, or ST MVNOs) websites overstated the benefits of 700 MHz.

Example from Gomo.
https://www.gomo.sg/5g

This network innovation includes the 700MHz spectrum — on top of the usual 2.1GHz and 3.5GHz bands and delivers a better combination of speed, capacity and coverage.

Enjoy extensive coverage even deep indoors, from underground carparks to lifts, with increased signal strength by up to 40% - so you can stay connected seamlessly!

 

[xiaofan]

From SingTel

Good thing is that they dare not to mention underground MRT tunnels...

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/5g-plus/faq

Singtel 5G+ is the next-gen evolution of our 5G network that sets a new global standard in everyday mobile connectivity. It’s only 5G+ network in Singapore with 700MHz spectrum for the best coverage, even deep indoors.  

With increased signal strength of up to 40% in high-rise, underground and remote areas across Singapore, Singtel customers can enjoy uninterrupted calls and data services even in locations like basement carparks, HDB estates and high-rise buildings. 

The great news is if you’re on a Singtel 5G plan, you’ve already been upgraded to our 5G+ network in May (2025). What’s more, from 25 July (2025), all 5G+ Enhanced and 5G+ Priority mobile plans will enjoy the 5G+ Upsize with more speed, more data, more roaming and more rewards.

...

 

[Tedicious]

From SingTel

Good thing is that they dare not to mention underground MRT tunnels...

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/5g-plus/faq

Singtel 5G+ is the next-gen evolution of our 5G network that sets a new global standard in everyday mobile connectivity. It’s only 5G+ network in Singapore with 700MHz spectrum for the best coverage, even deep indoors.  

With increased signal strength of up to 40% in high-rise, underground and remote areas across Singapore, Singtel customers can enjoy uninterrupted calls and data services even in locations like basement carparks, HDB estates and high-rise buildings. 

The great news is if you’re on a Singtel 5G plan, you’ve already been upgraded to our 5G+ network in May (2025). What’s more, from 25 July (2025), all 5G+ Enhanced and 5G+ Priority mobile plans will enjoy the 5G+ Upsize with more speed, more data, more roaming and more rewards.

...

ST signal is all dead on EWL from tanjong pagar to tiong Bahru

 

[neptunesea]

But I think Gomo (or SingTel, or ST MVNOs) websites overstated the benefits of 700 MHz.

In my office lift (high rise), i get full bars on singtel n28, though usable bandwidth is only around 10mbps, while both eight and simba go completely dead. Although the ride is less than 2 minutes, having a connection would be useful in case of emergency.


I managed to get 200mbps on singtel n28 back in jan 2025, inside a shophouse at boat quay. SIMBA only had a single bar and was good for nothing.

 

[Honda_typeR]

If any of you guys have experience with sim replacement do let me know if it's FOC or not lol

I change physical bad network foc

 

[xiaofan]

In my office lift (high rise), i get full bars on singtel n28, though usable bandwidth is only around 10mbps, while both eight and simba go completely dead. Although the ride is less than 2 minutes, having a connection would be useful in case of emergency.

I managed to get 200mbps on singtel n28 back in jan 2025, inside a shophouse at boat quay. SIMBA only had a single bar and was good for nothing.

For sure 700 MHz is useful. Now I have slow 5G SA, 5G NSA or 4G access in some weak signal areas which used to have no signals at all.

And I can see the n78 5G coverage getting better for both Singtel and Starhub/M1 (Antina).

But then in some lifts, no signal is still no signal for all three.

Somehow in my workplace, Stahub 4G network is better than Singtel/M1 4G network in quite a few areas. Starhub/M1 5G and Singtel 5G are similar in terms of coverage (cannot cover some areas).

So in my workplace, overall, my Starhub Prepaid S 5G is better than my other three active lines now: Singtel S$15.28 line, Zym S$10.1 4G line with free 5G trial and M1 Maxx S$12 line.

 

[DenOOO]

https://www.eight.com.sg/locations/service-centres/

Hi for sim card replacement, is it really as per the above link, only these few locations?

Any idea what happens if I fail to renew my plan and there's balance inside? (For my case auto-renew is not enabled and I lost my sim)

There is a 60-days grace period after expiry of plan.

Your balance should be quite safe.

 

[xiaofan]

ST signal is all dead on EWL from tanjong pagar to tiong Bahru

Indeed that is a diffcult area, along with NSL (around Orchard area), all telcos, not only Singtel.

 

[Tedicious]

Indeed that is a diffcult area, along with NSL (around Orchard area), all telcos, not only Singtel.

Ya I realised in orchard mrt oso esp in the TEL (brown line). Not even in train but along the train platform, signal not working even though full bar

 

[gapboy]

ST signal is all dead on EWL from tanjong pagar to tiong Bahru

Telcos will tell you they have no control ... old infra network .. i usually stop using till i gone above ground after work .. 80% not usable on ST network .. same for Maxx

 

[BBCWatcher]

For the time being, it has to be a comparison given there is price plan difference.

Now Antina also has 700MHz deployment as per the reports in this forum.

OK, to net it out, 5G can penetrate buildings, lifts, and parking garages about as well as 4G LTE can provided you're connected to a Singtel or Antina tower offering low band (700 MHz) 5G coverage. Yes, you usually have to pay more for 5G service. But if you've been avoiding a 5G plan because you're worried about whether you'll get any 5G service inside buildings, lifts, and parking garages, that shouldn't be a concern. (SIMBA doesn't currently offer low band 5G but also doesn't charge anything extra for their 5G service.)

Obviously there are many subscribers who don't see the value in paying extra for 5G. That's still true even with low band 5G deployments. Likewise, many subscribers don't want to pay extra for a better QCI (better network priority). That's fine, too.

 

[Habrosus]

https://www.eight.com.sg/locations/service-centres/

Hi for sim card replacement, is it really as per the above link, only these few locations?

Any idea what happens if I fail to renew my plan and there's balance inside? (For my case auto-renew is not enabled and I lost my sim)

If auto-renewal not enabled and it's less than 60 days since the last plan expired, you can manually activate a new plan from your app.

Since you've lost your SIM card, I'd suggest getting a replacement from one of the service centres. Can get them to help activate your line there.

 

[kun1he2]

When we encounter locations with very bad connectivity, is there any channel that we can send a report to?

 

[Tedicious]

When we encounter locations with very bad connectivity, is there any channel that we can send a report to?

If it's a place you often visit it's faster to change Telco cos implementation will be much slower as eight will have to report the problem back to starhub before starhub takes action