SIMBA Telecom discussion thread

[Yihaoong]

Not sure if it will be forever. But hopefully at least until they can be a serious competitor to the big 3. Once the word spreads especially from trial users, that their coverage is good, they wiil be a competitor to the big 3. If they can last that long which I hope they do. The big 3 had a head start of a few decades. Will take some time for TPG to catch up.

When the big 3 launched mobile services decades ago, coverage was bad too as they were new. But given time, they managed to install more base stations to improve coverage to a satisfactory level. TPG experiencing growing pains like them.

Only difference, was the Big 3 then did not enter a saturated market with already established mobile telcos. They were the pioneers. So it was pioneers against pioneers.

But TPG entered late into a saturated market against big established telcos. Going to have to lose money before turning in profits.

Looking at all reports.
To minimize loss it better off selling the business.

With the merge in Australia, it doesn't look as great here.

Losing 5g license.

Expensive 4g license

 

[Reborn]

Looking at all reports.
To minimize loss it better off selling the business.

With the merge in Australia, it doesn't look as great here.

Losing 5g license.

Expensive 4g license

I thought got a TPG spinoff Tuas Ltd taking over? Whoever takes over will need to burn cash before turning in profits. 5G, TPG can only operate like a MVNO is it?

 

[myjunkid11]

I want them to succeed.

1. They provided a reasonably good infra FOC.
2. Compared to the existing telcos their connection speed is really good even when FOC users were exploiting them for a free ride.
3. Their first plan was priced very attractively compared to all the big and small players.

 

[highdiver_2000]

Hi, Anyone using TPG with Android 10?

I tried with Nitrogen OS and could not get a GPS lock, whereas on M1 all is fine.

I have even tried swapping SIM card location.

 

[Reborn]

I want them to succeed.

1. They provided a reasonably good infra FOC.
2. Compared to the existing telcos their connection speed is really good even when FOC users were exploiting them for a free ride.
3. Their first plan was priced very attractively compared to all the big and small players.

Yeah, would like them to succeed to. But since they don't own any 5G network, unlike 4G, can they still succeed?

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Any idea why my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 doesn't work with the TPG SIM? I see the signal symbol is 5 bars, but there is no mobile internet. I set to LTE/WCDMA/3G and on auto. Mobile Network is manau0ly selected as TPG. But cannot leh... no signal... no data... no data symbol in the notification bar... anyone can help?

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Any idea why my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 doesn't work with the TPG SIM? I see the signal symbol is 5 bars, but there is no mobile internet. I set to LTE/WCDMA/3G and on auto. Mobile Network is manau0ly selected as TPG. But cannot leh... no signal... no data... no data symbol in the notification bar... anyone can help?

EDIT: Solved it. Need to set APN manually.... now got internet. Thanks!

 

[joesph]

Hi, Anyone using TPG with Android 10?

I tried with Nitrogen OS and could not get a GPS lock, whereas on M1 all is fine.

I have even tried swapping SIM card location.

I am

Sent from Samsung SM-G980F using GAGT

 

[myjunkid11]

Yeah, would like them to succeed to. But since they don't own any 5G network, unlike 4G, can they still succeed?

5G, I don't see a crying need in the next 5 years. It may take a long time with lots of ecosystem products, so it is not even at the doorsteps.

By which time if the investors can pump in money to this upcoming challenger without much legacy like 2G or 3G, they should succeed.

With more and more devices, there is good chance to tap high volume but low income segment. The traffic light telcos are adamant to change their pricing and somehow want milk $30 for every SIM. Not a good approach.

 

[hereiam7788]

Not sure if it will be forever. But hopefully at least until they can be a serious competitor to the big 3. Once the word spreads especially from trial users, that their coverage is good, they wiil be a competitor to the big 3. If they can last that long which I hope they do. The big 3 had a head start of a few decades. Will take some time for TPG to catch up.

When the big 3 launched mobile services decades ago, coverage was bad too as they were new. But given time, they managed to install more base stations to improve coverage to a satisfactory level. TPG experiencing growing pains like them.

Only difference, was the Big 3 then did not enter a saturated market with already established mobile telcos. They were the pioneers. So it was pioneers against pioneers.

But TPG entered late into a saturated market against big established telcos. Going to have to lose money before turning in profits.

I want them to succeed.

1. They provided a reasonably good infra FOC.
2. Compared to the existing telcos their connection speed is really good even when FOC users were exploiting them for a free ride.
3. Their first plan was priced very attractively compared to all the big and small players.

the pricing is good and the free trial at zero cost is excellent.

however, they will struggle to survive. unlike MVNOs, they need to build the infra even now the 3 telcos are looking to 5G, TPG needs to make their 4G infra comparable to the 3 telcos in terms of coverage before it can even gain more subscribers that enough for them to sustain. giving the current number of paid subscribers and again need to fight with the competitions from MVNOs. not easy.

 

[hereiam7788]

5G, I don't see a crying need in the next 5 years. It may take a long time with lots of ecosystem products, so it is not even at the doorsteps.

By which time if the investors can pump in money to this upcoming challenger without much legacy like 2G or 3G, they should succeed.

With more and more devices, there is good chance to tap high volume but low income segment. The traffic light telcos are adamant to change their pricing and somehow want milk $30 for every SIM. Not a good approach.

technically nothing wrong for their target, $30 monthly paid by a subscriber, this amount maybe is even lower than 20 years price. recall how much red telco charged for a 'class' plan they had in the price, if not wrong, it is $28. that's one of the basic plan that will meet the need of most people and likely to incur extra cost such as extra talktime and sms used, IDD calls etc. 20 years now, people are paying as little as $0 (legacy circles life plan), $5 (circles life), $10 (myrepublic lite) with zero extra cost for excess usage or even IDD calls (since all can use VOIP too). Consider the inflation over 20 years and consider the increase of labour cost or operational cost, it is actually not easy for telcos too.

imagine for 5 million ppl in lion city are paying $10 per month nett. it means 5 mil x $10 = $50 mil monthly cost. to be shared among all MNPs/MVNOs, i dun think they can survive. haha.

 

[Jurong640]

I wonder who will be willing to be the first MVNO under TPG. Pricing will be interesting .

 

[hereiam7788]

I wonder who will be willing to be the first MVNO under TPG. Pricing will be interesting .

$1 or $2 plan for 10GB? haha.

 

[cscs3]

technically nothing wrong for their target, $30 monthly paid by a subscriber, this amount maybe is even lower than 20 years price. recall how much red telco charged for a 'class' plan they had in the price, if not wrong, it is $28. that's one of the basic plan that will meet the need of most people and likely to incur extra cost such as extra talktime and sms used, IDD calls etc. 20 years now, people are paying as little as $0 (legacy circles life plan), $5 (circles life), $10 (myrepublic lite) with zero extra cost for excess usage or even IDD calls (since all can use VOIP too). Consider the inflation over 20 years and consider the increase of labour cost or operational cost, it is actually not easy for telcos too.

imagine for 5 million ppl in lion city are paying $10 per month nett. it means 5 mil x $10 = $50 mil monthly cost. to be shared among all MNPs/MVNOs, i dun think they can survive. haha.

There is also coporate/business customer. TPG is suppose to be a full Telco. So service is not limited to voice and data subscription plan only.

 

[Jurong640]

$1 or $2 plan for 10GB? haha.

RIP Prepaid.

 

[hereiam7788]

There is also coporate/business customer. TPG is suppose to be a full Telco. So service is not limited to voice and data subscription plan only.

This is the prob why they are not easy to survive since their business in lion city since they are so limited unlike other MNPs. They do not even have a complete 4G infra to compete with them by serving normal consumers and they need to invest on the 4G infra first being even can make profits. Not to mention that they need to provide 5G infra too like other MNPs if they are continue to be which will be a huge investment to them again.

The greatest challenge is that not only they need to compete with the traffic light telcos, they are facing the challenges from MVNOs which are already offering cheap, good and much more usable plans (due to the fact that they tap on traffic telcos network) than them. Even for MVNOs who are just renting networks from the traffic lights are struggling to survive which some of them had already closed shop despite the cheap plans they offer. Looking at the fact that they have officially launched their mobile plan $10 50GB, how many have subscribed now is an initial indicator of whether they are success as of now. I recalled the news in May reported that they have 7000++ paid customers. Not sure if it has been significantly increased now, but to a MNP or even to a MVNO, it is a still not a great number.

cannot deny the fact majority of people are still with the traffic lights telcos as a lot of people they are not really aware of the presence of MVNOs as most of them do not have physical stores but purely doing business online. only those who are more tech savvy or more resourceful will get to know them. lion city market is still very small to be shared by so many companies.

nevertheless, i will still hope TPG will continue to sustain. as a consumer, we always like choices/options.

 

[myjunkid11]

technically nothing wrong for their target, $30 monthly paid by a subscriber, this amount maybe is even lower than 20 years price. recall how much red telco charged for a 'class' plan they had in the price, if not wrong, it is $28. that's one of the basic plan that will meet the need of most people and likely to incur extra cost such as extra talktime and sms used, IDD calls etc. 20 years now, people are paying as little as $0 (legacy circles life plan), $5 (circles life), $10 (myrepublic lite) with zero extra cost for excess usage or even IDD calls (since all can use VOIP too). Consider the inflation over 20 years and consider the increase of labour cost or operational cost, it is actually not easy for telcos too.

imagine for 5 million ppl in lion city are paying $10 per month nett. it means 5 mil x $10 = $50 mil monthly cost. to be shared among all MNPs/MVNOs, i dun think they can survive. haha.

We should not simply look at 2 decade old pricing and compare it now. Technology is cheaper now. Year after year you get a better configuration at a lower price in every type of hardware as the competitive forces are in play. So many functions are getting automated which reduces man power need at several places. 8 minute IDD call @ $10 looks like a dinosaur now, but it existed. Every nook and corner, SingTel used to have its payphone. All gone into the dustbin. So it is evolution.

 

[hereiam7788]

We should not simply look at 2 decade old pricing and compare it now. Technology is cheaper now. Year after year you get a better configuration at a lower price in every type of hardware as the competitive forces are in play. So many functions are getting automated which reduces man power need at several places. 8 minute IDD call @ $10 looks like a dinosaur now, but it existed. Every nook and corner, SingTel used to have its payphone. All gone into the dustbin. So it is evolution.

it is exactly due to the advance of technologies, thus their profit margins will be lower technically.

looking at the 4G vs 5G, for the same area that require 1 base-station for 4G to cover, it requires 6 to cover. the infra cost will increase. obviously when we move from 4G to 5G plans, the telcos are unlikely able to up the cost of the price plans too.

when ur selling price is high, it is easier to make profits, as company set profit margin based on the percentage against the selling price. as a contrast, when your selling is low, the nett profit you can get will be lower if assuming the profit margin remains. they need to sell more to get back the same nett profit, dun forget the fact last time, only 3 MNPs. now many many MVNOs and even one more MNP coming into the game.

consider how much nett profit that one can earn from a $10 plan per user vs $30 to $40 per user in the past.

if you still think that telcos are really making a lot of profits yearly even like 20 years ago, then you should look at the reports that show how they continue to have profits dropped over the year.

Feb 2020
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singtel-q3-profit-down-238-to-s6272m

May 2020 - Singtel Q4 profit falls 25.7% to S$574m
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singtel-q4-profit-falls-257-to-s574m

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

I have a few questions:

1. I have 3 lines (2 for parents) all signed on 17 Aug 2019. Since the trial is one year, I assume the expiry should be 17 Aug 2020. Would that be correct? Or is it strictly according to the cut off date that TPG specify?

2. All my lines with TPG are still working but I hardly use them. Would TPG inform me before they cut the lines or would the lines be automatically ported over to a pay plan?

3. I got the lines for use in Malaysia but this year they cut the roaming to Malaysia. So not much use for my parents but still useful for my tablet. Anyone knows if the roaming to Malaysia will be restored or never?

 

[andyqkw]

I have a few questions:

1. I have 3 lines (2 for parents) all signed on 17 Aug 2019. Since the trial is one year, I assume the expiry should be 17 Aug 2020. Would that be correct? Or is it strictly according to the cut off date that TPG specify?

2. All my lines with TPG are still working but I hardly use them. Would TPG inform me before they cut the lines or would the lines be automatically ported over to a pay plan?

3. I got the lines for use in Malaysia but this year they cut the roaming to Malaysia. So not much use for my parents but still useful for my tablet. Anyone knows if the roaming to Malaysia will be restored or never?

Information extracted from TPG website.

FOR EXISTING SERVICE TRIAL USERS

How do I enjoy free roaming services?

Roaming service is now available in the following countries:

Indonesia (Smartfren)*
Malaysia (Celcom).
Philippines (Smart).
Thailand (DTAC).
* VoLTE Voice Roaming supported.

You will need to:

1. Ensure your TPG SIM card is active for at least 24 hours while in Singapore before your trip to allow your SIM to be automatically updated with the latest parameters.

2. Enable Data Roaming when you are in one of our roaming destinations.

3. Set the Network Selection in your mobile device to 'Automatic'. Alternatively, you may manually select the networks as listed above.

4. Ensure your mobile device is configured with TPG APN Settings.


What is included in the roaming plan?

You can enjoy free unlimited data roaming in the countries listed above with speeds on a best effort basis.

If you are using a TPG VoLTE supported mobile device while roaming on a VoLTE supported roaming network, you will be able to make and receive calls to Singapore mobile and fixed lines from your existing service trial plan.

Otherwise, please download TPG 4G Voice app from Google Play or App Store to make and receive voice calls.



Are outgoing calls to overseas mobile and fixed lines supported?

Roaming calls to overseas mobile and fixed lines are available via our TPG 4G Voice App and on VoLTE where supported. Charges apply and the account balance must be topped up first.


What are the charges if I exceeded my plan limits?

If usage exceeds plan limits, the outgoing voice calls will be barred for the remainder of the monthly billing period except for Data.

To facilitate payment of extra minutes, access your Account Balance by logging into MyAccount. Click on Options > Mobile Number > Stored Value to start topping up your Account Balance

Will you be extending unlimited data roaming to other countries?

Yes! We will be launching more exciting roaming services. Do keep a lookout on this page for the latest update.



Information updated as of 1 June 2020.