SIMBA Telecom discussion thread

[twosix]

IMHO.
Generally, connectivity is location depend and that affects the maximum speed.
In your area, both are Singtel MVNOs, very likely is connectivity issue i.e. far from the LTE base station.
You're better off with another provider.

In my location with TPG, it is unlikely to be a connectivity issue as can be seen in one of the speedtest.
It is likely caused by the limited download bandwidth.

If far from base stn, then will have the same issue with Singtel, doesnt matter if mvnos or not. Anyway, 5G can get 200mbps, but 4G is dismal.

 

[acetylcholine]

I saw in the FAQ that an activation fee of $30 is chargeable for termination or port-out within 30 days of plan activation. So if I get the SIMBA SuperRoam plan solely for travelling overseas, the minimum subscription period is effectively two months if I don't want to pay the activation fee (i.e. 2 x $25 per month)? And termination has to be at least 7 business days before renewal so the subscription period will be roughly 1 month + 20 days.

 

[boonkang]

TLDR (too long don't read).

IMHO.
My location has been in existence for > 10 years.
TPG, being new and MNO, has every opportunity to built a good network for connectivity and speed.

Perhaps you could have missed out this important point.

* Mobile data speed/bandwidth can vary greatly at the exact same location with the same telco at different time of the day.

Let me share my usual speed with TPG

Time / Download / Upload
1452 / 3.96 / 3.86
1403 / 3.93 / 1.66
1011 / 2.15 / 0.73
0834 / 1.91 / 1.09
0645 / 36.7 / 1.61

Looking at your home speed, you can test Zym and Heya.Sg, easily exceed 100 Mbps and many time faster in upload speed. Also no contract. YMMV.

P.S. I am being nice saying 12 Mbps.

There are much less people using mobile data -- during 4am to 7am -- so of course it's natural that we get better mobile data bandwidth during that time of the day.

This is a combination of available (mobile data bandwdith) capacity + how that capacity is utilised / managed under different load conditions (throughout the day) -- both of which we do not know.

**
What you're trying to lead the discussion towards is this:

How much (mobile data) capacity been deployed / implemented at any location & how that capacity is utilised / managed throughout the day (or during different load conditions).

This type of capacity discussion will almost always lead to -- discussing how much bandwidth each user SHOULD get when using mobile data.

This type of discussion by right is necessary -- but in our local (SG) local context -- this discussion will eventually not be fruitful.

Why?

Because in SG, our IMDA only seems to require our telcos to qualify coverage & data connectivity -- i.e. how much percentage % coverage and how much of the time mobile data connectivity is available. See this link.

AFAIK (As far as I know),

IMDA does not (explicitly) require our (MNO) telcos to:
- Commit / Deploy a certain minimum level of (mobile data) capacity at any particular location.
- And how much mobile data bandwidth any user should get -- under different load conditions (throughout the day).

(If my understand of above is not correct, please share where to get above info. Thank you.)

This is WHY -- we get situatuons like when @Arandalo shared that during the Blackpink concert -- his SIL using Gomo 4G cannot load/use mobile data at all throughout (the concert).

ONE of the reason why SIMBA is often slow -- could be because SIMBA is configured to ensure as much as possible -- most users gets a little bandwdith (instead of ZERO bandwidth) most of the time.

The problem is:
- We do not know if telcos deploy (built) different levels of mobile data capacity at different locations.
- Different telcos may deploy (built) different levels of mobile data capacity -- even at the same location.
- What metrics do we use to determine when & where & HOW MUCH mobile data capacity needs to be improved (as the years pass by).

SIMBA may have more capacity at my location compared to yours -- so I experienced better SIMBA bandwidth.
(or my location simply has much less SIMBA users compared to your location -- so again less capacity issue).

If we know for certain -- that SIMBA has deployed (built) much lower capacity at your location compared to other locations -- it may may viable to write in to SIMBA asking them to justify why your location has lower capacity resulting in the poor SIMBA bandwidth you experienced.

But we just do not know.

As users - we can complain (to both IMDA & SIMBA) -- but this doesn't mean SIMBA will proceed to remedy the situation within a certain time (or they may even choose not to take any action at all).

**
The other thing is that:
Changes or improvements in (mobile data) capacity may not always be easy or even commercially viable.

It's not just SIMBA.

The big 3 telcos have been in SG for many more years than SIMBA -- and yet these 3 big telcos all have cases of poor bandwidth at certain locations -- not addressed for years.

It all boils down to the culture in SG (as implemented by our govt) -- which is pro-business.

We do not require business / companies / corporations to provide a minimium level of service to all users at all times.

(Again, I refer you to what @Arandalo shared that during the Blackpink concert -- his SIL using Gomo 4G cannot load/use mobile data i.e. zero bandwdith throughout the concert).

 

[turtle2018]

IMHO.
My location has been in existence for > 10 years.
TPG, being new and MNO, has every opportunity to built a good network for connectivity and speed.

Perhaps you could have missed out this important point.

* Mobile data speed/bandwidth can vary greatly at the exact same location with the same telco at different time of the day.

Let me share my usual speed with TPG

Time / Download / Upload
1452 / 3.96 / 3.86
1403 / 3.93 / 1.66
1011 / 2.15 / 0.73
0834 / 1.91 / 1.09
0645 / 36.7 / 1.61

Looking at your home speed, you can test Zym and Heya.Sg, easily exceed 100 Mbps and many time faster in upload speed. Also no contract. YMMV.

P.S. I am being nice saying 12 Mbps.

Indeed true.
I was at a B2 Foodcourt, & did the speedtest on my mobile (simba) in the same seat.

1650hrs: 73.0 (D), 8.28 (U)
1659hrs: 54.8 (D), 8.45 (U)



Now at home, I tested again (1845hrs): 13.5 (D), 3.67 (U)

 

[keenklee]

If far from base stn, then will have the same issue with Singtel, doesnt matter if mvnos or not. Anyway, 5G can get 200mbps, but 4G is dismal.

IMHO.
While base station is important, those on Singtel network have speed cap for download and upload. IME, usually 3 digits for download and 2 digits for upload. TPG speed cap is 2 digits download unless you are in their good zones and 1 digit for upload.

Zym 5G possible to get 4-digits.

 

[keenklee]

Indeed true.
I was at a B2 Foodcourt, & did the speedtest on my mobile (simba) in the same seat.

1650hrs: 73.0 (D), 8.28 (U)
1659hrs: 54.8 (D), 8.45 (U)



Now at home, I tested again (1845hrs): 13.5 (D), 3.67 (U)

IMHO.
Usually the allocation is more for public places.
You home speed is good enough. Remind me of my 3G speed.

 

[turtle2018]

IMHO.
Usually the allocation is more for public places.
You home speed is good enough. Remind me of my 3G speed.

At home, usually use home broadband, so mobile speed not so important unless home broadband is down.

I'm on M1 500 Mbps home broadband plan. Just tested (1855hrs): 160 (D), 144 (U). Is this reasonable?

 

[twosix]

IMHO.
Usually the allocation is more for public places.
You home speed is good enough. Remind me of my 3G speed.

My home speed is 90mbps with simba, same as street speed. That's why prefer Simba to Singtel. But thrn again, at home use bb.

 

[keenklee]

TLDR (too long don't read).


There are much less people using mobile data -- during 4am to 7am -- so of course it's natural that we get better mobile data bandwidth during that time of the day.

This is a combination of available (mobile data bandwdith) capacity + how that capacity is utilised / managed under different load conditions (throughout the day) -- both of which we do not know.

**
What you're trying to lead the discussion towards is this:

How much (mobile data) capacity been deployed / implemented at any location & how that capacity is utilised / managed throughout the day (or during different load conditions).

This type of capacity discussion will almost always lead to -- discussing how much bandwidth each user SHOULD get when using mobile data.

This type of discussion by right is necessary -- but in our local (SG) local context -- this discussion will eventually not be fruitful.

Why?

Because in SG, our IMDA only seems to require our telcos to qualify coverage & data connectivity -- i.e. how much percentage % coverage and how much of the time mobile data connectivity is available. See this link.

AFAIK (As far as I know),

IMDA does not (explicitly) require our (MNO) telcos to:
- Commit / Deploy a certain minimum level of (mobile data) capacity at any particular location.
- And how much mobile data bandwidth any user should get -- under different load conditions (throughout the day).

(If my understand of above is not correct, please share where to get above info. Thank you.)

This is WHY -- we get situatuons when @Arandalo shared that during the Blackpink concert -- his SIL using Gomo 4G cannot load/use mobile data at all throughout (the concert).

ONE of the reason why SIMBA is often slow -- could be because SIMBA is configured to ensure as much as possible -- most users gets a little bandwdith (instead of ZERO bandwidth) most of the time.

The problem is:
- We do not know if telcos deploy (built) different levels of mobile data capacity at different locations.
- Different telcos may deploy (built) different levels of mobile data capacity -- even at the same location.
- What metrics do we use to determine when & where & HOW MUCH mobile data capacity needs to be improved (as the years pass by).

SIMBA may have more capacity at my location compared to yours -- so I experienced better SIMBA bandwidth.
(or my location simply has much less SIMBA users compared to your location -- so again less capacity issue).

If we know for certain -- that SIMBA has deployed (built) much lower capacity at your location compared to other locations -- it may may viable to write in to SIMBA asking them to justify why your location has lower capacity resulting in the poor SIMBA bandwidth you experienced.

But we just do not know.

As users - we can complain (to both IMDA & SIMBA) -- but this doesn't mean SIMBA will proceed to remedy the situation within a certain time (or they may even choose not to take any action at all).

**
The other thing is that:
Changes or improvements in (mobile data) capacity may not always be easy or even commercially viable.

It's not just SIMBA.

The big 3 telcos have been in SG for many more years than SIMBA -- and yet these 3 big telcos all have cases of poor bandwidth at certain locations -- not addressed for years.

It all boils down to the culture in SG (as implemented by our govt) -- which is pro-business.

We do not require business / companies / corporations to provide a minimium level of service to all users at all times.

(Again, I refer you to what @Arandalo shared that during the Blackpink concert -- his SIL using Gomo 4G cannot load/use mobile data i.e. zero bandwdith throughout the concert).

IMHO.
We don't know ?
To know enough, just do enough speed test.
I have 2 mobiles for speedtest. Usually is speedtest TPG and then speedtest Zym or Heya.Sg.

I can only say one set of 4G frequency is wasted and lack of foresight.
I always like to cite this example - 4 lane expressway but only 1 or 2 lanes used.
Write to Simba is no use. If they are interested in this issue, can always PM me.

If at the BlackPink concert no data, just go for MNO. Price performance. Unless MNO doesn't perform - but then, no one really knows. Maybe I free, I go test Singtel and Simba at Blackpink concern.

 

[keenklee]

At home, usually use home broadband, so mobile speed not so important unless home broadband is down.

I'm on M1 500 Mbps home broadband plan. Just tested (1855hrs): 160 (D), 144 (U). Is this reasonable?

IMHO.
At home, the most important is latency. If not, will be out-bidded in live sales.
Generally, e.g. Heya.SG has better download/upload ping and jitter then Simba.

Your broadband speed is Wifi is adequate.
My Singtel-500Mbps is down/up 562 and 565.

 

[keenklee]

I saw in the FAQ that an activation fee of $30 is chargeable for termination or port-out within 30 days of plan activation. So if I get the SIMBA SuperRoam plan solely for travelling overseas, the minimum subscription period is effectively two months if I don't want to pay the activation fee (i.e. 2 x $25 per month)? And termination has to be at least 7 business days before renewal so the subscription period will be roughly 1 month + 20 days.

IMHO.
That's about right.
In the termination request online, you can specific end of cycle and there is an indication of 7 business day i.e. 9 days.

 

[zhiming1]

review from xiamen，china

$25/mth esim, iphone pro14.
data can work upon arrival. only 4g.
speed cant compared with local china unicom 5g sim which is way faster. i use it in same phone.
only good thing is with simba can access banned sites,services like google,facebook,whatsapp

 

[Jurong640]

review from xiamen，china

$25/mth esim, iphone pro14.
data can work upon arrival. only 4g.
speed cant compared with local china unicom 5g sim which is way faster. i use it in same phone.
only good thing is with simba can access banned sites,services like google,facebook,whatsapp

wah. that's good. What im waiting for is someone going China and roam with Simba. Good to know that google services is accessible using simba apn. You roam on which network? China Mobile or China Unicom?

 

[froztheart]

review from xiamen，china

$25/mth esim, iphone pro14.
data can work upon arrival. only 4g.
speed cant compared with local china unicom 5g sim which is way faster. i use it in same phone.
only good thing is with simba can access banned sites,services like google,facebook,whatsapp

Sorry, you've gotten your China Unicom in China locally when you landed or?

 

[zhiming1]

Sorry, you've gotten your China Unicom in China locally when you landed or?

yes,get it locally at china unicom shop.

i roam with china unicom too ( 中国联通）

 

[froztheart]

yes,get it locally at china unicom shop.

i roam with china unicom too ( 中国联通）

May I know what's the required documents? is there any changes apart from passport.
I last recalled that have to terminate the line before returning otherwise will be blacklisted, do you happen to know and advise?
Have a trip upcoming so want to understand and be better prepared.

 

[Jurong640]

review from xiamen，china

$25/mth esim, iphone pro14.
data can work upon arrival. only 4g.
speed cant compared with local china unicom 5g sim which is way faster. i use it in same phone.
only good thing is with simba can access banned sites,services like google,facebook,whatsapp

May i also know which network you connected to when you roam with simba in china?
How much you paid for visa there, holiday or business visa?

 

[zhiming1]

May I know what's the required documents? is there any changes apart from passport.
I last recalled that have to terminate the line before returning otherwise will be blacklisted, do you happen to know and advise?
Have a trip upcoming so want to understand and be better prepared.

need passport, all plans minimum 1 year contract. cheapest at china telecom is rmb 38/mth, china unicom rmb 19/mth.

 

[zhiming1]

May i also know which network you connected to when you roam with simba in china?
How much you paid for visa there, holiday or business visa?

china unicom.

i come in with apec card. no need visa.

 

[zhiming1]

1 issue is not able to hotspot in china. i amvery sure, i have the apn settings right but once u are overseas, u cant see the settings