SIMBA Telecom discussion thread

[CPTMiller]

Hi guys, like to check if I didn't renew my plan after 30 days. Can I still port out the line ?

You need to pay existing line renewal first then consider active line to port out .

 

[Habrosus]

Simba while showing 4G in tunnel between Holland Village and Farrer Road. Maxx was showing 5G but slower speeds.

Posted, still in tunnel, with Maxx 5G.

 

[dgeralds]

Hi All. I plan to get a 2nd permanent SIM (costing no more $10) primarily for travels. Is SIMBA is the best for data roaming purposes?

 

[BBCWatcher]

I plan to get a 2nd permanent SIM (costing no more $10) primarily for travels. Is SIMBA is the best for data roaming purposes?

SIMBA, Eight, and Maxx cover the most countries/territories within their base plans. But if you don't travel much outside the region there could be some better options.

 

[sbl2560]

Hi All. I plan to get a 2nd permanent SIM (costing no more $10) primarily for travels. Is SIMBA is the best for data roaming purposes?

I have Senior plan for a second Sim. Useful for travel.

 

[joesph]

earlier this year 141 top up lasted more than a week

 

[dreamcast18]

I have Senior plan for a second Sim. Useful for travel.

concur..even for JB trips..very useful

 

[kitkat2]

Simba while showing 4G in tunnel between Holland Village and Farrer Road. Maxx was showing 5G but slower speeds.

Posted, still in tunnel, with Maxx 5G.

so Simba 4G is better than Maxx 5G?

 

[Jurong640]

so Simba 4G is better than Maxx 5G?

only for that tunnel, if you stay there always.

 

[BBCWatcher]

so Simba 4G is better than Maxx 5G?

only for that tunnel, if you stay there always.

It’s hard to be definitive even about that. It could’ve been the particular time or the particular device’s predilections. Or throughput might’ve improved on M1 Maxx by switching off 5G. Or M1 Maxx 5G didn’t have a great backend connection to that particular speed test server, but another speed test server might’ve shown something different.

 

[Habrosus]

Actually it's more for those who insist Simba sucks.

It's alright coz I rather not encounter an overload situation.

 

[kitkat2]

Actually it's more for those who insist Simba sucks.

It's alright coz I rather not encounter an overload situation.

it would be more convincing if you can test every section of the tunnel

 

[dreamcast18]

Actually it's more for those who insist Simba sucks.

It's alright coz I rather not encounter an overload situation.

Simba sux in some areas but for the price, am not complaining. Surprisingly it works better than my wifi at home at times.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Hi All. I plan to get a 2nd permanent SIM (costing no more $10) primarily for travels. Is SIMBA is the best for data roaming purposes?

SIMBA, Eight, and Maxx cover the most countries/territories within their base plans. But if you don't travel much outside the region there could be some better options.

One economical strategy for international roaming that works for many people is simply to get a separate roaming data eSIM if your phone supports eSIMs. For example, according to esimdb.com Keepgo is selling a 1.1GB (total using an esimdb.com promo code) eSIM with no expiration (!) for US$3 that works in 153 countries/territories including weird ones like Afghanistan. Or US$2 if you want the 100 country/territory version. A 1.1 GB allotment lasts a very long time if you’re simply using WhatsApp text messages and summoning a ride using Grab or an equivalent app — then quickly shut off mobile data once your ride arrives. (And you otherwise stick to Wi-Fi for app downloads, downloading offline maps, email, video, audio, etc. And set your phone to low data mode.) Meanwhile, while you’re in Singapore, pay only $3.30 per month for Circles.Life (current deal), for example.

In other words, even if you travel internationally, the best overall deal may not be with a local plan that offers much or any international roaming. The lowest cost local plan could still work best for you.

I should also point out that some carriers support VoWifi (”Wi-Fi Calling”), and they may not charge any extra for that service when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network outside Singapore (but check that). When you’re connected to a hotel, coffee shop, or airport Wi-Fi network your phone can support voice calls and SMS text messages via VoWifi. Incoming SMS text messages via VoWifi should always be free, even for carriers that charge international roaming fees for VoWifi use overseas.

 

[Habrosus]

it would be more convincing if you can test every section of the tunnel

It's a moving train so I didn't think the results are going to be fair. Only thought of doing it as I happened to have both SIM cards in the same phone. Gave up halfway.

I don't really bother with such numbers so long as my surfing goes smoothly.

 

[A7997A]

One economical strategy for international roaming that works for many people is simply to get a separate roaming data eSIM if your phone supports eSIMs. For example, according to esimdb.com Keepgo is selling a 1.1GB (total using an esimdb.com promo code) eSIM with no expiration (!) for US$3 that works in 153 countries/territories including weird ones like Afghanistan. Or US$2 if you want the 100 country/territory version. A 1.1 GB allotment lasts a very long time if you’re simply using WhatsApp text messages and summoning a ride using Grab or an equivalent app — then quickly shut off mobile data once your ride arrives. (And you otherwise stick to Wi-Fi for app downloads, downloading offline maps, email, video, audio, etc. And set your phone to low data mode.) Meanwhile, while you’re in Singapore, pay only $3.30 per month for Circles.Life (current deal), for example.

This would really make sense with the CL $3.30 plan, but if you are on eight $8 or Simba $10, the advantage isn't all that great, esp taking into account the additional effort to get that travel esim everytime you are travelling.
Also 1.1Gb might be plenty for whatsapp or ride app, but when I am finding information on the move, that would not be enough for 1/2 the duration of my avg trip.

I should also point out that some carriers support VoWifi (”Wi-Fi Calling”), and they may not charge any extra for that service when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network outside Singapore (but check that). When you’re connected to a hotel, coffee shop, or airport Wi-Fi network your phone can support voice calls and SMS text messages via VoWifi. Incoming SMS text messages via VoWifi should always be free, even for carriers that charge international roaming fees for VoWifi use overseas.

This is also an area where Simba shines. My experience for eight wasn't as good, but in the past quarter or so eight appears to have significantly improve this.

 

[BBCWatcher]

This would really make sense with the CL $3.30 plan, but if you are on eight $8 or Simba $10, the advantage isn't all that great, esp taking into account the additional effort to get that travel esim everytime you are travelling.

Did you catch the part where there’s no expiration? With that particular offer you get 1.1GB in 100 countries for US$2 or in 153 countries for US$3, and that’s a one-time charge until you use up the data. If that’s across 5, 8, or 11 trips, no problem. And that’s just one pair of offers. There are many others.

For comparison, SIMBA includes roaming in “60+ countries,” and it looks like Eight includes roaming in 64 countries. Not 100, not 153.

I’m simply pointing out that the local plan’s bundled international roaming might not be relevant to getting the best overall deal. And that’s surely correct. For example, bundled roaming is definitely not part of the best overall deal when visiting the scores of countries that are not included in the bundled roaming allotments.

Also, you might hate the bundled roaming partner network in the country(ies) you visit. Separate eSIMs let you pick your preferred roaming network(s).

Also 1.1Gb might be plenty for whatsapp or ride app, but when I am finding information on the move, that would not be enough for 1/2 the duration of my avg trip.

OK, but see above. And that’s you, assuming you’re visiting once of the 60-odd countries…and don’t blow through the bundled allotment either. YMMV.

 

[dilphinus]

Hi All. I plan to get a 2nd permanent SIM (costing no more $10) primarily for travels. Is SIMBA is the best for data roaming purposes?

Best option for me cos I'm living in 4 countries. China, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. Majority of time in China. The allowance is more than sufficient and I don't usually use more than 1/4 of the 18GB. The remaining 8GB is usually untouched.

When I travel these days, I don't bother getting another sim card for that country. I just use Simba.

When I'm back in Singapore, I don't even bother switching to wifi when at home.

 

[A7997A]

Did you catch the part where there’s no expiration? With that particular offer you get 1.1GB in 100 countries for US$2 or in 153 countries for US$3, and that’s a one-time charge until you use up the data. If that’s across 5, 8, or 11 trips, no problem. And that’s just one pair of offers. There are many others.

For comparison, SIMBA includes roaming in “60+ countries,” and it looks like Eight includes roaming in 64 countries. Not 100, not 153.

I’m simply pointing out that the local plan’s bundled international roaming might not be relevant to getting the best overall deal. And that’s surely correct. For example, bundled roaming is definitely not part of the best overall deal when visiting the scores of countries that are not included in the bundled roaming allotments.

Also, you might hate the bundled roaming partner network in the country(ies) you visit. Separate eSIMs let you pick your preferred roaming network(s).

OK, but see above. And that’s you, assuming you’re visiting once of the 60-odd countries…and don’t blow through the bundled allotment either. YMMV.

There is no plan in the world that can ensure you get coverage that you like for all destination.
However a suitable plan that cover the most common destinations would be useful, esp when it hardly cost anything more than the alternatives. I am not aware of any plans lower than eight's $8 that has VoWifi support, which is very useful for oversea usage. CL's $3 plan don't count, since it is no longer listed. Neither would senior plan since it is not available to all.

Simba & eight allotment has so far been sufficient for most of my recent needs, if I need something additional an esim could certainly come in useful, but I see them as complimenting what I have rather then being the focus.

Also I am not able to find the prices you mentioned either on esimdb.com or keepgo. Was that a coupon code posted on external site ?

 

[BBCWatcher]

CL's $3 plan don't count, since it is no longer listed.

It doesn’t count now. It did/does for those who jumped on it.

Neither would senior plan since it is not available to all.

If you’re 60+ obviously senior plans count very much.

Also I am not able to find the prices you mentioned either on esimdb.com or keepgo. Was that a coupon code posted on external site ?

Look at the global plans with no expiration. Click/tap on any of Keepgo‘s plans. The 100MB plans with 1GB promo code yield 1.1 GB of data.