SIMBA Telecom discussion thread

[cjjj59]

Has anyone successfully purchased a new/eSIM card while overseas(in Malaysia) and used it for roaming?

I’m planning to buy a $12 SIM card for my parents and add the eSIM to their phone in Malaysia before they leave for China. However, I’m concerned that the SIM card must first connect to Singapore before it can be used for overseas roaming.

Would it be better to purchase the physical SIM card, connect it to the network once when I in SH, and then insert it into their phone before they leave for China?

 

[dreamcast18]

Did you take note of the local providers at these places.

Thanks

Nope. 5g at both places and with uninterrupted speed/bandwidth..didn't need to search for another provider.

 

[dreamcast18]

Has anyone successfully purchased a new/eSIM card while overseas(in Malaysia) and used it for roaming?

I’m planning to buy a $12 SIM card for my parents and add the eSIM to their phone in Malaysia before they leave for China. However, I’m concerned that the SIM card must first connect to Singapore before it can be used for overseas roaming.

Would it be better to purchase the physical SIM card, connect it to the network once when I in SH, and then insert it into their phone before they leave for China?

eSIM should be fine. U need to connect to wifi to activate. Anyways.

 

[tidus792]

eSIM should be fine. U need to connect to wifi to activate. Anyways.

Can activate overseas without connecting to Singapore network at all?

Mind providing some screenshots of that policy?
(It's not standard practice to be able to activate new sim cards overseas).

 

[dreamcast18]

Can activate overseas without connecting to Singapore network at all?
Not bad (it's a huge security risk though).

I think as long as its a current account (not new account)...that said..no gurantee. I activated my US google one with no issue in SG but I had an existing PSIM. Iphone should be straightforward. Can't say that about other phones.

 

[tidus792]

I think as long as its a current account (not new account)...that said..no gurantee. I activated my US google one with no issue in SG but I had an existing PSIM. Iphone should be straightforward. Can't say that about other phones.

In 2025, I find many telco policies in the world have been rapidly evolving to restrict activation of new number sim cards overseas (Likely to combat scam)

Eight is the only company that explicitly states that it has to be activated in SG and I suspect that's the norm in SG. (I would like to be proven wrong).

 

[dreamcast18]

In 2025, I find many telco policies in the world have been rapidly evolving to restrict activation of new number sim cards overseas (Likely to combat scam)

Eight is the only company that explicitly states that it has to be activated in SG and I suspect that's the norm in SG. (I would like to be proven wrong).

then to be on the safe side..get the PSIM here in SG. if ur parents are overseas now, u can also get the ESIM and send them the QR code to test activate ? if don't work, cancel with SIMBA and get a PSIM

 

[hwsstx]

Has anyone successfully purchased a new/eSIM card while overseas(in Malaysia) and used it for roaming?

I’m planning to buy a $12 SIM card for my parents and add the eSIM to their phone in Malaysia before they leave for China. However, I’m concerned that the SIM card must first connect to Singapore before it can be used for overseas roaming.

Would it be better to purchase the physical SIM card, connect it to the network once when I in SH, and then insert it into their phone before they leave for China?

How to setup SIMBA to data roam overseas
...Aug 2022

To be roam ready ensure that your SIMBA SIM is slotted into your mobile device at least 48 hours before departure. This allows your SIM to be updated with the latest parameters.

 

[joesph]

twice in china then i purchase e-sim and can use/works

 

[tidus792]

twice in china then i purchase e-sim and can use/works

Nice. Will recommend to overseas singaporeas who keep asking about getting a Singapore number while overseas for singpass and banking. I think this is a huge selling point for simba.

 

[froztheart]

How to setup SIMBA to data roam overseas
...Aug 2022

To be roam ready ensure that your SIMBA SIM is slotted into your mobile device at least 48 hours before departure. This allows your SIM to be updated with the latest parameters.

Last I understand from SIMBA, this is no longer necessary when i needed to activate and use before going overseas IIRC last year, 2024 or 2023..
Also, can call in to request for expedition on this instead of the 48hrs lead time.

 

[froztheart]

It seems that TikTok is no longer working in China while roaming. I tried using Simba and Eight too. wifi is off and tried on 2 phones.
anyone having the same issue? I'm in Hangzhou.

Noticed TT haven't been working since 2024 when I was there, even for subsequent trips.
Not specfic to providers it seems, since I used SIMBA, Eight, CMLink, CUniq etc. to roam too.

Others that have experienced please do share too!

 

[A7997A]

In 2025, I find many telco policies in the world have been rapidly evolving to restrict activation of new number sim cards overseas (Likely to combat scam)

Eight is the only company that explicitly states that it has to be activated in SG and I suspect that's the norm in SG. (I would like to be proven wrong).

Got eight esim activate overseas with no issue last year

 

[hclee01]

Hi, I am planning to get SG iPad for my relative who is in China.

As it is "safer" to install the eSIM in the iPad and activate for use in SG before the data roaming will work seamless in China, can I check if I can set up the iPad first without Apple ID and password and install the SIMBA eSIM?

Thereafter, subsequently can I reinstall the eSIM in China using the same SIMBA eSIM QR Code when my relative logins with his Apple ID/Password. (Especially if my relative decides to reset the iPad and install as new iPad?)

Thanks.

 

[galliano]

4 weeks ago in Jeju...perfect. Called local # to make reservations..free IDD!
2 weeks ago in Xi'An...had signal up at Hua Shan.

just to check, the hotspot works on Simba overseas? Many times I buy esim on shoppee they all do not support hotspot.

 

[dreamcast18]

just to check, the hotspot works on Simba overseas? Many times I buy esim on shoppee they all do not support hotspot.

yes works well.

 

[SibehHL]

Hi, I am planning to get SG iPad for my relative who is in China.

As it is "safer" to install the eSIM in the iPad and activate for use in SG before the data roaming will work seamless in China, can I check if I can set up the iPad first without Apple ID and password and install the SIMBA eSIM?

Thereafter, subsequently can I reinstall the eSIM in China using the same SIMBA eSIM QR Code when my relative logins with his Apple ID/Password. (Especially if my relative decides to reset the iPad and install as new iPad?)

Thanks.

Would it not be easier to register a physical SIM card in Singapore for your relative and have he/she purchase a WIFI+Cellular iPad from China? One can activate the SIM card in Singapore on behalf and just pass them the SIM card later. That way you can avoid all the hassle involving setting up the iPad in Singapore using different Apple IDs.

In any case, I don't believe the eSIM mobile data is only bind to the Apple ID used for setting up; i.e., meaning you can sign into any ID on the same iPad and the eSIM which is already installed will continue to support/provide mobile data. One can verify further with Apple sales personnel in their stores.

 

[froztheart]

Hi, I am planning to get SG iPad for my relative who is in China.

As it is "safer" to install the eSIM in the iPad and activate for use in SG before the data roaming will work seamless in China, can I check if I can set up the iPad first without Apple ID and password and install the SIMBA eSIM?

Thereafter, subsequently can I reinstall the eSIM in China using the same SIMBA eSIM QR Code when my relative logins with his Apple ID/Password. (Especially if my relative decides to reset the iPad and install as new iPad?)

Thanks.

Either install then login with Apple ID, then continue usage, or install eSIM then setup Apple ID.
Once eSIM installed, reset of iPad will wipe it.

 

[hclee01]

Would it not be easier to register a physical SIM card in Singapore for your relative and have he/she purchase a WIFI+Cellular iPad from China? One can activate the SIM card in Singapore on behalf and just pass them the SIM card later. That way you can avoid all the hassle involving setting up the iPad in Singapore using different Apple IDs.

In any case, I don't believe the eSIM mobile data is only bind to the Apple ID used for setting up; i.e., meaning you can sign into any ID on the same iPad and the eSIM which is already installed will continue to support/provide mobile data. One can verify further with Apple sales personnel in their stores.

Thanks, but i may be wrong, it seems from Apple website that the recent launched iPads no longer comes with physical SIM card even for those purchased in China. This is supposed to be a birthday gift for my relative, so I just want to make sure that it works nicely with the SIM card.

https://support.apple.com/en-sg/118569

 

[Habrosus]

Thanks, but i may be wrong, it seems from Apple website that the recent launched iPads no longer comes with physical SIM card even for those purchased in China. This is supposed to be a birthday gift for my relative, so I just want to make sure that it works nicely with the SIM card.

https://support.apple.com/en-sg/118569

Yup, latest local iPads no more physical SIM slot.