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The Last Guide You Should Probably Read before Switching to SIM-Only Plans in Singapore (July 2020)

  • Johan Ng
  • Jul 28, 2020
  • 5 min read

Updated: Aug 23, 2020

Most local online sources provide clear and comprehensive comparisons of SIM-only plans on price, plan, and information on mobile network providers. My post aims to provide a comparison based on:


  1. Other Benefits & Features (includes Seedly.sg's User Reviews) *Read this if you have already done some research on SIM-only plans!*

  2. A Summary: Negative & Positive Reviews

  3. SIM-Only Referral Programs: Circles.life v. GOMO

  4. 5 Best Websites for SIM-only Plan Comparisons: Key Points & Summary *Read this if you are totally new to SIM-only plans!*

  5. Singtel, M1, Starhub: Network Coverage & Speed Comparison

  6. Other Useful Websites

  7. Data Calculator Tool


 


1. SIM-Only Plans: Benefits & Features, Collection/ Delivery, Customer Service Support, Network Provider, & Seedly.sg User Reviews


Amendment (17 Aug) - Network Provider for MyRepublic: Starhub


2. Thinking of Switching? Hear it from those who switched!


Reasons for Most Negative :( User Reviews:

  1. Lack of customer service channels & poor technical support turnaround time due to porting and billing issues.

  2. Poor network coverage experienced under tunnels/ underground, especially while travelling on green/red/yellow MRT lines.

  3. Unable to monitor data usage due to no mobile app/ lack of convenient & accessible customer service channels.


Reasons for Most Positive :) User Reviews:

  1. Port-in process was easy, fast, and smooth. There was no need to contact customer service.

  2. The SIM-Only plan was so cheap & affordable! Some of us were willing to look past the not-so-good service aspect encountered.

  3. Great customer service and fast response. Issues were solved promptly.

  4. Great network coverage. No issues faced.


 

3. SIM-Only Referral Programs: Circles.life v. GOMO


 


4. Five Best Websites for SIM-only Plan Comparisons:


  1. Seedly.sg: Cheapest SIM Only Plans In Singapore 2020: Data vs Price Comparison (29 July 2020)

  2. Singsaver.com.sg: Best SIM-Only Mobile Plans For Light, Moderate, And Heavy Data Users (16 July 2020)

  3. Moneysmart.sg: SIM Only Plans – 12 Cheapest Mobile Plans in Singapore (25 Feb 2020)

  4. Dollarsandsense.sg: [Cheatsheet] What Are The Best SIM-Only Plans In Singapore (2020 Edition)

  5. Heartlandboy.com: HOW I SAVED OVER $300 BY SWITCHING TO SIM-ONLY MOBILE PHONE PLAN



SIM-Only Plan Comparison Tools



 

Seedly.sg: Cheapest SIM Only Plans In Singapore 2020: Data vs Price Comparison (29 July 2020)



Key Take-aways:

1. Handset costs are factored into 12 or 24 month mobile plan contract prices.

2. SIM-Only plans provide cost savings, more data, and freedom to switch Telcos anytime.


Seedly.sg's Cheapest SIM-Only Mobile Plans Under $30:

TPG 50GB Plan ($10)

Grid Mobile 20GB Plan ($17.90)

GOMO 20GB Plan ($20) & MyRepublic Core Plan ($20)


Others Points:

What is SIM-only plan & why they cost cheaper?

Which Networks are SIM-only plans on?

Is a SIM-Only Plan Better Than a Fixed Contract Mobile Plan?

Re-Contracting Is Just Paying for Your Phone in 24-Month Installments

The “SIM Only Plan And Phone From Carousell” Strategy


Visit Seedly.sg's page:


 

Singsaver.com.sg: Best SIM-Only Mobile Plans For Light, Moderate, And Heavy Data Users



Key Take-aways:

1. SIM-Only plan offers data, talk time, and SMSes with no fixed contact period.

2. The best SIM-only plan depends on how much data, talk time, and SMS you need.

4. Main advantage of SIM-only plans: no minimum contract period if you do not need a new handset.

5: When choosing a SIM-only plan, consider how much data, talk time and SMS you really need.

6. Take note of any early termination fees when switching from a fixed-contract plan.


Singsaver's Absolute Cheapest SIM-Only plan:

Circles.Life’s $0/month Flexi Plan (1GB of data, 30min talk time, and 10 SMS)


Singsaver's Comparison Results of SIM-Only Plans:

For Light Data Users: RedONe: 3GB, 100 mins talk time - $8

For Moderate Data Users: Circles.life: 20GB, 100 mins talk time - $18

For Heavy Data Users: Circles.life: Unlimited, 100 mins talk time - $18 (base plan) + $20


Other Points:

What is a MVNO?

What is "managed network speed"


Visit Singsaver's page:

 

Moneysmart.sg: SIM Only Plans – 12 Cheapest Mobile Plans in Singapore (25 Feb 2020)



Key Take-aways:

1. SIM-only plans is the alternative to pricey, fixed-contract plans.

2. Not necessary to wait for 2 years before re-contracting to get handset discounts.

3. Savings frrom SIM-only plan can be used to purchase a new phone from e-retailers like Lazada.


Moneysmart's Comparison Results of SIM-Only Plans:

If you want it totally free: TPG SIM card (free)

If you don’t need much talktime: Circles Life Base Plan ($18)

If you want an all-rounded plan without spending much: Singtel GOMO ($20)

If you need a helluva lot of talktime or data: GridMobile ($24.90), ViViFi ($29.90), Starhub Giga ($25) or M1 ($25)


Visit Moneysmart.sg's page:


 

Dollarsandsense.sg: [Cheatsheet] What Are The Best SIM-Only Plans In Singapore (2020 Edition)





Key Take-aways:

1. If you already have an existing phone, SIM-only plans are cheaper than fixed-contract mobile plans, offering flexibility of switching plans.

2. Consumers benefit from the increase in telcos and mobile plans in the market.

3. Latest plan offerings from telcos are always changing due to competition.


Dollarsandsense's Comparison Results of SIM-Only Plans:


Best For Basic Data Needs (100 mins talktime, 2GB to 3GB data, free incoming calls)

1. redONE's Amazing 8 - $8

(3GB data, 100 mins talktime, 1000 mins with redONE users)

2. VIVIFI's Lite - $8.80

(3GB data, 500 mins outgoing calls, free incoming calls)

3. TPG's 50GB SIM-Only Plan - $10

(50 GB, 300 mins talktime, free incoming calls)

4. MyRepublic's Value - $18.00

(Unlimited data)

5. Zero 1's 3GB Plan - $29.99

(Unlimited data)


Best For Heavy Data Needs (100 mins talktime, 8GB to 12GB data, free incoming calls)

1. TPG's 50GB SIM Only Plan - $10

(50 GB of data a month, 300 mins talktime, free incoming calls)

2. High talktime and/or SMS: Giga/M1

3. Family mobile plan sharing: VIVIFI

4. Frequent travelling Malaysia: redONE

5. Higher unthrottled, unlimited data plans: myRepublic's Power 30GB ($24) & Zero1's 3GB to Unlimited ($39.90)


Best For Extreme Data Needs (100 mins talktime, >23GB data, free incoming calls)

1. TPG's 50GB SIM Only Plan

2. myRepublic's Power 30GB ($24)

3. Zero1's 9GB To Unlimited 27GB ($39.90)


 

Heartlandboy.com: HOW I SAVED OVER $300 BY SWITCHING TO SIM-ONLY MOBILE PHONE PLAN






Key Take-aways:

1. Two advantages of SIM-Only mobile plans are huge savings without downgrading consumption + no contractual obligation.

2. Two disadvantages of SIM-Only mobile plans are no handphone subsidy + greater need to monitor usage.

3. In Heartlandboy's case, he managed to save at least $300 per year with a quick 20 minutes switch to a SIM-only plan at a retail shop.

Visit Heartlandboy.com's page:


 

WhatTelco: Compare SIM-only Data Plans in Singapore




Key Take-aways:

1. The best mobile plan depends on your monthly budget, data and talk time usage, including location of phone use (for network coverage considerations).

2. Although NVMOs (i.e. TPG, Circles.life, Gomo, etc.) offer network space through major telcos (i.e Singtel, M1, Starhub, etc), the best deals may come from NVMOs.

3. If you're keeping/ using your existing phone, opt for SIM-only plans.

Different telcos and plans cater to different personal lifestyle and usage needs.

4. Network coverage and speed are dependent on which network your SIM-only plan runs on. The best plan is a balance of features and coverage.


Visit WhatTelco's page:


 


5. NETWORK COVERAGE: Singapore Mobile Network Experience Report - June 2019


4G Availability

  1. Singtel - 91.2%

  2. M1 - 81.4%

  3. Starhub - 81.2%

Video Experience

  1. M1 - 71.1 (very good)

  2. Singtel - 70.3 (very good)

  3. Starhub - 69.7 (very good)

Download Speed & Experience

  1. Singtel - 42.1 mbps

  2. Starhub - 39.5 mbps

  3. M1 - 36.5 mbps

Upload Speed Experience

  1. M1 - 13.4 mbps

  2. Singtel - 12.7 mbps

  3. Starhub - 12.4 mbps

Latency Experience (duration of data request to traverse the network and return (especially important for real-time multiplayer gaming, VoIP, video chat)

  1. M1 - 27.9 ms

  2. Singtel - 28.6 ms

  3. Starhub - 34.6 ms



 

6. Other Useful Links/ Websites:


Moneysmart.sg: redONE, ViViFi & Grid Mobile: Are the 3 Newest Telcos Any Good?


Statista: Average mobile data usage in Singapore from Q2 2013 to Q4 2019


MyRepublic: Why I use 20GB of mobile data a month (and maybe you do too)



7. Online Data Calculator Tool:


3G.co.uk: How much data do I need?



Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, it is subject to continuous change and we do not guarantee its currency nor correctness due to delays, errors and omissions which may occur. Please contact or visit respective Digital Telco's websites for most up-to-date plans and prices.


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