The mobile market in Singapore used to be characterised by contract plans with handset subsidies. These plans package both the mobile plan and the handset as part of the monthly fee pays for the subsidies on the handset (making the plan function partially as an instalment plan for the phone). However, this means that if you do not recontract immediately at the 2-year mark, you will essentially be paying additional instalments for a phone that is already paid for as the plan would continue at a higher monthly rate. However, this has changed with the introduction of sim-only plans.
What Is A SIM-Only Plan?
SIM-only plans do not include subsidies for the handset, and most of them come with the benefit of having no contract. If a competing telco offers a better plan, or if the telco is giving unsatisfactory reception/service, the consumer can always switch. Of course, there are also downsides to switching such as the time taken for the SIM card to be delivered, and not having reception and data during the downtime waiting for the setup and activation.
The other benefit is being able to choose when to upgrade your phone, rather than being tied to a 2-year upgrading schedule. For iPhone fans, this is great news since you can theoretically get the newest iPhone every year while selling your older model secondhand, whereas you might have had to pay an early upgrade penalty if you were tied to a 2-year plan. Those who find it a hassle to port over contacts, pictures and apps can always choose to use their phones for 3 or 4 years before upgrading and enjoy the savings.
The other benefit of SIM-only plans is that at present they are very heavily focused on providing data. This is compared to the more traditional postpaid (2 year contract) plans which typically provide more SMS and Talktime but relatively little data, and prepaid plans which charge for data usage at exorbitant prices. If you are a heavy data user, SIM-only plans are a good choice for you.
Many Options For Consumers In Singapore
The increasing popularity of SIM-only contracts is clearly evident. The three local telcos – SingTel, StarHub and M1 – all have their own SIM-only plans, as does SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile), which won the fourth telco license in Singapore.
A slew of mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) have also entered the market offering their own SIM-only plans – GOMO Mobile (launched by SingTel), giga (launched by StarHub), Circles.Life, Zero1, MyRepublic, redONE, ViviFi, Grid Mobile (joint venture by SingTel and ST Telemedia), as well as CMLink (China Mobile), Changi Mobile and Gorilla Mobile.
This has led to further intensification of competition in an already crowded telecommunications marketplace. The main benefactors are the consumers in Singapore (for now), as prices have tapered, and service standards are under pressure to improve, and products more innovative.
Comparing SIM-Only Plans In Singapore
We’ll look at the SIM-only plans offered by the different telco and MVNO operators in Singapore to find out which offers the best deal. All promotions and discounts will be disregarded to take away variances that an individual may encounter depending on the time they subscribe, especially since discounts off monthly fees are seasonal and only last for a limited time.
Not everyone has the same needs, so we shall consider two types of users. User A would be someone who has moderate data needs (20GB and below) and user B with extreme data needs (above 60GB). Based on this classification, we shall recommend plans to fit the needs of both categories.
User A would be the typical Singaporean who either just needs basic data, or enough data to entertain them during commutes (Youtube/Netflix/Mobile Games). People in the User A profile may also occasionally use mobile hotspot to enable internet usage on their laptops for working on-the-go or offsite.
User B would be mainly people who work offsite a lot and thus need mobile internet or people who use mobile data as a replacement for a home broadband service. User B may also include small businesses which have moderate office internet needs but do not wish to pay exorbitant fees for a commercial broadband plan.
Of late, many players in the market have bumped up their lowest offerings, charging between $20-30 for 40 – 100GB. Since they charge roughly the same price as other providers providing basic data quantities, and those are the lowest data plans for the provider, we shall consider these plans under the User A category despite the fact that it provides more data than necessary. In addition to that, some providers are starting to provide 5G, and these will mainly be placed under the User B category.
Best SIM-Only Plans For Basic To Moderate Data Needs
User A needs a minimum of:
- 100 mins talktime
- 20GB and below data
- Caller ID
- Free incoming calls
| Plans | Cost/Month (Including GST) |
|
| SingTel | SIM Only Plus 30 (12 Month) – 60 GB data – 1000 mins talktime – 500 SMS |
$30.00 |
| StarHub | $25 SIM Only Plan (No Contract) – $25.00 – 60 GB data – 1000 SMS – Unlimited Talktime – Free incoming calls |
$25.00 |
| StarHub | $25 SIM only plan (12 Month) – $25.00 – 80 GB data – 1000 SMS – Unlimited Talktime – Free incoming calls |
$25.00 |
| M1 | 80GB SIM-Only plan – 80GB data – 1000 mins talktime – 1000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free calls to 3 M1 numbers |
$17.95 |
| M1 | 100GB SIM-Only plan – 100GB data – 1000 mins talktime – 1000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free calls to 3 M1 numbers |
$19.95 |
| SIMBA (Formerly TPG Mobile) | 100GB SIM-Only (No Contract) – 50 GB data + 50GB – 300 mins Local Fixed Line minutes – 30 SMS – 1 GB international roaming data to selected countries |
$10.00 |
| Circles.Life | Basic Plan – 20 GB data – 100 mins talktime – 25 SMS – Free caller ID |
$18.00 |
| Changi Mobile | Flexi Value (No Contract) – 12GB Data – 200 mins talktime – 200 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$8.00 |
| Changi Mobile | Flexi Best (No Contract) – 58GB Data – 300 mins talktime – 300 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$15.00 |
| CMLink | (No Contract) – 12 GB data (includes 6 GB roaming data for use S’pore, Hong Kong, mainland China) – 100 mins talktime (local and local to mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and USA) – 100 local SMS – Free caller ID – Free local incoming calls |
$10.80 |
| CMLink | (No Contract) – 50 GB data (includes 25 GB roaming data for use S’pore, Hong Kong, mainland China) – 300 mins talktime (local and local to mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and USA) – 300 local SMS – Free caller ID – Free local incoming calls |
$20.80 |
| giga | (No Contract) – $10.00 – 6 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$10.00 |
| giga | (No Contract) – $20.00 – 50 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
| GOMO Mobile | (No Contract) – $20.00 – 20 GB data – 200 mins talktime – 200 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
| Gorilla Mobile | Switch25 (No Contract) – 50 GB Data – 100 mins talktime – 100 SMS – Free incoming calls – Max $24 switchback monthly |
$25.00 |
| MyRepublic | Lite Plan (No Contract) – $10.00 – 8 GB data – 300 mins talktime – 300 SMS – Free incoming calls |
$10.00 |
| redONE | WOW10 (No Contract) – 10 GB data (Can be used in S’pore only), unlimited data at 128kbps thereafter – 300 mins talktime – 300 SMS |
$10.00 |
| redONE | Amazing 18 (No Contract) – $18 – 25 GB data (Can be used in S’pore and Malaysia), unlimited data at 128kbps thereafter – 500 mins talktime (S’pore and Malaysia) – 500 SMS |
$18.00 |
| redONE | Amazing 28 (No Contract) – $18 – 50 GB data (Can be used in S’pore and Malaysia), unlimited data at 128kbps thereafter – 800 mins talktime (S’pore and Malaysia) – 800 SMS |
$28.00 |
| VIVIFI | Lite Plan (No Contract) – 3 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 20 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$8.80 |
| VIVIFI | Plus Plan (No Contract) – Unlimited data (First 9 GB unthrottled) – 350 mins talktime – 200 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$9.00 |
| Zero 1 | Zero1 Starter – Unlimited data (First 6 GB unthrottled) – 150 mins talktime – 100 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$6.90 |
Read Also: Complete Guide To Prepaid SIM Plans In Singapore
Absolute Lowest Price And Best Overall Value
For those who want to spend the absolute minimum on their SIM-Only Plans, Zero1 Starter is the cheapest at $6.90. However, SIMBA’s 100GB plan gives the best value since it gives a whopping 50GB unthrottled data for $10.
However, a caveat is that the coverage and reception for TPG may not be as good as other providers, which could be the reason for the insane value, so best to try for a month or two and test reception reliability, especially in places where you are likely to need your phone often (e.g. Home/Work/School) before porting your number over.
Best for Students
For those who cannot afford the bill shock of exceeding their data quota but still need constant connectivity, unlimited plans like Zero1’s Starter (6GB) or VIVIFI’s Plus Plan (9 GB) and redOne’s WOW10 (10 GB) all offer 6GB or more of data respectively, all under $15 monthly. These plans provide the stated data at full speeds, and throttle all usage thereafter, which is great for people who do not use much data or can’t afford to exceed their data plans unknowingly. With that said, TPG’s 100GB plan costs just $10 while providing more data than the average student might use, so it may also be well worth it for students.
Best SIM-Only Plans For Extreme Data Needs (more than 60 GB)
User B needs a minimum of:
- 100 mins talktime
- more than 60 GB data (at high speeds)
- Caller ID
- Free incoming calls
| Plans | Cost/Month (Including GST) |
|
| SingTel (5G) | SIM Only Plus 45 (12-Month) – 70 GB data (5G) – 1000 min talktime – 1000 SMS – Free Caller ID – $100 phone voucher |
$45.00 |
| SingTel (5G) | SIM Only Plus 55 (12-Month) – 90 GB data (5G) – 1500 min talktime – 1500 SMS – Free Caller IDsa – $100 phone voucher |
$55.00 |
| StarHub (5G) | Mobile+ $38 SIM Only plan (12 month) – 70 GB data (5G) – 1,000 mins talktime – 1,000 SMS – Free incoming calls |
$38.00 |
| StarHub (5G) | Mobile+ $45 SIM Only plan (12 month) – 90 GB data (5G) – 1,000 mins talktime – 1,000 SMS – Free incoming calls |
$45.00 |
| M1 | 80GB SIM-Only plan – 80GB data – 1000 mins talktime – 1000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free calls to 3 M1 numbers |
$17.95 |
| M1 | 100GB SIM-Only plan – 100GB data – 1000 mins talktime – 1000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free calls to 3 M1 numbers |
$19.95 |
| SIMBA (Formerly TPG Mobile) | 130GB SIM-Only – 80 GB data + 50GB – 500 mins talktime – 50 SMS – 2 GB international roaming data to selected countries |
$18.00 |
| SIMBA (Formerly TPG Mobile) | SIMBA MY130 – 130 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 50 SMS – 10 GB roaming data to Malaysia only – 100 mins IDD to Malaysia only |
$39.00 per 90 days |
| SIMBA (Formerly TPG Mobile) | SIMBA SuperRoam – 100 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 100 SMS – 10 GB international roaming data to selected countries – 300 mins IDD to selected countries |
$25 |
| Circles.Life | Sun-sational Plan – 20 GB Base plan data – 30 GB bonus data forever – 100 mins talktime – 200 mins bonus talktime – 25 SMS – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
| Circles.Life | Telco Freedom Plan – 20 GB Base plan data – 80 GB with rollover – Unlimited incoming and outgoing talktime – 25 SMS – Free caller ID |
$25.00 |
| Changi Mobile | Flexi Pro (No Contract) – 88GB Data – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
| Changi Mobile | Flexi Ultra (No Contract) – 100 GB Data – 800 mins talktime – 800 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$35.00 |
| CMLink | (No Contract) – 70 GB data (includes 35 GB roaming data for use in S’pore, Hong Kong, mainland China) – 400 mins talktime (local and local to mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and USA) – 400 local SMS – Free caller ID – Free Local incoming calls |
$30.80 |
| CMLink | (No Contract) – 100 GB data (includes 35 GB roaming data for use in S’pore, Hong Kong, mainland China) – 500 mins talktime (local and local to mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and USA) – 500 local SMS – Free caller ID – Free Local incoming calls |
$40.80 |
| giga | (No Contract) – 60 GB data – 2,000 mins talktime – 2,000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$25.00 |
| giga | (No Contract) – 100 GB data – 10,000 mins talktime – 10,000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$45.00 |
| GOMO Mobile | (No Contract) – 60 GB data – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$30.00 |
| Gorilla Mobile | Switch45 (No Contract) – 80 GB Data – 1000 mins talktime – 100 SMS – Free incoming calls – Max $24 switchback monthly |
$45.00 |
| MyRepublic | Core Plan (No Contract) – 60GB – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
| MyRepublic | Pro Plan (No Contract) – 80GB – 1,000 mins talktime – 1,000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$29.00 |
| MyRepublic | Unlimited Data (No Contract) – Unlimited Data (5GB/day untrottled) – 2,000 mins talktime – 2,000 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$39.00 |
| redONE | WOW20 (No Contract) – 60 GB data (Can be used in S’pore only), unlimited data at 128kbps thereafter – 500 mins talktime – 500 SMS |
$20.00 |
| redONE | Amazing 38 (No Contract) – 80 GB data (Can be used in S’pore and Malaysia), unlimited data at 128kbps thereafter – 1,000 mins talktime (S’pore and Malaysia) – 1000 SMS |
$38.00 |
| redONE | Unlimited48 (No Contract) – Unlimited data (data speed capped at 5Mbps, fair usage cap at 300GB) – Unlimited talktime (fair usage capped at 1,000 outgoing minutes) – Unlimited SMS |
$48.00 |
| VIVIFI | Binge Plan(50GB/70GB) (No Contract) – 50GB/70GB – 300 mins talktime – 300 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$18.00/25.00 |
| Zero 1 | Zero1 Jumbo 60 – 60GB Data – 500 mins talktime – 50 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$12.00 |
| Zero 1 | Zero1 Jumbo 100 – 100GB Data – 800 mins talktime – 100 SMS – 500 mins IDD – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID |
$20.00 |
Best Overall Value
For heavy data users, SIMBA’s 130GB plan offer the best value with the most data per dollar at $18 for 130GB. M1’s 100GB plan and Zero1’s Jumbo 100 offers the second overall most value for money plans at 100GB for $19.95 and 100GB for $20, respectively.
5G Plans
For those looking to ride the 5G wave, Singtel and Starhub have started providing 5G SIM-only plans. However they will require signing on to a 12-month plan. In this case, Starhub’s plans seem to offer more value at 90GB for $38 or 110GB for $45. M1 users have the option adding on a 5Go Plus Booster for $5 per month which may be one of the most cost-effective ways of trying out 5G.
Frequent travellers
Those who may need to travel overseas regularly for work may consider plans that offer overseas data usage. redONE’s data can be used in both Singapore and Malaysia while CMLink can be used in Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China. SIMBA also includes 1 to 2 GB roaming data to 57 destinations.
Read Also: Best Unlimited Data Mobile Plans In Singapore (Plus: Which Plan Gives The Most 4G Data Per Dollar?)
Seniors and Family Specific Plans
Another group of people who may also sign up for SIM-only plans includes parents getting a phone for their younger children as well as the elderly. In certain instances, some within this group may not require a lot of data – perhaps due to parents wanting to limit their children’s phone usage or the elderly who aren’t familiar with the feature.
Here are the plans that are targeted at seniors and families:
| Plans | Cost/Month (Including GST) |
|
| SIMBA | Seniors – 20 GB data (unthrottled) – Unlimited Mobile to Local Mobile Lines – 300 Local Fixed Line Minutes – 30 SMS – 1 GB international roaming data to selected countries |
$5.00 |
| Circles.Life | Family – $15 to $25 per line – 200 GB data shared between up to 6 – 500 mins talktime (outgoing and incoming) – 200 SMS – Free caller ID |
$50/$60/$70/$80/$90 for 2/3/4/5/6 SIMs respectively |
| VIVIFI | Share Plan (No Contract) – Share 180GB between family members, up to 9 lines. – 1000 mins talktime – 100 SMS – Free incoming calls – Free caller ID – Add $6 /mth per extra SIM card |
$40 + $6 for each extra SIM |
SIMBA’s Seniors Plan is currently the cheapest SIM-only plan available on the market right now. However, only seniors (60 years old and above) may apply for this plan with each senior being able to apply for a maximum of 4 lines under this plan.
VIVIFI’s Share Plan and Circles.Life’s Family Plan is targeted at families with the ability to share the data, talktime and SMS of the main Share Plan. Each Share Plan can share up to 8 additional lines (VIVIFI Us) or 5 additional lines (Circles.Life). This may make sense for large families. Taking Circles.Life as an example, a 6-member family pays $15 each and gets 33.3GB per person, making it second only to SIMBA’s 50GB SIM Only Plan in the User A category.
Read Also: Why Using Sim-Only Mobile Data Plans Together As A Household Makes Good Financial Sense
This article was originally published on 2 August 2018 and updated to reflect new information and the latest price plans. Additional reporting by Clement Low.
The post What Are The Best SIM-Only Plans In Singapore (2022 Edition) appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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