Singapore – known for being incredibly clean, modern & the ban on chewing gum.
Yes, the last point is real, but it is enforced sparingly by immigration.
Unless you try to bring in boxes of gum.
For many residents in neighboring countries, Singapore is regarded as a short-trip destination.
Perhaps a weekend out to shop, dine, or explore some attractions.
I know many Australians who do so, and it is accepted as normal.
For those coming from further away, the activities mentioned above still apply, but they usually stay longer than just a weekend.
Or it is a stopover destination before continuing to the final leg of their itinerary.
The thing that makes Singapore stand out is that it is the most expensive country in Southeast Asia – by a lot.
But, the country is beautiful. Yet, you should still find ways to save on expenses where you can.
You can do so by using a local SIM card – a Singaporean one, so that you can enjoy local rates instead of roaming internationally.
International roaming can be expensive, even with mobile operators from other Southeast Asian countries.
But most of them do have attractive Southeast Asia roaming rates.
So, how much do SIM cards cost in Singapore, and are they worth it?
You can get a Singaporean SIM card for between 8 SGD (6.01 USD) to 38 SGD (28.55 USD) from Singtel, 8 SGD to 50 SGD (6.01 USD-37.60 USD) from StarHub, 10 SGD (7.50 USD) from SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile) & 14 SGD (10.50 USD) to 27 SGD (20.30 USD) from M1. Tourist SIM cards with 100 GB of data are sold from 12 SGD to 50 SGD. SIM cards are also sold at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
100 GB for just 12 SGD/9 USD!? What a deal!
While I do not often recommend tourist SIM cards in any of my guides, Singapore is one of the countries where I do recommend one get a tourist SIM card over a regular one because of the value it offers.
Not only is the data allowance insane, and it is 100 GB for the four mobile operators, regardless of the SIM card price, you also get roaming data, local/international minutes & local SMS – amazing deal.
But, there are many more options in Singapore, and there is also a lot more to learn.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Singapore. Let’s do this.
Original publication: 16th of December 2019. Last updated: 3rd of June 2023.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Singapore?
Anyone 15 or 16 years old or older, depending on the mobile operator, living in or visiting Singapore can buy a Singaporean SIM card from the mobile network operators (Singtel, StarHub, M1 & SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile)) with some restrictions.
The main restriction is that you can only have three active SIM cards in your name in Singapore.
Besides that restriction, you are free to use Singaporean SIM cards.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Singapore).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Singapore?
You can get a Singaporean SIM card in Singtel, StarHub, M1 & SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile) stores. Resellers, like 7-Eleven and Cheers conveniece stores, also sell SIM cards. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN – except for SIMBA SIM cards).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
You can expect to pay the following for Singaporean SIM cards:
- Singtel: 8 SGD, 15 SGD & 38 SGD
- StarHub: 8 SGD, 15 SGD & 38 SGD
- M1 Singapore: 14 SGD, 25 SGD & 27 SGD (new)
- SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore): 10 SGD
The following mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- Singtel: 12 SGD, 15 SGD (new), 30 SGD & 50 SGD
- StarHub: 12 SGD & 32 SGD
- M1 Singapore: 12 SGD, 14 SGD (new), 30 SGD & 60 SGD
- SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore): N/A – SIM cards are not sold at the airport
For up-to-date SGD: your currency (let's say MYR) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Can You Use Your Phone in Singapore?
Singapore uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Singapore. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).
Traditional European frequencies are used in Singapore, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 and 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).
The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American frequencies, which differ from the European ones.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 and 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Singapore.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Singapore or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Singapore (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE and 5G NR.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Singapore
Singapore has four mobile network operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Singtel
- StarHub
- M1 Singapore
- SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
The following frequencies are used in Singapore:
- 2G: N/A – shut down on the 1st of April 2017
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7 & Band 38)
- 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Singapore, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Singapore
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) are available in Singapore. However, not all mobile operators offer both services.
This means that your phone does not have to downgrade to 2G or 3G when making a call in Singapore (unlike mobile operators that do not support VoLTE).
The following mobile operators offer VoLTE and VoWiFi in Singapore:
- Singtel
- StarHub
- M1 Singapore
The following mobile operators offer VoLTE only in Singapore:
- SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
Singapore even has Voice over New Radio (5G NR – Singtel, StarHub & M1), which only a handful of mobile operators offer worldwide.
However, it is not available to prepaid customers (and will not be for a long time, I assume).
5G NR in Singapore
Commercial 5G NR has been available in Singapore since September 2020. It is available on the Singtel, StarHub, M1 & SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile) networks. Only Singtel allows prepaid customers to use 5G NR (if you buy a specific 50 SGD plan) – the others do not.
Best SIM Card in Singapore
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Singapore, I recommend going with Singtel. It is the fastest mobile operator and has extensive coverage (like its competitors). Consider its tourist SIM card for 100 GB of data for as little as 12 SGD (applies to M1 too).
Best eSIM in Singapore
M1 allows prepaid customers to offers eSIMs to prepaid customers. However, only if you get its 12 SGD tourist SIM card (or eSIM for that matter). Regular prepaid customers cannot get eSIM (yet).
Note that the Singaporean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
However, you can also get a travel eSIM from various eSIM providers.
The list below is not exhaustive – many more providers have eSIMs for Singapore.
But these are the ones I have tried and had pleasant experiences with.
Moreover, they are reasonably priced, which I find very important (you will not see me recommending an eSIM I would not buy myself).
So here are the 14 best eSIMs for Singapore:
- Singaporean mobile operators (one offer eSIMs to prepaid customers – read more in my Singapore SIM card buying guide)
- Airalo Connect Lah! eSIM (best value for money)
- Holafly Singapore eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 90 days (unlimited data eSIMs)
- Nomad Singapore eSIM with 16 choices between 1 GB and unlimited (best value for money)
- Airalo Asialink eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 100 GB (best value for money for 14 East- and Southeast Asian countries)
- AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Singapore with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported Asian countries (12/32) at a reasonable price but with a short validity – SimOptions does sell other Asian eSIMs, but they are not as good as AIS)
- Holafly Asia eSIM with two choices between 6 GB and 10 GB (reasonably prices eSIMs for 11 East- and Southeast Asian countries, but Phone Travel Wiz readers like the eSIM somehow)
- Nomad APAC eSIM with seven choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (the best of both worlds in terms of pricing and performance for up to 16 Asian and Oceanian countries)
- Nomad SEA-Oceania eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 30 GB (the best of both worlds in terms of pricing and performance again but for up to eight Asian and Oceanian countries (can be cheaper than Nomad's APAC eSIM))
- Ubigi Asia Plans (extensive Asia coverage (24 countries))
- Airalo Discover Global eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (reasonable global coverage (85+ countries) at attractive prices) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover Global eSIM review too!
- AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Singapore with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (50/123) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
- Nomad Global eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (110 countries) at high(er) prices)
- Ubigi World Plan (most extensive global coverage (175+ countries) at the highest prices)
Because this is the SIM card buying guide for Singapore, I will not spend too much time about travel eSIMs here and throughout this guide (but I will still do here and there).
If you want to learn more about the best eSIMs for Singapore, you better check out my Singapore eSIM buying guide.
It is as helpful and comprehensive as this guide but about eSIMs instead 😜.
SIM Card Registration in Singapore
SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Singapore. This will be done at the point of purchase.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Moreover, you can have up to three active prepaid SIM cards ACROSS all mobile operators in Singapore.
This restriction applies to both Singaporean citizens and non-citizens (including migrant workers and tourists).
What happens when you try going over this limit? I do not know – be my guest and try it 😏.
Singapore Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Singapore is one of the more popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia.
But it is certainly not one of the cheapest countries to visit in the region.
However, the same cannot be said about mobile data rates in Singapore – they are more affordable than you would expect.
The average price for 1 GB of data in Singapore is 0.86 SGD (0.61 USD), below the Asian average of 1.47 USD. The world average is 3.12 USD.
In fact, Singapore is somewhat in the middle in terms of being the cheapest or most expensive country for mobile data in Southeast Asia, behind Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines & Vietnam, but ahead of Laos, Myanmar, Brunei & Timor-Leste – in that order.
Some data-featured prepaid plans can be generous in Singapore, especially when you get one of the tourist SIM cards
While the prices for data-featured plans are low, will you also get slow speeds in Singapore?
Not at all.
Singapore's median mobile download speed is around 69 Mbps.
For reference, the global median is around 31 Mbps at the moment.
Singapore has the fastest median download speeds compared to its (in)direct neighbors Malaysia (30.50 Mbps) and Indonesia (17.33 Mbps).
When looking at all of Southeast Asia, only Brunei has a faster median download speed (79.50 Mbps).
Singapore's mobile download speeds have increased by 10.9% year on year.
Okay, now it is time to know which mobile operator is the fastest in Singapore.
That would be Singtel, with a median download speed of 93 Mbps. Followed by StarHub (80.21), M1 (45.95) & SIMBA (formerly TPG Telecom Singapore – 20.86 Mbps).
The mobile operator with the best 5G NR speeds is also Singtel, with a median download speed of 360.31 Mbps. It is followed by StarHub (144.47 Mbps) and & M1 (126.06 Mbps).
But be aware: only Singtel allows prepaid customers to use 5G NR (if you purchase a 5G NR plan… which is just one at the moment).
Anyway, so what about coverage? Which mobile operator has the best coverage?
Honestly, the four mobile operators cover almost all of Singapore (mostly because it is a small city-state).
With an availability percentage of 99.3% – 99.5% and a 4G/LTE coverage experience score of 10 (or 9.7 on a 10-point scale, you do not have to worry about reception anywhere in Singapore.
So what about the overall network performance by the Singaporean mobile operators?
Singapore and StarHub are the winners of the Singapore Mobile Experience Awards of June 2022.
As mentioned earlier, you want to go with Singtel for the fastest speeds.
With average SIM card prices, perfect nationwide coverage, incredible mobile download speeds, and incredibly low mobile data rates, you should have a smooth network experience in Singapore.
Currency in Singapore
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar with the symbol SGD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as just $ or S$. For example, 25 SGD = $/S$ 25.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between SGD and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 SGD = 0.75 USD
- 10 SGD = 7.50 USD
- 100 SGD = 75.20 USD
For up-to-date SGD:your currency (let's say MYR – Malaysian Ringgit) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Singaporean Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Singtel, StarHub, M1 Singapore & SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore), and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Singapore to offer to us.
Singtel
Singtel is the largest mobile operator in Singapore.
It has a market share of around 50%, so it is indeed not playing around.
Singtel, as a company, is also active in other countries, including Australia (as Optus), India (as a shareholder of Bharti Airtel), Indonesia (as a shareholder of Telkomsel) & the Philippines (as a shareholder of).
Singtel uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – shut down in 2017
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7 & Band 38)
- 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78)
- VoLTE: Yes
- VoWiFi: Yes
This is what you will learn about Singtel:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Singtel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* My Review
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Singtel
Singtel has excellent coverage throughout Singapore.
While this is true for all the other Singaporean mobile operators, it is still remarkable.
Below is Singtel's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Singtel
You can get a Singtel SIM card, called hi!Card, for 8 SGD, 15 SGD & 38 SGD in Singtel stores (1/2/3) or convenience stores (7-Elevens or Cheers). SIM cards are also sold at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
The following three Singtel SIM cards are available:
| Price | SIM Card | Credit | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 SGD | hi! Prepaid SIM $8 | 10 SGD (30 days) | 1.5 GB (30 days) | 90 days |
| 15 SGD | hi! Prepaid $15 | 15 SGD | 3 GB GB (120 days) + 5 GB (30 days) | 120 days |
| 38 SGD | SG-M'Sia hi! Prepaid SIM | 38 SGD | 11 GB (30 days) 1 | 180 days |
1 3 GB of the 11 GB data allowance can also be used in Malaysia
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Singtel Tourist SIM cards.
Sold for 12 SGD, 15 SGD (new), 30 SGD & 50 SGD, you will always get 100 GB of data – 100 GB is not a typo.
The following four Singtel Tourist SIM cards are available:
| Price | Data | Roaming Data 1 | Social Data 2 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 15 SGD | 100 GB 3 | 3 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 28 days |
| 30 SGD | 100 GB 4 | 5 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (12 GB) | “Unlimited”, 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | “Unlimited”, 5000 SMS | 12 days |
| 50 SGD | 120 GB 4 | 10 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (15 GB) | “Unlimited”, 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | “Unlimited”, 5000 SMS | 15 days |
1 in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia & Thailand for 30 days (regardless of the validity of the SIM card)
2 for Facebook, Line, WeChat & WhatsApp
3 +3 SGD EZ link credit (for public transport)
4 5G access
Singtel Tourist SIM cards are sold at the same locations where hi!Card SIM cards are available (although the 12 SGD and 15 SGD variants may be “out of stock” – especially at the airport for upsell reasons).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Singtel has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Singaporean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Singapore (without personal detail capturing), you can get Singapore Connect Lah! eSIMs from Airalo (five options):
No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.
If you plan on visiting other neighboring Asian nations, consider the Airalo Asialink eSIM to be used in 14 Asian countries 1 with six variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 50 GB/90 days
- 100 GB/180 days
1 currently, newly bought Asialink eSIMs cannot be used in Singapore. Airalo is working on re-including Singapore in its Asialink offering
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
I have used, and will be using, the Airalo Asialink eSIM in every country it can be used in.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Asialink eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Singapore.
You can read about them in my Best Singapore eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Note that Singtel offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.
Heck, you can even use VoNR (Voice over New Radio (5G), which is still rare (but only if your phone supports 5G NR, of course).
Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Singtel
Singtel top-up vouchers are sold in Singtel stores (1/2/3), grocery stores, corner shops & electronics shops throughout Singapore.
To top up your Singtel SIM card, call 9676 7777 and follow the instructions.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *100# or *100*1# to check your Singtel balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Singtel
Singtel has 11 data-featured prepaid plans:
- Tourist SIM Cards
- Ultimate Plans – Combo
- 5-Day/7-Day Plans (data)
- Ultimate Plans – Data
- SG•M'sia Data Pass
- 4-Week Plans (data)
- Value+ Data Plans
- Social Data Plans
- hi!Music Plans (music data)
- Standalone Plans (social data)
- Bundle Plans (app data)
All Singtel plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App.
I will list all the prices in SGD (Singapore Dollar).
To convert SGD to your currency (let's say MYR – Malaysian Ringgit) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Tourist SIM Cards – Singtel
| Price | Data | Roaming Data 1 | Social Media Data 2 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 15 SGD | 100 GB 3 | 3 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 28 days |
| 30 SGD | 100 GB | 5 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (12 GB) | “Unlimited”, 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | “Unlimited”, 5000 SMS | 12 days |
| 50 SGD | 120 GB 4 | 10 GB | “Unlimited”, 1 GB/day (15 GB) | “Unlimited”, 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | “Unlimited”, 5000 SMS | 15 days |
1 for Australia, Indoensia, Malaysia & Thailand for 30 days
2 for Facebook, Line, WeChat & WhatsApp
3 + 3 SGD EZ link credit (for public transport)
4 5G access
The Ultimate Plans (Combo) are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
Ultimate Plans (Combo) – Singtel
Ultimate Plans (Combo) can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes 1 | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 SGD | 5 GB | 500 minutes | N/A | 100 SMS | 28 days |
| 35 SGD | 60 GB 1, 2 | 5000 minutes | 2000 minutes | 500 SMS | 28 days |
| 50 SGD | 150 GB 2, 3 | 5000 minutes | 2000 minutes | 500 SMS | 28 days |
1 to Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma & the Philippines. The actual minute allowance differs per destination, but it is undisclosed
2 40 GB of the 60/120 GB data allowance can also be used in Malaysia
3 with 5G NR access
5-Day/7-Day Plans – Singtel
The 5-Day/7-Day Plans data bundles (without 5G NR access).
5-Day/7-Day Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Local/Malaysia Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 2 SGD | 100 MB | 5 days |
| 8 SGD | 1 GB | 7 days |
| 10 SGD | 10 GB | 7 days |
Ultimate Plans (Data) – Singtel
The Ultimate Plans (Data) are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
Ultimate Plans (Data) can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 7 SGD | 2 GB | 1 day |
| 16 SGD | 6 GB | 3 days |
| 30 SGD | 15 GB | 7 days |
SG•M'sia Data Pass – Singtel
The SG•M'sia Data Pass is a data bundle (without 5G NR access) that can also be used in Malaysia.
It costs 10 SGD with 1 GB of data for 28 days. The plan can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App.
| Price | Local/Malaysia Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 SGD | 1 GB | 28 days |
4-Week Plans – Singtel
The 4-Week Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
4-Week Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 SGD | 1 GB | 28 days |
| 20 SGD | 3 GB | 28 days |
| 25 SGD | 20 GB | 28 days |
| 30 SGD | 40 GB 1, 2 | 28 days |
1 also in Malaysia
2 +free Banglaflix & Viu
Value+ Data Plan – Singtel
The Value+ Data Plan is a 2.5 GB data bundle (without 5G NR access) and unlimited data for KKBOX, Line, MeRadio, Saavn, Smule, Spotify & WhatsApp.
The Value+ Data Plan can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | Social Data 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 SGD | 2.5 GB | Unlimited | 28 days |
1 for KKBOX, Line, MeRadio, Saavn, Smule, Spotify & WhatsApp
The Social Data Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access) for Facebook, Line, WeChat, or WhatsApp individually.
Social Data Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50 SGD | 1 GB/day | 1 day | |
| 0.50 SGD | 1 GB/day | 1 day | |
| 1 SGD | 1 GB/day | 1 day | |
| 1 SGD | 1 GB/day | Line | 1 day |
| 3 SGD | 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 7 days | |
| 3 SGD | 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 7 days | |
| 5 SGD | 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 7 days | |
| 3 SGD | 1 GB/day (7 GB) | 7 days | |
| 6 SGD | 1 GB/day (30 GB) | 30 days | |
| 6 SGD | 1 GB/day (30 GB) | 30 days | |
| 9 SGD | 1 GB/day (30 GB) | 25 days | |
| 12 SGD | 1 GB/day (30 GB) | 30 days |
hi!Music Plans – Singtel
The hi!Music Plans are unlimited data bundles (without 5G NR access) for KKBOX, MeRadio, Saavn, Smule & Spotify streaming.
hi!Music Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | KKBOX, MeRadio, Saavn, Smule & Spotify Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 0.99 SGD | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 1.99 SGD | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 2.99 SGD | Unlimited | 30 days |
Standalone Plans – Singtel
The Standalone Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access) for Facebook Messenger, Hotstar, IMO, Instagram, Netflix, Skype, TraceTogether, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, or YouTube individually.
Standalone Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 SGD | 1 GB | 1 day | |
| 1 SGD | 1 GB | IMO | 1 day |
| 1 SGD | 1 GB | YouTube | 1 day |
| 1.50 SGD | 1 GB | Skype | 1 day |
| 2 SGD | Unlimited | TraceTogether | 30 days |
| 3 SGD | 3 GB | Skype | 3 days |
| 4 SGD | 7 GB | YouTube | 1 day |
| 5 SGD | 3 GB | Netflix | 7 days |
| 6 SGD | 5 GB | IMO | 7 days |
| 6 SGD | 7 GB | 7 days | |
| 7 SGD | 7 GB | 7 days | |
| 7 SGD | 7 GB | Facebook Messenger | 7 days |
| 7 SGD | 7 GB | 7 days | |
| 7 SGD | 7 GB | Viber | 7 days |
| 8 SGD | 5 GB | Hotstar | 7 days |
| 10 SGD | 7 GB | IMO | 30 days |
| 13 SGD | 10 GB | 30 days | |
| 15 SGD | 10 GB | 30 days | |
| 15 SGD | 18 GB | IMO | 30 days |
| 15 SGD | 10 GB | Facebook Messenger | 30 days |
| 20 SGD | 10 GB | Viber | 30 days |
| 20 SGD | 10 GB | 30 days |
Bundle Plans – Singtel
The Bundle Plans are data packages (without 5G NR access )for bundles of apps, such as e-commerce, video streaming & messaging apps.
Bundle Plans can be activated on the Singtel Prepaid hi!App:
| Price | Data | Plan | Apps | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 SGD | 10 GB | E-Commerce | AliExpress, Amazon, Carousell, Lazada, Shopee & Taobao | 30 days |
| 8 SGD | 10 GB | Banking | DBS, OCBC, POSB & UOB | 30 days |
| 8 SGD | 10 GB | Messaging | Line, Telegram, Viber & WhatsApp | 30 days |
| 8 SGD | 10 GB | Payment | Alipay, DBS Paylah, Google Pay, PayPal & Singtel Dash | 30 days |
| 10 SGD | 8 GB | Video | Likee, TikTok & YouTube | 30 days |
| 10 SGD | 10 GB | China | Baidu, QQ, WeChat & Weibo | 30 days |
| 10 SGD | 10 GB | Gaming | Arena of Valor, Candy Crush Saga, PUBGMobile & Mobile Legends | 30 days |
| 10 SGD | 10 GB | Social | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Twitter | 30 days |
My Review – Singtel
I had the chance to try out Singtel when I was in Singapore.
Be sure to read my Singtel review if you are considering getting a Singtel SIM card.
It is a relatively old review, making it cringe, but I will revisit Singapore in 2023. An updated version will be linked once available.
APN/Internet Settings – Singtel
- Name: Singtel
- APN: hicard
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
StarHub
StarHub is the second-largest mobile operator in Singapore.
Although it is often overtaken by M1 Singapore because the subscriber number between the two are similar.
StarHub is also the best overall mobile operator in the country together with Singtel.
Although StarHub is not the fastest as Opensignal claims – Singtel is (Speedtest/Ookla has way more data points than Opensignal, making it more accurate).
StarHub uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A shut down in 2017
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7 & Band 38)
- 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (N78) – not for prepaid (yet)
- VoLTE: Yes
- VoWiFi: Yes
This is what you will learn about StarHub:
* Coverage
* How to Get a StarHub SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* Review
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – StarHub
StarHub has excellent coverage throughout Singapore.
While this is true for all the other Singaporean mobile operators, it is still remarkable.
Below is StarHub's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – StarHub
You can get a StarHub SIM card for 8 SGD, 15 SGD, or 50 SGD in StarHub stores or convenience stores (7-Elevens or Cheers). StarHub SIM cards are also sold at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
The following three StarHub SIM cards are available:
| Price | Credit | Data | Social Data 1 | Roaming Data 2 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 SGD | 8 SGD | 1 GB (30 days) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 30 minutes | N/A | 90 days |
| 15 SGD | 15 SGD | 8 GB + 120 GB (28 days) | Unlimited | N/A | 5000 minutes (28 days) | N/A | 200 SMS (28 days) | 180 days |
| 50 SGD | 50 SGD | 100 GB (10 days) | N/A | 5 GB (30 days) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 180 days |
1 for Line, WeChat & WhatsApp
2 in Happy Roam countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the StarHub Traveler SIM cards – StarHub's tourist offering.
Sold for 12 SGD and 32 SGD, you will always get 100 GB of data – 100 GB is not a typo.
The following two StarHub Traveler SIM cards are available:
| Price | Data | Roaming Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD | 100 GB | 1 GB | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 32 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB (30 days) | 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | 5000 SMS | 12 days |
1 in Happy Roam countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
StarHub Traveler SIM cards are sold at the same locations where regular StarHub cards are available (although the 12 SGD variant may be “out of stock” – especially at the airport for upsell reasons).
Dial *123# to access the StarHub menu.
Dial *123*7*1# to change the system's language to English.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
StarHub has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Singaporean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Singapore (without personal detail capturing), you can get unlimited data eSIMs from Holafly (seven options):
- Unlimited/5 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Unlimited/10 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Unlimited/15 days
- Unlimited/20 days
- Unlimited/30 days
- Unlimited/60 days
- Unlimited/90 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!
No idea what or who Holafly is? Check out my Holafly review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than ten countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other neighboring Asia nations, consider the Holafly Asia eSIM to be used in 11 Asian countries with two variants:
- 6 GB/15 days (max. 500 MB/day) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/30 days (max. 500 MB/day) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Holafly review!
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off each Holafly purchase!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Singapore.
You can read about them in my Best Singapore eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Note that StarHub offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.
Heck, you can even use VoNR (Voice over New Radio (5G), which is still rare (but only if your phone supports 5G NR, of course) – but not for prepaid customers because StarHub does not allow prepaid customers to use 5G NR (yet).
Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – StarHub
StarHub top-up vouchers are sold in StarHub stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronics shops throughout Singapore.
The following (online) StarHub top-ups are available:
| Top-Up | Bonus Credit (30 days) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 SGD | N/A | 120 days |
| 18 SGD | 2 SGD | 180 days |
| 20 SGD | 3 SGD | 180 days |
| 30 SGD | 4.50 SGD | 180 days |
| 50 SGD | 7.50 SGD | 180 days |
| 80 SGD | 12 SGD | 180 days |
You also have the Voice and Data Top-Ups, which basically act as combo plans:
| Price | Credit | Data | Line & WeChat Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 SGD | N/A | 200 MB | Unlimited | 120 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days |
| 25 SGD | 10 SGD | 400 MB | Unlimited | 120 minutes | 500 SMS | 50 days |
To top up your StarHub SIM card, dial *123# and follow the instructions.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *123# to check your StarHub balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the StarHub Prepaid App app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – StarHub
StarHub has five data-featured prepaid plans:
All StarHub plans can be activated by dialing *123#.
I will list all the prices in SGD (Singapore Dollar).
To convert SGD to your currency (let's say MYR – Malaysian Ringgit) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Tourist SIM Cards – StarHub
| Price | Data | Roaming Data 1 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD | 100 GB | 1 GB | 500 minutes | 30 minutes | 100 SMS | 10 days |
| 32 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB (30 days) | 3000 minutes | 90 minutes | 5000 SMS | 30 days |
1 in Happy Roam countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
Happy Data 30 Plan – StarHub
The Happy Data 30 plan is a combo bundle with 3 GB of data (without 5G NR access), that can also be used in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States, 150 local minutes & 1000 local SMS for 30 days.
Happy Data 30 can be activated by dialing *123#.
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 SGD | 3 GB 1 | 150 minutes | 600 SMS | 30 days |
1 also in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
WOW Data Plans – StarHub
The WOW Data Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
You can activate WOW Data Plans by dialing *123#:
| Price | Data 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 3 SGD | 1 GB | 1 day |
| 5 SGD | 1 GB | 3 days |
| 8 SGD | 1 GB | 7 days |
| 10 SGD | 1 GB | 28 days |
| 18 SGD | 2 GB + 10 GB/Sunday (40 GB) | 28 days |
| 25 SGD | 4 GB + 10 GB/Sunday (40 GB) | 28 days |
1 also in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
The Social Data Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access) for Line and WeChat.
The following Social Data Plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *123#:
| Price | Line & WeChat Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 6 SGD | Unlimited | 30 days |
Social Data Plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *123#.
Happy Data 30 Add-Ons – StarHub
The Happy Data 30 Add-Ons are combo add-ons exclusively for the Happy Data 30 Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
Happy Data 30 Add-Ons can be enabled by dialing *123#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 SGD | Talktime Plus 15 | N/A | 100 minutes | 15 days |
| 15 SGD | Data Plus 15 | 2 GB | N/A | 15 days |
Review – StarHub
I had the chance to try out StarHub when I was in Singapore.
Be sure to read my StarHub review if you are considering getting a StarHub SIM card.
It is a relatively old review, making it cringe, but I will revisit Singapore in 2023. An updated version will be linked once available.
APN/Internet Settings – StarHub
- Name: SH Data Prepaid
- APN: shppd
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
M1 Singapore
M1 Singapore, just M1 and not to be confused with the M1 finance app, is the third-largest mobile operator in Singapore.
Although it often has been the second-largest whenever it overtakes StarHub.
M1 uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A shut down in 2017
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78) – not for prepaid (yet)
This is what you will learn about M1:
* Coverage
* How to Get an M1 SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* Review
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – M1 Singapore
M1 has excellent coverage throughout Singapore.
While this is true for all the other Singaporean mobile operators, it is still remarkable.
Below is M1's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – M1 Singapore
You can get an M1 SIM card, called M Card, for 14 SGD, 25 SGD & 27 SGD in M1 stores or convenience stores (7-Eleven or Cheers). M1 SIM cards are also sold at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
The following three M1 SIM cards are available:
| Price | Credit | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 SGD | 14 SGD | 4 GB (120 days) | N/A | N/A | 180 days |
| 25 SGD | N/A | 2 GB/day (56 GB) | 5000 minutes | 1000 SMS | 28 days |
| 27 SGD | N/A | 3 GB/day (84 GB) + 16 GB | 5000 minutes | 6000 SMS | 28 days |
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the M1Tourist SIM cards.
Sold for 12 SGD, 14 SGD (new), 30 SGD & 60 SGD, you will always get 100 GB of data – 100 GB is not a typo.
The following four M1 Tourist SIM cards are available:
| Price | Data | Roaming Data 1 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD 2 | 100 GB | N/A | 500 minutes | 20 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 14 SGD 3 | 100 GB (30 days) | Shared with data allowance | N/A | N/A | N/A | 180 days |
| 30 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB | 3000 minutes | 50 minutes | 5000 SMS | 12 days |
| 60 SGD | 100 GB | 5 GB | 3000 minutes | 50 minutes | 5000 SMS | 14 days |
1 for Hong Kong (SmarTone HK), Indonesia (Indosat & XL Axiata), Macau (SmarTone Macau), Malaysia (Celcom) & Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom)
2 available as an eSIM too
3 +14 SGD credit
M1 Tourist SIM cards are sold at the same locations where M Card SIM cards are available (although the 12 SGD and 14 SGD variants may be “out of stock” – especially at the airport for upsell reasons).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
M1 has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers… unless you get its 12 SGD tourist eSIM (so if you want any other (tourist) SIM card/eSIM, you are out of luck).
Note that the Singaporean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Nomad without personal detail capturing, you can get eSIMs from Nomad (16 options):
- 1 GB/3 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 2 GB/30 days
- 3 GB/5 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/10 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/15 days
- 15 GB/30 days
- 20 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices)
- 30 GB/30 days
- 40 GB/30 days
- 50 GB/30 days
- 100 GB/60 days
- Unlimited/1 days (new)
- Unlimited/3 days (new)
- Unlimited/5 days (new)
- Unlimited/7 days (new)
- Unlimited/10 days (new)
The best part is that you can get 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off using code ADU123 on your first Nomad eSIM purchase!
Promo: until the 30th of June, you can get 10% off plans with 10 GB of data or more by using code NOMADSUMMER23. If you do not need that much data, you can still use code ADU123 for the struck through discounted rates mentioned above – you are welcome 😜.
No idea what or who Nomad is? Check out my Nomad review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other neighboring Asian nations, consider the Nomad APAC eSIM (Asia-Pacific) to be used in 12, or 16 countries, depending on the plan, with eight variants:
Note: all plans 12 Countries Plan & 16 Countries Plan) can be used in Singapore.
- 1 GB/7 days (16 Countries Plan)
- 3 GB/15 days (16 Countries Plan)
- 3 GB/30 days ( 12 Countries Plan)
- 5 GB/30 days (16 Countries Plan) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days (12 Countries Plan) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/30 days (16 Countries Plan)
- 20 GB/45 days (16 Countries Plan) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 30 GB/60 days (16 Countries Plan)
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in February based on data up to the 7th of February.
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Nomad review!
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Promo: until the 30th of June, you can get 10% off plans with 10 GB of data or more by using code NOMADSUMMER23. If you do not need that much data, you can still use code ADU123 for the struck through discounted rates mentioned above – you are welcome 😜.
I have used, and will be using, the Nomad APAC eSIM in select countries it can be used in (I may try the Nomad SEA-Oceania eSIM instead – but in the long run, I will use it in all where possible).
- Be sure to check out my Nomad APAC eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Singapore.
You can read about them in my Best Singapore eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Note that M1 offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.
Heck, you can even use VoNR (Voice over New Radio (5G), which is still rare (but only if your phone supports 5G NR, of course) – but not for prepaid customers because M1 does not allow prepaid customers to use 5G NR (yet).
Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – M1 Singapore
M1 top-up vouchers are sold in M1 stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronics shops throughout Singapore.
To top up your M1 SIM card, dial #100*1*VoucherCode# or call 9760 0000 and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial #100*1*123456#.
M1 has several types of top-ups that act like plans.
You have the following Stay Connected The Way You Want top-ups:
| Price | Credit | Data | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 SGD | 10 SGD | N/A | 30 SMS | 120 days |
| 18 SGD | 18 SGD + 3 SGD (30 days) | 1 GB | N/A | 180 days |
| 20 SGD | 20 SGD + 3 SGD (30 days) | 2 GB (7 days) | 60 SMS | 180 days |
You have the following All-in-One Top-Ups:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 SGD | 1 GB/day (7 days) | 100 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 16 SGD | 1 GB/day (14 GB) | 500 minutes | 500 SMS | 14 days |
| 24 SGD | 2 GB/day (56 GB) | 5000 minutes | 1000 SMS | 28 days |
| 26 SGD | 4 GB/day (84 GB) | 5000 minutes 1 | 600 SMS | 28 days |
| 58 SGD | 2 GB/day (168 GB) | 5000 minutes/28 days (15 000 minutes) | 1000 SMS (3000 SMS) | 84 days |
1 +400 minutes to Bangladesh, 1000 minutes to China, 1000 minutes to India, 200 minutes to Indonesia, 500 minutes to Malaysia & 80 minutes to the Philippines
You have the following Power Up On Data and Voice:
| Price | International Credit | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 SGD | 5 SGD | 2.5 GB | 1000 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days |
| 30 SGD | 10 SGD | 5 GB | 1000 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days |
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *100*1*1# or *100*2*1# to check your M1 balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the M1 Prepaid app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – M1 Singapore
M1 has four data-featured prepaid plans:
I will list all the prices in SGD (Singapore Dollar).
To convert SGD to your currency (let's say MYR – Malaysian Ringgit) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Tourist SIM Card – M1 Singapore
| Price | Data | Roaming Data 1 | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 SGD 2 | 100 GB | N/A | 500 minutes | 20 minutes | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 14 SGD 3 | 100 GB (30 days) | Shared with data allowance 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 180 days |
| 30 SGD | 100 GB | 3 GB | 3000 minutes | 50 minutes | 5000 SMS | 12 days |
| 60 SGD | 100 GB | 5 GB | 3000 minutes | 50 minutes | 5000 SMS | 14 days |
1 Hong Kong (SmarTone HK), Indonesia (Indosat & XL Axiata), Macau (SmarTone Macau), Malaysia (Celcom) & Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom)
2 also as eSIM
3 14 SGD call credit
Data Packs – M1 Singapore
The Data Packs are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
Data Packs can be activated by dialing *100*3#:
| Price | Data 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 2 SGD | 100 MB | 3 days |
| 5 SGD | 300 MB | 30 days |
| 5 SGD | 1 GB | 3 days |
| 7 SGD | 1 GB | 7 days |
| 10 SGD | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 10 SGD | 11 GB | 7 days |
| 14 SGD | 4.5 GB | 30 days |
| 21 SGD | 15 GB | 30 days |
| 28 SGS | 60 GB | 30 days |
| 33 SGD | 100 GB | 30 days |
1 also in Hong Kong (on SmarTone HK), Indonesia (on Indosat and XL Axiata), Macau (on SmarTone Macau), Malaysia (on Celcom Malaysia) & Taiwan (on Chunghwa Telecom)
M1 Prepaid Tourist SIM Card Top Up – M1 Singapore
The M1 Prepaid Tourist SIM Card Top Up is a combo bundle with 300 MB (without 5G NR access), 60 local minutes, 5 international minutes & 100 local SMS for 1 day exclusively for the M1 Prepaid Tourist SIM Card. It cannot be purchased as a standalone plan.
The M1 Prepaid Tourist SIM Card Top Up can be activated on the M1 Prepaid app.
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 SGD | 300 MB | 60 minutes | 5 minutes | 100 SMS | 1 day |
The Social Packs are data bundles (without 5G NR access) for Facebook, WeChat, or WhatsApp individually.
Social Packs can be activated by dialing *100*3*3#:
| Price | App Data | App | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 SGD | 30 GB | 30 days | |
| 5 SGD | 30 GB | 30 days | |
| 7 SGD | 32 GB | 30 days |
Review – M1 Singapore
I had the chance to try out M1 when I was in Singapore.
Be sure to read my M1 review if you are considering getting an M1 SIM card.
It is a relatively old review, making it cringe, but I will revisit Singapore in 2023. An updated version will be linked once available.
APN/Internet Settings – M1 Singapore
- Name: M1
- APN: sunsurf
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
SIMBA Singapore, just SIMBA and formerly TPG Mobile Singapore, is the smallest mobile operator in Singapore.
It was also the newest entrant to the Singaporean telecom market in 2020.
However, SIMBA received its telecom license back in 2016.
After that, it started to build its network in 2017.
SIMBA is not really interested in prepaid customers because it has literally only one prepaid plan.
But the plan is affordable, and SIMBA has an extensive network, which is why I still include it in this guide.
SIMBA uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – never had it
- 3G: N/A – never had it
- 4G/LTE: 900 MHz (Band 8) & 2300 MHz (Band 40)
- 5G NR: 2300 MHz (n40), 26 GHz (n258) & 28 GHz (n257) – not for prepaid customers (yet)
- VoLTE: Yes
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about SIMBA:
* Coverage
* How to Get a SIMBA Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
SIMBA has excellent coverage throughout Singapore.
While this is true for all the other Singaporean mobile operators, it is still remarkable.
Below is SIMBA's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
You can buy a SIMBA SIM card for 10 SGD with 50 GB of data (100 GB during promotions), 1 GB roaming data (in India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan & Thailand), unlimited on-net minutes & 30 local SMS for 30 days in SIMBA stores. SIMBA SIM cards are not sold at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
If you are flying into Singapore Changi Airport, click on the link above to read about the SIM card options at the to save some reading time.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
SIMBA has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Singaporean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Singapore (without personal detail capturing), you can get Singapore Connect Lah! eSIMs from Airalo (five options):
No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.
If you plan on visiting other neighboring Asian OR Oceanian nations, consider the Nomad SEA-Oceania eSIM (Southeast Asia) to be used in eight countries with six variants:
- 1 GB/3 days
- 3 GB/5 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/10 days
- 10 GB/15 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 20 GB/30 days
- 30 GB/30 days
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in February based on data up to the 7th of February.
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Nomad review!
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Promo: until the 30th of June, you can get 10% off plans with 10 GB of data or more by using code NOMADSUMMER23. If you do not need that much data, you can still use code ADU123 for the struck through discounted rates mentioned above – you are welcome 😜.
I have used, and will be using, the Nomad SEA-Oceania eSIM in select countries it can be used in (I may try the Nomad APAC eSIM instead – but in the long run, I will use it in all where possible).
- Be sure to check out my Nomad SEA-Oceania eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Singapore.
You can read about them in my Best Singapore eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Note that SIMBA offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings but no VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
SIMBA has only one data-featured: Prepaid Plan.
It is a combo bundle with 50 GB of data (100 GB during promotions – without 5G NR access at all times), 1 GB roaming data for India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan & Thailand, unlimited on-net minutes & 30 local SMS for 30 days.
The Prepaid Plan is automatically activated when you buy a SIMBA SIM card, but it can also be activated online or on the My SIMBA app.
| Price | Data | Roaming Data | On-Minutes | On-Net SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 SGD | 50 GB | 1 GB 1 | Unlimited | 30 SMS | 30 days |
1 in India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan & Thailand
Prepaid Plan auto-renews. Auto-renewal can be disabled online.
APN/Internet Settings – SIMBA (formerly TPG Mobile Singapore)
- Name: SIMBA
- APN: TPG
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Singapore
Getting a SIM card from Singtel would do you well when considering a Singaporean SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Card in Other Asian Countries
Visiting other countries in Asia? Check out my region-specific SIM card buying guides:
- Central Asia
- East Asia
- (Middle East)
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia (revamped in September 2022)
- West Asia
Or check out my SIM card buying guides for individual Asian countries:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Support Phone Travel Wiz
It takes a lot of time to analyze, translate & review the SIM card options worldwide (especially to test them out).
Your support helps me keep producing impartial content by eliminating the need to recommend international SIM cards as the best local SIM card (but some of them CAN be useful).
Every Ko-Fi donation, one-time or monthly, helps me to spend more time creating local SIM card buying guides.
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience?
Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel!
Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises & accommodation.
Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling?
In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services & products I have for this site and my YouTube channel.
If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter
Get updates related to the newest guides, videos & recommended products and services.
Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on saving money while traveling every now and then.
Let's Be Social
Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone?
A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!
Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is
Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!