One of the first things you must do in Singapore, post-relocation, is to set up your mobile connection. In this article, we’ll introduce the different telco service providers in Singapore and provide tips on choosing the right mobile plan.
Telco Service Providers in Singapore
The three most well-known licensed telco service providers in Singapore are: Singtel, StarHub and M1. All three providers offer competitively-priced subscription plans that facilitate both local and overseas calls. At the same time, they offer broadband and entertainment services that stream directly to your homes, effectively fulfilling all your communication needs.
Most recently, the telecommunications scene in Singapore has also witnessed the arrival of various mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), like Circles.Life, MyRepublic, and Zero1, to name a few. These virtual telcos do not build their own physical mobile networks; rather, they lease them wholesale from one of the existing telcos. For instance, Circles.Life leases from M1, MyRepublic from StarHub, and Zero1 from Singtel. Virtual telcos have gained traction in Singapore due to price competitiveness – they offer mobile data packages at cheaper prices.
However with the many options offered by the local telcos, you may now wonder how to choose the right mobile plan. We’ll elaborate in the next section.
Types of Mobile Plans
Mobile service providers in Singapore offer ‘SIM-only’ plans, as well as contract plans.
A contract plan comes with a mobile phone at lower prices. However, you will have to stick with your contract and chosen telco plan for the entire duration, which is approximately 2 years. This means that you will not be able to switch mobile service providers even if you are dissatisfied with their services.
A SIM-only plan provides users with only a SIM card, which contains talk time (outgoing/incoming calls), mobile data and SMS texts. Unlike contract plans, SIM-only plans do not come with a mobile phone. However, they are generally cheaper than contract plans since you are only paying for what you need, and do not need to pay for a new phone. For expats, we recommend purchasing a SIM-only plan if your current mobile phone is in good working condition, and you don’t see a need to switch mobile devices even after relocating to Singapore. Bear in mind that SIM-only plans are postpaid plans, meaning that you’ll need to present a valid long-term visa or work pass, as well as your residential address and a statement from your employer confirming your employment and/or residential status.
SIM-only plans differ from ‘prepaid SIM cards’ which offer a prepaid amount of credit that govern the usage of data, talktime and SMS. Prepaid SIM cards are best suited for you, if you are staying in Singapore for less than 3 months.
However, if you are staying in Singapore for the long run, and want to save money, get more data and switch telcos whenever you want, then the SIM-only plan is the best option for you! However, with the many choices available, how do you choose the right plan?
We’ve gathered a list of the top 10 cheapest SIM-only mobile plans in Singapore, as well as their details.
10 Cheapest SIM-Only Mobile Plans in Singapore (2021)
| Telco | Plan | Data (4G) | Price/Month | Talktime | Number of SMS | Caller ID | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero 1 | SIM-only plan (6u) (One-time registration fee of $10.70 applies) | 6 GB | $9.90 | 200 mins (outgoing, local) | 200 (outgoing, local) | Free | EXCLUSIVE: Get 1 month of free unlimited data with Zero1 when you sign up with Moovaz international relocation services! |
| Circles.Life | SIM-only Plan (20 GB) | 20 GB | $18 | 100 mins | 25 | Free | EXCLUSIVE: Save over $800 on Circles.Life mobile plans when you sign up with Moovaz! |
| GOMO | SIM-only plan (20 GB) | 20 GB | $20 | 200 mins (free incoming calls) | 200 | Free | - |
| Singtel | SIM-only 20 GB plan (12-month term) | 20 GB | $25 | 150 mins | 500 | $5.35/month | Extra free 10GB a month |
| Starhub | 4G $25 SIM-only 1-year Plan | 35 GB | $25 | 1000 mins | 0 | Free | Includes 12 months of Hotstar |
| M1 | SIM-only plan (40 GB) | 40 GB | $20 | 1000 mins (free incoming) | 1000 | Free | Unlimited free calls to 3 M1 members |
| MyRepublic | Core Plan | 20 GB + 30 GB data | $20 | 500 mins (free incoming) | 500 (free incoming) | Free | No extra charge for change of plans |
| redONE | Amazing28 | 20 GB | $28 | 700 mins (to all Singapore & Malaysia networks) | 30 | $2/month | Unlimited basic internet |
| Grid Mobile | SIM-only plan (20 GB) | 20 GB | $17.90 | 120 mins outgoing calls | 50 | Free | Free incoming calls, SMS |
| TPG | 50 GB SIM-only plan | 50 GB | $10 | 300 mins (local calls) | 30 | Free | +1GB roaming data for selected countries |
(Information accurate as of 27 Jan 2021)
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Singapore may offer a wide array of mobile plans, we recommend that you select a plan that best suits your telecommunication needs. Consider your data usage, talk time, SMS needs and other relevant factors, before settling on a mobile plan.
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