Right, so you’ve picked where you’ll be staying. You’ve got all the documents and poured over the paperwork. Now you just have to get your phone connected to a line with data flowing.
But with the many options offered by the local telcos, where does one begin to choose the perfect mobile plan in Singapore? Well, it begins here with this guide.
Telecommunication companies in Singapore offer ‘SIM only’ plans as well as plans that come with a phone. Most ‘SIM only’ plans do not come with a contract, while phone plans come with a 2-year contract.
Here are the questions usually asked:
- What is a SIM only plan?
- What is a 2-year contract plan?
- What kind of plan should I get?
- What are the different types of plans out there?
What is a SIM only plan?
A SIM only plan offers a package of data, talk time (outgoing/incoming calls) and SMS at a fixed monthly cost. SIM only plans are postpaid plans and function much like traditional mobile phone contracts. The biggest difference with a SIM only plan is that it normally does not require the users to sign a contract.
Recently there has been an increase in local telco companies offering deals focused on data plans; a move that caters to the data-driven needs of everyday users.
SIM only plans differ from ‘prepaid SIM cards’ which offer a prepaid amount of credit that govern the usage of data, talktime and SMS.
What is a 2-year contract plan?
Contract plans see consumers locked into their chosen telco plan for 2 years. 2-year contracts come with a phone at cheaper prices. The only drawback is, being locked in for the duration of said contract means you won’t be able to switch telecoms if you are dissatisfied with their services.
What type of mobile user are you?
Determining your current usage is very important in order to find the best plan for you. Plan prices will vary depending on what you use the most.
Before moving forward, we suggest that it’s best to first understand what your needs and current/future usages are. Some people live for free data, others find it important to have free caller ID. We’ve listed the following factors for you to have a think about:
- Data Usage
- Talk Time
- SMS
- International calling rates
- Caller ID
Plans from Singaporean Telecoms
So here’s a list of what plans the telcos in Singapore offer to help you make a more informed decision.
SIM-only Plans
| Plan | Price | Data | Call Time | SMS | Contract |
| Starhub 15g | $25 | 15 GB | 100 Minutes | None | |
| Starhub 40g | $50 | 40 GB | 300 Minutes | None | |
| Starhub 70g | $80 | 70 GB | 500 Minutes | None | |
| Singtel 10g | $36 | 10 GB | 150 minutes | 500 | 1 year |
| Singtel 5g | $20 | 5 GB | 150 minutes | 500 | 1 year |
| Singtel 3g | $20 | 3 GB | 200 Minutes +$5.35 | 1200 +$5.35 | None |
| M1 | $30 | 30 GB | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
| My Republic Uno 18 | $18 | 1 GB | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
| My Republic Smart 35 | $35 | 15 GB | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
| My Republic Mega 55 | $55 | 25 GB | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
| My Republic Unlimited 80 | $80 | 80 GB | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
| My Republic Xtra 85 | $85 | 38 GB + 2 GB Roaming | 1000 Minutes | 1000 | None |
Mobile plans for iPhone XS Max
| Plan | Price | Data | Call Time | SMS | Contract |
| Starhub 50 | $50 per month + $899 device cost | 5 GB | 100 Minutes | 2 years | |
| Starhub 75g | $75 per month + $599 device cost | 30 GB | 300 Minutes | 2 years | |
| Starhub 105 | $105 per month + $349 device cost | 60 GB | 500 Minutes | None | |
| Singtel XO 48 | $48 per month + $899 device cost | 15 GB | 100 minutes | 100 | 2 years |
| Singtel XO 78 | $78 per month + $598 device cost | 50 GB | 150 minutes | 500 | 2 years |
| Singtel XO 108 | $108 per month + $348 device cost | 70 GB | 500 Minutes | 500 | 2 years |
| M1 48 | $78 + $595 device cost | 42 GB | 300 Minutes | 300 | None |
These telecoms offer plans with a lot of data so FaceTime, Skype, etc. could be used for international calling with no additional charge. However, if direct calls are desired, telecoms do offer international calling for an additional charge per minute.
International Calling Rates
| Service Provider | Price | Information |
| Singtel IDD 001 | $0.15 per minute | Calling to over 240 countries |
| Starhub IDD 018 | $0.08 | International calling up to 17 countries |
| Starhub IDD 018 VAS | $7 per month | International calling up to 17 countries |
| M1 | $0.02-0.45 per minute | Prices vary depending on where you are calling |
With the above tables, you can clearly see which telco plan offers the best service for your mobile usage needs. With such a large variety of telcos to choose from here in Singapore, it will be easy to find the plan that suits you best.
On a side note, telcos such as Circles.Life offer fully customizable SIM-only plans. The charges are entirely dependant on the chosen features. Thus, we have excluded such customizable plans from the table due to the boundless range of possibilities.
Additional Contact Information
Here are all the telcos you can find in Singapore and their respective contact information:
Contact number: +65 6820 1633
Contact number: +65 6235 1688
Contact number: +65 9680 1627
Contact number: +65 6717 1680
Circles.Life
Contact number: +65 8742 1330
This article is brought to you by Relogo and MetroResidences
MetroResidences is an online apartment booking platform which sources serviced residences to match your specific living needs. We remove the hassle from booking serviced apartments; connecting people to homes by providing a variety of options while building a community of trusted owners and tenants. Check out our Expat Life blog for tips and guides about Singapore-living!
