Basics:
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Revision as of 11:45, January 23, 2017
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* '''M1'''
* '''M1'''
* [TPG Telecom - to start in 2017]
* [TPG Telecom - to start in 2017]
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SingTel is market leader, Starhub is the second position, and M1 is the third. Coverage and speed is excellent in the city on all three networks. 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz (until March 2017, see below), 3G on 900 and 2100 MHz, and 4G/LTE has started on all three providers on 1800 and 2600 MHz (with 900 MHz additionally on SingTel) and is available for prepaid without surcharge.
In 2015 LTE covers already 99% of the city outdoors and the MRT (= metro, subway) on every provider. For Singapore you need to bring a 3G/4G device as 2G is being switched off (see below).
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SingTel is market leader, Starhub is the second position, and M1 is the third. Coverage and speed is excellent in the city on all three networks. 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz (until March 2017, see below), 3G on 900 and 2100 MHz, and 4G/LTE has started on all three providers on 1800 and 2600 MHz (with 900 MHz additionally on SingTel) and is available for prepaid without surcharge.
+
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The coverage and speeds in this city state are supreme by all three providers. 4G/LTE covers all of the city outdoors and the MRT (= metro, subway). Note that for Singapore you'll need to bring a 3G/4G device as 2G is being switched off (see below).
In May 2016 the first MVNO started with '''Circles.Life '''on the M1 network. As it's only available online and doesn't sell prepaid products, it can't be listed here.
In May 2016 the first MVNO started with '''Circles.Life '''on the M1 network. As it's only available online and doesn't sell prepaid products, it can't be listed here.
==== '''4th operator''' ====
==== '''4th operator''' ====
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In September 2016 the bidding auction for a 4th operator was started. The winner was named in December with '''TPG Telecom''' from Australia,
which was
founded by the billionaire David Teoh. It will be provisionally allocated spectrum in the unusual 900 MHz and 2300 MHz bands to provide only 4G/LTE services starting in 2017. As per the terms of the licence award, TPG Telecom will be required to utilise the allocated frequencies to provide nationwide street level coverage for 4G within 18 months from the start of the new spectrum rights, with road tunnels and in-building service coverage within 30 months, and coverage for MRT underground stations/lines within 54 months from the start of the new spectrum rights.
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In September 2016 the bidding auction for a 4th operator was started. The winner was named in December with '''TPG Telecom''' from Australia, founded by the billionaire David Teoh. It will be provisionally allocated spectrum in the unusual 900 MHz and 2300 MHz bands to provide only 4G/LTE services starting in 2017. As per the terms of the licence award, TPG Telecom will be required to utilise the allocated frequencies to provide nationwide street level coverage for 4G within 18 months from the start of the new spectrum rights, with road tunnels and in-building service coverage within 30 months, and coverage for MRT underground stations/lines within 54 months from the start of the new spectrum rights.
==== '''2G network switch off''' ====
==== '''2G network switch off''' ====
2G/GSM networks of all three providers are scheduled to be shut down on April 1, 2017. So bring a 3G or 4G/LTE capable device.
2G/GSM networks of all three providers are scheduled to be shut down on April 1, 2017. So bring a 3G or 4G/LTE capable device.
−
All three mobile network operators have announced that any new prepaid SIMs sold after November
15th,
2016 will no longer support 2G.
The move
is designed to enable a swift migration to
more
advanced
services
ahead of the planned switch-off of Singapore’s 2G networks.
The statement adds that while existing
pay-as-you-go SIMs are not affected by the plan
, they would
urge
all customers still using GSM-based handsets to upgrade to a 3G or 4G-enabled device as soon as possible.
+
All three mobile network operators have announced that any new prepaid SIMs sold after November 2016 will no longer support 2G.
This
is designed to enable a swift migration to
3G
or
4G
ahead of the planned switch-off of Singapore’s 2G networks.
Existing
pay-as-you-go SIMs are not affected by the plan
.
But
all customers still using GSM-based handsets
are urged
to upgrade to a 3G or 4G-enabled device as soon as possible.
−
The sale of 2G-only mobile devices
will
be
banned from January
1st,
2017 or retailers or could be given a penalty. Licenced dealers will still be allowed to continue selling such devices, but only for export or overseas use.
+
The sale of 2G-only mobile devices
has
been
banned from January 2017 or retailers or could be given a penalty. Licenced dealers will still be allowed to continue selling such devices, but only for export or overseas use.
==== '''Regulations''' ====
==== '''Regulations''' ====
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==== '''Availability''' ====
==== '''Availability''' ====
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The lowest priced starter packs of the three providers for S$6 or
S$
8 are
proven to be
hard to find
in town
. You won't certainly get them at the airport.
They
are rarely sold downtown or
in
Chinatown,
but
in
special promotions
. The best place to find a S$6-8 starter is in Little India district in the small shops along Seragoon Rd. and around Mustafa Centre, where they are always 'on promotion' and heavily marketed.
+
The lowest priced starter packs of the three providers for S$6 or 8 are hard to find. You won't certainly get them at the airport
where they only their S$30+ packages
.
Low-priced starters
are rarely sold downtown or
to
be
found
in
Chinatown
. The best place to find a S$6-8 starter is in Little India district in the small shops along Seragoon Rd. and around Mustafa Centre, where they are always 'on promotion' and heavily marketed
. As many travellers stay only for a limited time in town, they might be the better choice
.
−
Going
to another country in SE Asia, note that Starhub and M1 offer cheap roaming packages to certain destinations, that might be an
option
if you stay there only for a short time.
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====
'''Roaming
option
'''
====
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Going to another country in SE Asia, note that Starhub and M1 offer data at the domestic (albeit pretty high) Singaporean rates in many SE Asian countries and even Australia. This might be an option, if you stay only for a short time and don't want to buy a local SIM everywhere.
=='''SingTel '''Mobile==
=='''SingTel '''Mobile==
[[File:Singtel.jpg|thumb|260x260px]]
[[File:Singtel.jpg|thumb|260x260px]]
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SingTel Mobile by the SingTel Group is the biggest provider in town and has a market share of about 45 %. The Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. is one of the largest mobile network operators in Southeast Asia.
It has a coverage of 99% for 3G and 4G/LTE: [http://info.singtel.com/personal/4G/network-coverage Singtel 3G 4G coverage map]. New SIM cards don't support 2G anymore and all 2G transmissions will be terminated by April 2017.
+
SingTel Mobile by the SingTel Group is the biggest provider in town and has a market share of about 45 %. The Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. is one of the largest mobile network operators in Southeast Asia.
+
+
It has a coverage of 99% for 3G and 4G/LTE: [http://info.singtel.com/personal/4G/network-coverage Singtel 3G 4G coverage map]. Note that new SIM cards don't support 2G anymore and all 2G transmissions will be terminated by April 2017.
==== '''Availability''' ====
==== '''Availability''' ====
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Their prepaid product is called '''"Happy Prepaid SIM'''" and sold in these different start-up packs in mini or micro sizes:
Their prepaid product is called '''"Happy Prepaid SIM'''" and sold in these different start-up packs in mini or micro sizes:
* for S$ 8 with S$ 10 credit valid for 90 days - see remarks in the Basics section
* for S$ 8 with S$ 10 credit valid for 90 days - see remarks in the Basics section
−
* for S$ 15 with S$ 18 credit valid for 180 days with
100
GB
*
of data for 5 days
+
* for S$ 15 with S$ 18 credit valid for 180 days with
15
GB of data for 5 days
−
* for S$ 50 with S$ 50 credit valid for 180 days and
100
GB
*
for
5 days and 5 GB of data for 30
days, sold exclusively at UOB Foreign
Exhange
at Changi Airport
+
* for S$ 50 with S$ 50 credit valid for 180 days and
15
GB for
10
days, sold exclusively at UOB Foreign
Exchange
at Changi Airport
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<nowiki>*</nowiki> = the 100 GB promotion is on 3G only and can be distcontinued everytime. The S$ 15 card is sold at StarHub shops [http://www.starhub.com/personal/support/locate-us.html StarHub Shop Locator], their exclusive partners, at 7-Eleven stores, Cheers, SingPost and Changi Airport at UOB Foreign Exchange. The
SIM card is valid for 4 months after activation without having made a top-up.
+
Their
SIM card is valid for 4 months after activation without having made a top-up.
==== '''Top-ups''' ====
==== '''Top-ups''' ====
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==== '''Happy Roam: Roaming offer ''' ====
==== '''Happy Roam: Roaming offer ''' ====
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Starhub offers roaming data in 9 countries for domestic rates called Happy Roam both on voice & data as well as data-only SIM card. You need to have bought a valid domestic (Singaporean) data plan before (see above). Android users may need to change their APN to 'shppd', iOS users need to download here a [http://happyprepaid.starhub.com/apn roaming profile] and install it. You may need to activate roaming by *123*333#.
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Starhub offers roaming data in 9 countries for domestic rates called Happy Roam both on voice & data as well as data-only SIM card. You need to have bought a valid domestic (Singaporean) data plan before (see above). Android users may need to change their APN to 'shppd', iOS users need to download here a [http://happyprepaid.starhub.com/apn roaming profile] and install it. You may need to activate roaming by *123*333#
before
.
Thus, you can simply use your domestic Singaporean plan abroad, including the data bonus given for top-ups. The 100 GB data promotion doesn't apply. This is the cheapest roaming option in Singapore together with M1 right now. Check data balance by *123#. If you are using more, you will pay the domestic default rate.
Thus, you can simply use your domestic Singaporean plan abroad, including the data bonus given for top-ups. The 100 GB data promotion doesn't apply. This is the cheapest roaming option in Singapore together with M1 right now. Check data balance by *123#. If you are using more, you will pay the domestic default rate.
−
These countries and networks are covered: Malaysia (
on
all networks), Indonesia (XL Axiata, 3), Australia (Telstra), Hong Kong (Three), South Korea (SK Telekom), Taiwan (FarEasTone and Chungwa Telecom), and Thailand (TrueMove), UK (Three), USA (T-Mobile).
+
These countries and networks are covered: Malaysia (all networks), Indonesia (XL Axiata, 3), Australia (Telstra), Hong Kong (Three), South Korea (SK Telekom), Taiwan (FarEasTone and Chungwa Telecom), and Thailand (TrueMove), UK (Three), USA (T-Mobile).
==== '''Technical settings''' ====
==== '''Technical settings''' ====
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To activate type *100*3*1# or do it on your online account. Unlike Starhub, packages don't auto-renew. Multiple subscriptions are allowed and the remaining data will be rolled over as long as another subscription is made before the current plan expires. Maximum data balance for prepaid plans is up to 4 GB at any given time. Any data usage in excess of the bundled data will be charged at the default rate.
To activate type *100*3*1# or do it on your online account. Unlike Starhub, packages don't auto-renew. Multiple subscriptions are allowed and the remaining data will be rolled over as long as another subscription is made before the current plan expires. Maximum data balance for prepaid plans is up to 4 GB at any given time. Any data usage in excess of the bundled data will be charged at the default rate.
==== '''Roaming offer for SE Asia''' ====
==== '''Roaming offer for SE Asia''' ====
−
Like Starhub M1 offers cheap data roaming at domestic rates without surcharges. You need to have bought a valid domestic (Singaporean) data plan before and enable data roaming with a provider lock by typing *100*8*1#. Data usage in these countries is at no extra cost debited on the domestic Singaporean data packages: Malaysia
on
Celcom, Indonesia
on
XL Axiata, Hong Kong and Macau
on
SmarTone and Taiwan
on
Chungwha Telecom.
+
Like Starhub M1 offers cheap data roaming at domestic rates without surcharges
, but in fewer countries so far
. You need to have bought a valid domestic (Singaporean) data plan before and enable data roaming with a provider lock by typing *100*8*1#. Data usage in these countries is at no extra cost debited on the domestic Singaporean data packages: Malaysia
(
Celcom
)
, Indonesia
(
XL Axiata
)
, Hong Kong and Macau
(
SmarTone
)
and Taiwan
(
Chungwha Telecom
)
.
==== '''Prepaid Travel SIM Card''' ====
==== '''Prepaid Travel SIM Card''' ====
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Their tourist
cards
ar
sold in two different offers:
+
Their tourist
card
is
sold in two different offers:
* S$ 30: including 100 GB data for 5 days, 1 GB of data, free incoming calls, S$ 15 for internation. calls and texts, $ 15 for local calls and texts, all valid for 7 days
* S$ 30: including 100 GB data for 5 days, 1 GB of data, free incoming calls, S$ 15 for internation. calls and texts, $ 15 for local calls and texts, all valid for 7 days
* S$ 50: including 100 GB data for 5 days. 5 GB of data valid for 7 days, free incoming calls, S$ 25 for intern. calls and texts, $ 25 for local calls and texts valid for 30 days.
* S$ 50: including 100 GB data for 5 days. 5 GB of data valid for 7 days, free incoming calls, S$ 25 for intern. calls and texts, $ 25 for local calls and texts valid for 30 days.