Singapore

Basics
Singapore currently has three mobile operators, soon to be four: 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. No 2G is available (see below), 3G on 900 and 2100 MHz, and 4G/LTE has started on all three providers on 1800 (band 3) and 2600 MHz (band 7). From 2017 900 MHz (band 8) and 2500 MHz will be added, from 2018 spectrum on 700 MHz for 4G/LTE.
 * SingTel Mobile
 * StarHub
 * M1
 * [TPG Telecom - to start in 2018]

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 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 isn't listed here.

4th operator: TPG Telecom
In 2016 the bidding auction for a 4th operator was started. The winner was named in December with TPG Telecom from Australia, founded by 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 2018. 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 and lines within 54 months from the start of the new spectrum rights.

Singapore Airlines roaming
The operators heavily advertise data roaming on Singapore Airlines and some other airlines in-flight mobile networks. Unfortunately it's available only to postpaid customers and hence not accessible to foreigners and not mentioned any further.

2G network switch off
2G/GSM networks of all three providers were shut down on April 1, 2017. There is no 2G coverage anymore. So bring a 3G or 4G/LTE capable device. 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 has been banned from January 2017 or retailers could be given a penalty. Licenced dealers will still be allowed to continue selling such devices, but only for export or overseas use.

Regulations
In Singapore you have to show a photo ID to purchase a SIM card for registration. This can be done at any 7-Eleven or Cheers branch and takes some minutes. Be aware that you will be charged for incoming calls too in Singapore, like in the US, if they aren't included in your plan.

Availability
The lowest priced starter packs of the three providers for S$6 or S$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.

Roaming options
Going to another country in SE Asia, note that the operators offer data offer roaming data in many SE Asian countries and even Australia at the rather pricey Singaporean rates. 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 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: Singtel 3G 4G coverage map. 2G/GSM has been shut down in April 2017.

Availability
Their prepaid product is called "hi!card" and sold in very different start-up packs which are now all on 4G/LTE too. They are available at retailers like SingTel stores (locator), 7-Eleven, Sheng Siong Supermarkets, Cheers, SingPost and other authorized dealers, except those SIM cards mentioned below, that are only sold at Changi Airport. You may notice that you can't get the best deals at the airport (their outlet is at RHB Bank Currency Exchange counters), better go to a SingTel shop in town Singtel Store Locator or a postal office or for the best promotions around to Little India. The SIM card is valid for 4 months after activation without top-up.
 * for S$ 8: with S$ 10 credit valid for 90 days, in mini size only - see remarks in the Basics section
 * for S$ 15: with S$ 18 credit valid for 120 days, in mini or micro size
 * for S$ 20 data card: with 5 GB of data valid for 7 days, in mini, micro and nano size, no voice ore text included
 * for S$ 28: with S$ 28 credit valid for 180 days, in mini, micro or nano size, available exclusively at their outlet at Changi Airport (RHB Bank Currency Exchange Counters)
 * for S$ 38: with S$ 38 credit valid for 180 days and 1 GB valid for 7 days, in mini, micro and nano size, available at Changi Airport and retailers
 * for S$ 50: with S$ 50 credit valid for 180 days and 5 GB data valid for 7 days, in mini, micro or nano size, available exclusively at Changi Airport.

Top-ups
Top-ups can be made with hi!top-up cards sold all over town in the stores mentioned above and at 7-Eleven, Cheers, Sheng Siong Supermarkets, Shop N Save, Caltex service stations, SPC, AXS Stations, DBS, POSB and OCBC ATMs (with local cards only), ''iNETS Kiosks, Kopitiam foodcourts. SAM, SingPost'' among others. You can check your balance by dialing *139#. These top-up cards are available: Every time you top-up S$ 10 or more through their online site or their app, you will receive 500 MB data for free.
 * S$ 10, value S$ 11.50 valid for 90 days, free incoming calls for 10 days
 * S$ 20, value S$ 23 valid for 180 days, free incoming calls for 20 days
 * S$ 50, value S$ 57.50 valid for 120 days, free incoming calls for 20 days, available only at Changi Airport and SingTel shops
 * S$ 15 bonus card, value S$ 30 for calls and texts only, no data, valid for 30 days
 * S$ 22 datatalk card: value S$ 12 international calls, 250 MB data, 120 local minutes voice, free incoming calls and 500 local SMS valid for 30 days
 * S$ 28 superhot card: value S$ 28 for internat. calls and texts and S$ 100 for local calls and texts, valid for 50 days
 * S$ 30 bighot card: value S$ 30 for internatl. calls and texts and S$ 100 for local calls and text and 300 MB data, valid for 50 days.

Alternatively, Singtel offers top-up through any of their pay phones with minimum top-up at S$2. Prepare exact amount of coins. Top-up instructions are stated on top of their pay phones.

Default data rate
Their standard data rate outside of packages is 5.4c per 10 KB if you've started with a S$ 8 hi! card and 2.7c per 10 KB if you've started with a more expensive hi!card. So buy packages.

Data feature packs
Singtel features normal data plans and app specific plans. To activate any data plan dial *100#, call *363 for free or access http://www.singtel.com/hi (free). Laptop users send an SMS with '1' to 727050. The plans don't renew themselves automatically and you have to resubscribe. If you don't (re)subscribe to a plan or used all your included data you pay the default rate (see above). HOOQ (pronounced as hook) is a video on demand streaming service by Singtel and others featerung TV series and movies.

The following social data plans allow you to use data trough a specific app or website. All plans end at midnight of the running day. Don't forget to resubscribe.

hiData Roam - Roaming offer
For roaming in other Asian countries, they offer these packages, booked via *100#:
 * S$ 5: 100 MB for 7 days in Malaysia (Maxis) and Australia (Optus)
 * S$ 10: 1 GB for 30 days in Malaysia (Maxis), Australia (Optus), Indonesia (Telkomsel), Thailand (AIS) and the Philippines (Globe)
 * S$ 20: 1 GB for 30 days in China (China Mobile and China Unicom), Hong Kong (CSL), India (Airtel), Taiwan (Taiwan Mobile), Japan (Softbank) and South Korea (SK Telecom).

Tourist SIM card
Singtel released a tourist SIM called hi!Tourist SIM. It comes in three sizes: Note, that international SMS are not included. They are available at Singtel Shops, exclusive retailers, at all terminals of Changi Airport, at selected 7-Eleven and Cheers and ferry terminals and causeway points. These cards may be extended by accessing Singtel site at $3 per extra day, adding 5 min international calls, 500 MB of data, 100 local SMS, 100 min local calls each day.
 * S$ 15: 100 GB 4G data, free use of Facebook, WhatsApp, Line and WeChat (all max. 1 GB), 500 mins local calls and 100 local SMS, 30 mins international calls, all valid for 7 days
 * S$ 30: 100 GB 4G data, free use of Facebook, WhatsApp, Line and WeChat (all max. 1 GB), unlimited local calls and SMS, 90 mins international calls, 2GB roaming for Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia, Free Singtel Wifi, all valid for 10 days
 * S$ 50: For a twin card (2 SIM cards), allowances will be shared between the main line and the supplementary line. 100 GB 4G data, free use of Facebook, WhatsApp, Line and WeChat (all max. 1 GB), unlimited local calls and SMS, 90 mins international calls, 5GB roaming for Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia, all valid for 10 days

Technical settings
Dial *43327 for automatic configuration or type in the following configuration for yourself:
 * APN: hicard
 * enter *100*1# to check your card balance and expiry

More info
Website: http://info.singtel.com/personal/phones-plans/mobile/singtel-prepaid

StarHub
StarHub by local StarHub Ltd. is the 2nd provider in Singapore giving good speeds and coverage in 3G and 4G/LTE reaching a nationwide coverage. StarHub is the local partner of Vodafone and the only provider of HD Voice. Access to 4G/LTE is free and included in all prepaid plans. 2G/GSM has been shut down in April 2017.

Availability
Their prepaid product is called "Happy Prepaid SIM" and sold in these different start-up packs in mini or micro sizes: Their SIM card is valid for 4 months after activation without having made a top-up.
 * 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 15 GB of data for 5 days
 * for S$ 32 with S$ 32 credit valid for 180 days with 15 GB of data and 2 GB roaming data for 10 days
 * for S$ 50 with S$ 50 credit valid for 180 days and 15 GB for 10 days and 5 GB roaming data for 30 days, sold exclusively at UOB Foreign Exchange at Changi Airport

Top-ups
Their top-up cards are sold all over town in convenience stores mentioned above and direct top-ups at OCBC and POSB ATMs (local cards only) amongst others: Alternatively, top-up online by credit card or Happy prepaid app.
 * S$ 10, with S$ 10 credit, valid for 120 days
 * S$ 17 with 200 MB, 120 local mins and 500 local SMS, free incoming calls for 30 days,
 * S$ 20, with S$ 23 credit valid for 180 days, free incoming calls for 20 days
 * S$ 28 with S$ 10 credit, 400 MB, 120 local mins, 500 local SMS, free incoming calls for 50 days
 * S$ 30, with S$ 34.50 credit valid for 180 days, 10 MB data, free incoming calls for 20 days
 * S$ 50, with S$ 57.50 credit valid for 180 days, 10 MB data, free incoming calls for 20 days

Data feature packs
Default data is 7c per 10 KB. For social media they offer: To subscribe type *123*3#, select 3 for social messaging and choose the messenger. All plans auto-new, if not stopped. A FUP of max. 1 GB per day applies.
 * WeChat: S$ 0.40 per day, S$ 6 per month
 * Line: S$ 0.40 per day, S$ 6 per month

These general data packages are offered: To subscribe or check balance type *123# and follow instructions. Unlike social media plans, general data plans do not auto renew. Validity of the data plan can be extended by subscribing another data plan before expiry.

All SIM cards are on 4G/LTE too. From 2016, data plans will be 4G supported automatically upon activation.

Happy Roam: Roaming offer
Starhub offers roaming data in 13 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 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 15 GB data that comes with SIM card activation 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:

Data-only SIM: Prepaid Internet SIM
Furthermore, they sell a data-only SIM called Prepaid Internet SIM in all sizes for data and text only, no voice. Start-up price is S$ 18 with 2 GB data valid for 5 days. Speed is throttled to 7.2 Mbps. These top-ups are available either online or by top-up card:
 * S$ 6: 2 GB for 1 day


 * S$ 16: 6 GB for 3 days, max. 2 GB per day


 * S$ 25: 14 GB for 7 days, max. 2 GB per day


 * S$ 28: 2 GB for 30 days

Subscription is on your online Internet SIM account. No internatl. roaming on this SIM.
 * S$ 32: 3.5 GB for 60 days

Technical settings

 * APN: shwap /or/ shinternet
 * you may need to place a first call to activate data on the voice & data plans

More info

 * Website: http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/prepaid-plans.html
 * To check balance and to see your phone number dial *113#.

M1 (formerly MobileOne)
M1 (previously known as MobileOne) is the 3rd largest national provider in Singapore. Coverage on 3G and 4G is on par with the other two providers. All 2G/GSM has been shut down in April 2017.

M1 has launched its 4G/LTE service for prepaid in 2013. They claim theoretical speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s, coming down to 30 Mbit/s in reality. 4G/LTE is activated on every SIM card automatically or by #100*3*3#.

Availability
Their prepaid product is called "M Card" and sold in different start-up packs in mini, micro and sometimes nano size: The S$ 15 is sold at M1 shops (M1 shop locator), their exclusive distributors, authorised money changers and retailers, 7-Eleven, Cheers, Fairprice Xpress, SingPost among others. Their SIM cards have the longest validity of all Singaporean providers. It will be valid for 180 days from the day of activation without topping up. To extend validity, they offer add-ons for 60 days at S$ 0.99, for 90 days at S$ 1.40 and for 180 days at S$ 2.40 by *100*6*2#.
 * for S$ 5 with S$ 5 credit and 500 MB of data valid for 20 days - see remarks in the Basics section.
 * for S$ 15 with S$ 15 credit and 20 of data valid for 20 days

Top-ups
Their top-up cards are sold all over town in convenience stores mentioned above and electronic top-ups at AXS stations and SingPost with a bonus amongst others: You can also top-up online by credit card or app and have adding the ones mentioned above these top-up packages available:
 * S$ 5 valid for 60 days
 * S$ 17 with 200 MB data, 500 local SMS, 120 mins local calls, free incoming calls, valid for 30 days
 * S$ 23 with 350 MB data, S$ 12 value, 500 local SMS, 120 mins local calls, free incoming calls, valid for 50 days
 * S$ 18, with S$ 21 value, free incoming calls within 20 days, valid for 180 days
 * S$ 30, with 2 GB data, S$ 100 credit for calls and texts, valid for 30 days
 * S$ 10 with $ 0.50 bonus
 * S$ 15 plus S$ 40 for local calls and SMS, S$ 15 for intern. calls and SMS, free incoming calls within 10 days, valid for 50 days
 * S$ 18 with S$ 3 bonus
 * S$ 28 plus S$ 100 for local calls and SMS, S$ 30 for intern. calls and SMS, valid for 50 days
 * S$ 30 plus 2 GB of local data and $100 of local calls/SMS valid for 30 days


 * S$ 48: with S$ 12 bonus
 * S$ 88: with S$ 22 bonus

Default data rate
Standard rate outside package is 0.2c per KB.

Data feature packs
Their data packs are called 4G data plans:

To activate type *100*3*1# or do it on your online account. 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
Like Starhub M1 offers cheap data roaming at domestic rates without surcharges, but in fewer countries so far: All purchases are deducted from your M Card balance. To activate package dial *100*3*1#, to activate a net lock to the discounted networks dial *100*8*1#
 * in Hong Kong, Macau (both SmarTone), Indonesia (XL Axiata), Malaysia (Celcom), Taiwan (Chungwha):
 * 1 GB for 3 days: S$ 5
 * 1 GB for 7 days: S$ 7
 * 1 GB for 30 days: S$ 10
 * additionally in Australia (Telstra), Bangladesh (Robi), Cambodia (Smart), Sri Landa (Dialog), Thailand (dtac), UK (Vodafone), US (AT&T): 2 GB + 10 mins for 10 days: S$ 15

Prepaid Tourist SIM Card
Their tourist card is sold in two different offers: It's available in mini, micro and nano size at any M1 shop (see shop locator above) or in all three arrival halls at Changi Airport.
 * S$ 15: including 100 GB data, free incoming calls, 20 mins internation. calls, 500 mins local calls and 500 local texts, all valid for 5 days
 * S$ 30: including 100 GB data, free incoming calls, 50 mins intern. calls, 3000 mins local calls and 5000 texts, all valid for 10 days.

Data-only Plan: Prepaid Broadband
Their data-only SIM card is called Prepaid Broadband. It comes in different varieties in all 3 sizes:
 * 4G Prepaid Data Card: on 4G up to 300 Mbps. Starter: S$ 18 including 1 GB valid for 30 days. These top-ups can be added valid for 30 days (up to 10 GB) :
 * S$ 5: 256 MB,
 * S$ 17: 945 MB (not available online)
 * S$ 18: 1 GB,
 * S$ 28: 2 GB.

Switching between day and hour plan is allowed after your credit expires.
 * 3G Prepaid Broadband Card: on 3G up to 7.2 Mbps. Starter: S$ 18
 * day plan: starter includes 5 consecutive days. Top-ups:
 * S$ 5: 1 day,
 * S$ 18: 5 days,
 * S$ 28: 8 days.
 * hour plan: starter includes 9 hours valid for 30 days. Top-ups:
 * S$ 5: 2.5 hours,
 * S$ 17: 8.5 hours,
 * S$ 18: 9 hours,
 * S$ 28: 15 hours.

Technical settings

 * for data to work, you need to place a first call for activation after putting in the new SIM or go to *100*3# and activate


 * APN for voice and data SIMs: sunsurf
 * APN for 4G Prepaid Data card: prepaiddata
 * APN for 3G Prepaid Broadband card: prepaidbb
 * check balance with #100*2*1#

More Info
Website: https://www.m1.com.sg/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile/mcard