Singapore mobile providers like StarHub and Singtel are big on data roaming add-ons. But when it comes to making calls or sending SMSes while travelling, things get more complicated. Singtel and SIMBA (formerly TPG Telecom) offer call add-ons. But most mobile providers in Singapore use roaming rates based on the country you’re calling from.
Sending SMSes is a similar story. Basically, you’ll need a call and/or SMS add-on to talk and text overseas. Before we detail the best roaming plans for calls and SMS, here’s a list of popular mobile plans from providers that offer text and talk roaming add-ons.
|
#1
|
CMLink
200GB 4G SIM Only
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#2
|
VIVIFI
Roam Asia Super 5G
$15
Min. cost $15
|
|
#3
|
SIMBA
SuperRoam 39 SIM Only (Online Exclusive)
$39
Min. cost $39
|
|
#4
|
StarHub
Medium 5G SIM Only
$22
Min. cost $22
|
|
#5
|
Singtel
Enhanced Lite SIM Only 5G+
$24.50
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $326.70
|
|
#6
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
Mobile providers with calls and SMS in Singapore
We track 17 mobile providers in Singapore, but not every mobile provider offers both call and SMS roaming. Some telcos have add-on voice roaming packs, but most simply use a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system. The only telcos we found that didn't offer any voice or SMS roaming were GOMO, giga, Maxx, and Changi Mobile.
The table below has a full breakdown of call and SMS roaming for the mobile providers we track in our comparison engine.
| Mobile provider | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|
| StarHub | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| Singtel | Add-on, PAYG rates | Add-on, PAYG rates |
| M1 | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| SIMBA | Free voice roaming over VoLTE* | Incoming only |
| giga | Not supported | Incoming only |
| GOMO | Not supported | Incoming only |
| Circles.Life | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| MyRepublic | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| eight | 288 minutes voice roaming over VoLTE* | Incoming only |
| VIVIFI | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| Zero1 | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| redONE | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| CMLink | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| ZYM Mobile | PAYG rates | PAYG rates |
| Maxx | Not supported | Incoming only |
| Changi Mobile | Not supported | Incoming only |
*Voice over LTE (VoLTE) requires a 4G or 5G connection and is not supported in all destinations.
Best voice and SMS roaming overall
|
Singtel
Enhanced Core SIM Only 5G+
$40
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $72.70
|
Singtel has the best call and SMS roaming in Singapore, offering the choice of talk and text add-ons or roaming rates. We recommend pairing an SMSVoiceRoam add-on with the Singtel Core SIM Only mobile plan. SMSVoiceRoam packs start from just $5 for 10 minutes of outgoing local and Singapore calls, incoming calls, and 10 outgoing SMS.
The Enhanced Singtel Core SIM Only mobile plan costs $40 a month (plus $10.90 upfront for eSIM activation or $32.70 for eSIM) and comes with 300GB of data, 700 minutes of local calls, 700 local SMS, free caller ID, 1GB of Asia Roaming data, six months of Disney Plus Premium and six months of McAfee Mobile Security.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
Singtel
Enhanced Lite SIM Only 5G+
$24.50
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $326.70
|
|
#2
|
Singtel
Enhanced Core SIM Only 5G+
$40
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $72.70
|
|
#3
|
Singtel
Priority Plus SIM Only 5G+
$55
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $87.70
|
|
#4
|
Singtel
Priority Ultra SIM Only 5G+
$80
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $112.70
|
Best cheap voice and SMS roaming
|
MyRepublic
4G Classic
$10.90/mth
Min. cost $10.90
|
Consider MyRepublic if you want a mobile provider with cheap call and SMS roaming rates. We compared mobile provider rates across popular destinations across Asia, Europe and North America. MyRepublic consistently has the cheapest roaming rates for SMS as well as incoming and outgoing calls.
To keep costs down, we’re recommending the MyRepublic Classic Plan, which is currently on sale. It costs just $10.90 a month and comes with 500GB of full-speed local data (and unlimited speed-capped data afterwards), 5GB roaming data for use in Malaysia and Indonesia (plus an additional 2GB for the first three months), 400 minutes and 400 SMS.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
|
#2
|
CMLink
200GB 4G SIM Only
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#3
|
VIVIFI
Roam Value 4G
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#4
|
Eight
Editor's Pick
Double Eight 4G SIM Only
$8
Min. cost $8
|
|
#5
|
SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 10 SIM Only
$10
Min. cost $10
|
|
#6
|
Circles.Life
4G Core
$10.80
+ $0.30 Upfront
Min. cost $11.10
|
Best voice roaming
|
SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 12 SIM Only
$12
Min. cost $12
|
All SIMBA plans include free voice roaming over VoLTE, which means, as long as the country you're visiting supports VoLTE, SIMBA will waive any fees. The only catch is that the minutes you use while voice roaming will be deducted from your IDD allowance for that month. If you use it all up, you can purchase a Super IDD add-on for $5, which includes 500 minutes for 21 selected destinations.
Unfortunately, SIMBA (TPG) isn’t a great choice if you’re after a mobile provider that offers roaming SMS, as you can only receive texts, not send them.
We recommend the SIMBA SuperRoam 12 SIM Only plan. It costs $12 every 30 days for 500GB of data for use in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong, 28GB of roaming data for Bangladesh and Taiwan, plus a further 8GB for use in more than 60 international destinations. You also get unlimited calls to local mobiles, 600 IDD minutes, 100 Myanmar minutes, and 100 local SMS.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
|
#2
|
CMLink
200GB 4G SIM Only
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#3
|
VIVIFI
Roam Value 4G
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#4
|
MyRepublic
4G Essential
$7.90/mth
Min. cost $7.90
|
|
#5
|
Eight
Editor's Pick
Double Eight 4G SIM Only
$8
Min. cost $8
|
|
#6
|
Circles.Life
4G Core
$10.80
+ $0.30 Upfront
Min. cost $11.10
|
Best SMS roaming
|
MyRepublic
4G Classic
$10.90/mth
Min. cost $10.90
|
Once again, MyRepublic is a good mobile provider to consider for all forms of roaming, including SMS roaming, which costs just $0.15 for Zone 1 destinations, $0.65 for Zone 2 (which includes most destinations), and $1.15 for Zone 3.
As with our best cheap roaming pick, we recommend the MyRepublic Classic Plan. It's currently just $10.90 a month and includes 500GB of full-speed local data (and unlimited throttled data afterwards), 5GB roaming data for use in Malaysia and Indonesia (plus an extra 2GB for the first three months), 400 minutes and 400 SMS.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
|
#2
|
CMLink
200GB 4G SIM Only
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#3
|
VIVIFI
Roam Value 4G
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#4
|
Eight
Editor's Pick
Double Eight 4G SIM Only
$8
Min. cost $8
|
|
#5
|
SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 10 SIM Only
$10
Min. cost $10
|
|
#6
|
Circles.Life
4G Core
$10.80
+ $0.30 Upfront
Min. cost $11.10
|
Call and SMS roaming FAQs
Can SIMBA (TPG) roam in Malaysia?
Yes, a SIMBA (TPG) mobile plan can be used for call roaming (but not SMS) while in Malaysia. All SIMBA plans include free voice roaming over VoLTE, which means, as long as the country you're visiting supports VoLTE, you're covered, and whatever minutes you use while voice roaming will be deducted from your IDD allowance for that month.
Can GOMO be used for roaming?
No, GOMO mobile plans do not support calls or outgoing SMS while roaming, however you will still be able to receive SMS.
What is the cheapest roaming plan for Malaysia?
The cheapest mobile plan add-on for roaming in Malaysia is from MyRepublic for texts ($0.15 per SMS) or a three-way tie between VIVIFI, Zero1 and CMLink for call costs ($0.35 per minute for incoming and outgoing calls).
Does Circles.Life offer roaming in Thailand?
Yes, Circles.Life offers pay-as-you-go roaming rates for calls, SMS and data in Thailand. Incoming and outgoing calls start at $3.10 per minute and outbound SMSes cost $0.80 each.
Does M1 offer roaming in Australia?
Yes, M1 customers can either use a Data Passport add-on or pay-per-use roaming while visiting Australia. It costs $2.58 per minute for incoming and outgoing M1 calls within Australia, plus $0.67 per outbound SMS.
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