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. Some providers in Singapore offer roaming calls and SMS as part of their plans, but most use add-on packs or pay-as-you-go 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.
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#1
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SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 10 SIM Only
$10
Min. cost $10
|
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#2
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ZYM Mobile
Roam Eco 5G+
$17.10
+ $3 Upfront
Min. cost $20.10
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#3
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VIVIFI
Roam Asia Super 5G+
$15
Min. cost $15
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#4
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Singtel
Enhanced Core SIM Only 5G+
$40
+ $32.70 Upfront
Min. cost $72.70
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#5
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MyRepublic
4G Flex
$6/mth
Min. cost $6
|
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#6
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CMLink
300GB 4G SIM Only
$10.10
Min. cost $10.10
|
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 | Unlimited for 165 destinations | Unlimited for 165 destinations |
| 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
After a recent shakeup of its plan lineup, StarHub now offers the best voice roaming in Singapore with unlimited minutes and SMS for 165 destinations available on all its 5G SIM-only plans. To keep prices low, we recommend starting comparisons with the StarHub 5G Lite plan, which costs $22 per month and includes 150GB local data, 1GB Southeast Asia data (five destinations), 1GB global data (165 destinations), plus 1,000 local minutes and 750 local SMS. Yep, you actually get more roaming minutes and texts than at home!
For those needing more local data or minutes, consider a StarHub 5G Unlimited+ or 5G Platinum plan, both of which also include monthly credit towards a new device.
Also consider the following:
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#1
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StarHub
5G Unlimited+ Core
$38
Min. cost $38
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#2
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StarHub
5G Unlimited+ Plus
$48
Min. cost $48
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#3
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StarHub
5G Unlimited+ Max
$78
Min. cost $78
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#4
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StarHub
5G Platinum
$128
Min. cost $128
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#5
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StarHub
5G Platinum Elite
$188
Min. cost $188
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Best cheap voice and SMS roaming
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 things extra cheap, consider the 4G Flex plan. It costs just $6 a month and comes with 150GB of full-speed 4G local data (and unlimited speed-capped data afterwards), 1GB roaming data for use in Malaysia and Indonesia, plus 100 minutes and 50 SMS. If that's not quite enough, MyRepublic also have bigger data and 5G-enabled plans for less than $20 per month.
Also consider the following:
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#1
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MyRepublic
4G Essential
$7.90/mth
Min. cost $7.90
|
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#2
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MyRepublic
4G Classic
$10.90/mth
Min. cost $10.90
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#3
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MyRepublic
5G Basic $15.95
$15.95/mth
Min. cost $15.95
|
|
#4
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MyRepublic
5G Basic $17.95
$17.95/mth
Min. cost $17.95
|
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#5
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MyRepublic
5G Ultra $19.95
$19.95/mth
Min. cost $19.95
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#6
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MyRepublic
4G Unlimited Data
$25.90/mth
Min. cost $25.90
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Best voice roaming
|
SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 10 SIM Only
$10
Min. cost $10
|
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 10 SIM Only plan. It costs $10 every 30 days for 400GB of data for use in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, 12GB of roaming data for Thailand, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, and South Korea, plus a further 3GB for use in more than 60 international destinations. You also get unlimited calls to local mobiles, 500 IDD and local fixed line minutes, 100 Myanmar minutes, and 100 local SMS.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
SIMBA
Editor's Pick
SuperRoam 12 SIM Only
$12
Min. cost $12
|
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#2
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SIMBA
SuperRoam 18 SIM Only
$18
Min. cost $18
|
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#3
|
SIMBA
SuperRoam 20 SIM Only
$20
Min. cost $20
|
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#4
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SIMBA
SuperRoam 25 SIM Only
$25
Min. cost $25
|
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#5
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SIMBA
SuperRoam 39 SIM Only (Online Exclusive)
$39
Min. cost $39
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Best SMS roaming
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 4G Flex plan. It's currently just $6 a month and includes 150GB of full-speed local data (and unlimited throttled data afterwards), 1GB roaming data for use in Malaysia and Indonesia, plus 100 local minutes and 50 SMS.
Also consider the following:
|
#1
|
MyRepublic
4G Essential
$7.90/mth
Min. cost $7.90
|
|
#2
|
MyRepublic
4G Classic
$10.90/mth
Min. cost $10.90
|
|
#3
|
MyRepublic
5G Basic $15.95
$15.95/mth
Min. cost $15.95
|
|
#4
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MyRepublic
5G Basic $17.95
$17.95/mth
Min. cost $17.95
|
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#5
|
MyRepublic
5G Ultra $19.95
$19.95/mth
Min. cost $19.95
|
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#6
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MyRepublic
4G Unlimited Data
$25.90/mth
Min. cost $25.90
|
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 $5.30 per minute and outbound SMSes cost $0.80 each.
Does M1 offer roaming in Australia?
Yes, M1 customers can use included global data, 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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