Singapore roaming: Your guide to using data, calls and SMS overseas

If you’re travelling outside of Singapore, it’s worth considering roaming. Mobile roaming typically covers data but can also include calls (incoming and outgoing) and SMS. Here’s everything you need to know about global roaming for data, calls and SMS with mobile plans in Singapore.

Types of roaming

For Singaporean mobile providers, there are three types of global roaming. Data roaming may be included with a mobile plan, like those from Simba (formerly TPG Telecom) and CMLink. Typically, data roaming costs extra via mobile plan add-ons. Certain mobile providers also offer calls and SMS add-on packs. Note that you may also have to pay extra to make or receive calls, or to send SMSes. The table below outlines what roaming features you can expect from Singapore mobile providers.

How do I activate data roaming?

How you activate data roaming depends on your mobile provider. Most mobile providers require roaming activation via an app or by logging into a user account. Some like CMLink ask users to text particular phrases to activate add-ons.

Others have roaming automatically switched on. The main thing to remember is to have roaming and mobile data enabled on your phone when you’re travelling.

Alternatively, read our extensive guide on how to activate data roaming in Singapore, which covers all major mobile providers.

Data roaming

Data roaming lets users access social media, instant messaging, streaming and other internet-dependent apps while visiting eligible countries. Simba (TPG) includes data roaming for its users in 65 countries, while CMLink has a data inclusion for mainland China and Hong Kong.

Both of those mobile providers and all others offer data roaming add-ons to cover selected countries. Data limits range from as low as 1GB for budget options and up to 100GB. It’s more common to find data roaming plans with 1GB, 2GB or 3GB data allowances.

For instance, StarHub offers data roaming 1GB, 2GB or 3GB add-ons for 195 destinations total. Simba mobile plans include data roaming for 65 countries, but users can purchase 1GB of data for over 130 countries in total.

Regardless of the mobile provider, users should track data usage while travelling as it can quickly add up. Instant messaging uses hardly any data, but video calls, Google Maps and social media with images and video can use hundreds of megabytes each hour. Video streaming can use gigabytes every hour. The mobile plans below either bundle data roaming or offer separate add-ons.

#1	SIMBA	SIMBA SuperRoam 18 SIM Only 300GB data Unlimited National Calls 100 Messages $18 Min. cost $18 Go	$18 Min. cost $18	Go
#2	GOMO	GOMO 5G Jetsetter SIM Only 1000GB data 1000 Minutes 1000 Messages Deal: 88GB roaming for 3 months. Use code MO5GJETSET $27.15 Min. cost $27.15 Go	$27.15 Min. cost $27.15	Go
#3	Zero1	Zero1 Starter SIM Only 4G 100GB data 300 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: 5G included for 3 months + 2GB roaming $7.06 + $15.36 Upfront Min. cost $22.42 Go	$7.06 + $15.36 Upfront Min. cost $22.42	Go
#4	Circles.Life	Circles.Life 50GB Data Only 50GB data No Calls Included $8 + $8 Upfront Min. cost $16 Go	$8 + $8 Upfront Min. cost $16	Go
#5	MyRepublic	MyRepublic Saver Plan 88GB data 200 Minutes 100 Messages $8.71/mth Min. cost $8.71 Go	$8.71/mth Min. cost $8.71	Go
#6	VIVIFI	VIVIFI Lite SIM Only 4G 3GB data 300 Minutes 20 Messages $9 + $12 Upfront Min. cost $21 Go	$9 + $12 Upfront Min. cost $21	Go

IDD rates

When making calls from Singapore to other countries, you may be charged International Direct Dial (IDD) rates. Prices tend to vary by mobile provider and the country you’re calling. Certain mobile providers in Singapore like Simba (TPG) may also offer IDD rates for call roaming.

Call roaming

If you want to make calls overseas, most mobile providers in Singapore have separate roaming rates. Note that this covers incoming and outgoing calls.

Prices change based on the country you’re in. Mobile providers like Gomo don’t support calls while roaming. Simba (TPG) allows calls to and from Singapore with no extra roaming charges. Additionally, you can purchase a Simba Super IDD Pack to make outgoing calls or use IDD rates. Singtel offers 30-minute and 60-minute monthly plans for voice roaming; alternatively, there are also pay-per-use roaming rates.

Popular roaming countries

Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are popular countries for roaming plans. Asia-Pacific regions are also available in data roaming add-ons. Expect to pay more for roaming plans that include European and/or North America, plus global plans are also typically costlier. Note that mobile providers like Simba (TPG) have 65 included data roaming countries.

SMS roaming

The final consideration for travelling overseas is SMS roaming. Most mobile providers in Singapore offer pay-as-you-go roaming rates for incoming and outgoing SMS. These rates change based on the mobile provider (like StarHub, Circles.Life and M1) and selected countries.

Note that MMS may either cost extra or be unsupported. For an example of SMS roaming add-ons, Singtel offers a 7-day SMSVoiceRoam package, which includes 30 minutes of talk time and 60 SMSes.

SMSes are free to receive for Starhub and Singtel users from any part of the world. Simba (TPG) and Giga only allow for incoming SMSes while roaming, and Gomo only supports outgoing SMSes via IDD.

Singapore roaming FAQs

Will I get charged if I turn on data roaming?
Most mobile providers in Singapore charge extra to turn on data roaming, either with pay-as-you-go rates or as part of a roaming add-on. Simba (TPG) and CMLink include data roaming for selected countries.

Should you turn roaming on or off?
It’s a personal preference if you want to turn roaming on. There may be roaming costs involved, but with roaming switched off, you can’t use your phone’s full functionality overseas.

How do I turn on an international data plan?
Enabling data roaming varies between mobile providers in Singapore. For some, it’s already enabled and included, but it’s more common to charge extra for an add-on or pay-as-you-go rate.

Can I use Singapore data in Malaysia?
Most mobile providers in Singapore offer data roaming add-ons that include Malaysia. Simba (TPG) has plans that offer data roaming for Malaysia without paying extra.