In Singapore, there’s no shortage of things to see, from Orchard Road’s boutiques to the sights around Marina Bay. Staying connected makes navigating unknown neighbourhoods, booking transport, finding restaurant recommendations and sharing your vacation updates much easier. However, utilising your usual mobile plan on foreign trips can come as a rude financial awakening if your international roaming costs are astronomical or if your current plan limits your international data allowance.
An eSIM in Singapore plan allows tourists to use mobile data without needing the roaming service from their home network. Rather than paying their home provider for each megabyte of data they use while travelling, tourists can buy an eSIM plan for prepaid data. Knowing how these plans work, what they contain, and how to set them up might help travellers save money on connectivity while overseas.
Why and How International Roaming Becomes Expensive
International roaming refers to the ability to access a cellular network outside your native country. This is normally arranged by your current provider, who has deals with carriers abroad. The cost of keeping your number is usually negotiated by your provider, based on your provider, destination, and roaming package.
Some mobile plans include data packages for international destinations, whereas others bill separately for data, calls, and text messages. Travellers may find themselves paying more without having the correct roaming plan.
Data usage may creep up on you, too. Navigation apps, automatic photo backups, social media feeds, video streaming, and background app updates all use up mobile bandwidth. This usage can add up quickly, even for short journeys, if using a pay-as-you-go roaming plan.
Travellers should review their provider’s foreign roaming terms before travelling. Rates and data restrictions will be helpful information in deciding whether roaming remains an option or whether you’ll have better cost control with a separate vacation connection.
eSIMs to Save on Roaming
To put it more simply, an eSIM is a digital SIM profile stored on a supported phone. Unlike a real SIM card, you don’t need to place it in the phone to join a mobile network. Users can choose and purchase a plan online and download the profile and activate it as required by the provider.
In Singapore, a travel eSIM might offer a local/regional data allowance to a traveller. Travellers can use the prepaid eSIM to take their mobile data for daily Internet purposes, offering cheaper solutions than the home provider’s routinely roaming charges.
This limits expenditure, as each plan will generally have set terms, such as cost, data amounts, and duration, before purchase. Users know their limit, can monitor their usage, and know if they require a new data package.
However, eSIMs don’t completely remove roaming charges. If you continue to use the old SIM for mobile data, calls, etc., you could still be charged. This is why it’s important to have the correct phone settings.
Travel eSIM vs International Roaming: What’s the Difference?
Both solutions allow you to use cell services in another country, but they vary in how you purchase and stay connected.
The primary differences are:
- Charging method: International roaming is often packaged or charged by usage or daily pass. Prepaid eSIMs often display the pricing for the plan and quantity of data included before you make any transaction.
- Data: Depending on the existing provider’s roaming packages, bundles may or may not be restricted; travel eSIMs usually include a certain amount of data you’re allowed to use, depending on your location and purchase package.
- Activation: You may need to activate the travel eSIM when roaming with your home operator. eSIM: Usually available for purchase and installation before travel.
- Roaming will typically keep the home number for calls and text. Some travel eSIMs are not data-only and may supply a local number.
- Data control: Prepaid eSIMs allow you to segregate trip data from a home plan (as long as your phone’s on the right line).
Your journey isn’t one-size-fits-all. For instance, roaming might be easier for someone on an inclusive plan worldwide, or the guy who’s buying prepaid eSim for if he pops into a country with no cost-effective option abroad.
Things to Look for When Purchasing an eSIM in Singapore
Not all eSIM plans are created equal. Travellers can be money-savvy and compare features from one eSIM to another and avoid paying for things they won’t use.
1. Destination and Network Coverage
Check that your plan includes Singapore specifically. Some eSIM plans only cover one Asian country, while others cover multiple countries in Asia.
Also, check which local network the service utilises. Depending on your location, buildings around you, other networks, etc., availability, strength, and network performance may vary. Having “Singapore” plans does not mean you will be covered anywhere.
2. Data Limit and Expiry
Consider your data usage during your trip. Chatting, streaming videos, and sending video calls consume more data than merely typing and using maps.
Check when the allowance begins and whether it is for the entire journey. On some plans it is from the date of installation; on others it is from the first time your device is connected to a supported network. This will prevent wasted days or unexpected expiry.
3. Device Compatibility and Network Locking
Your smartphone must have eSIM capability, and it must not be locked to your current network operator. Also, eSIM compatibility varies by phone model and location (version).
Apple’s overseas travel guide also says you will need an unlocked phone to use with any other provider’s eSIM. Review your manufacturer’s specifications and your home carrier’s unlocking policy before buying a plan.
4. Making Calls, Sending Texts, and Using Hotspots
Most travel eSIMs only support data. This means no traditional calling or SMS, but it should allow messaging apps to work over a Wi-Fi connection.
If you want to receive verification codes to your regular number, verify if your phone is dual SIM compatible. You can keep your home SIM for calls and texts, while utilising the travel eSIM for data.
Activating Your eSIM for Free
Having your eSIM set up before you arrive in Singapore can make your arrival smoother. Most providers will provide you a QR code or app to install or instructions to set up manually.
Buy a plan for your travel dates. Next, install the eSIM as per the provider’s instructions (when on good internet). The profile may be inactive until you arrive in Singapore, depending on the profile’s rules.
Once you land, go to the mobile settings on your phone:
- Select the travel eSIM for data.
- Turn off mobile data switching on your phone if you have the choice.
- Turn off data roaming for your home SIM.
- If your trip eSIM provider requires data roaming to be activated, then turn it on exclusively for the travel eSIM.
- Check your connection and track your data usage.
These settings will prevent your phone from mistakenly accessing roaming data on your home network. Wary travellers can also pick their travel eSIM to mobile data and avoid or disable personal lines for data to ward off surprise bills, according to Changi Airport’s recommendations.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Travel Data
With a prepaid eSIM, you’ll have a set amount of data, but if you’re smart about your consumption, you can make the most of it.
If you’re visiting several neighbourhoods, load offline maps from your accommodation. Whenever possible, connect to secure Wi-Fi networks for large downloads, app upgrades, and photo backups. Also consider disabling auto-download of media in messaging apps and limiting background data for programs that don’t require constant internet connectivity.
Check to see whether your supplier offers top-ups or extended validity if you will be staying a while. For mobile possibilities in Singapore, travellers can also compare local companies like Giga for eSIM options and qualifications.
Remember that public Wi-Fi is not an alternative to mobile data. Stick to networks you trust and avoid logging into any important accounts using insecure connections.
Stay Connected in Singapore and Save Money
International roaming may work well for visitors wishing to maintain their current phone service and foreign package (if available). In fact, it can get pricey if you don’t have the appropriate data rates, data quotas, or daily charges to match the usage.
Alternatively, a trip eSIM lets the traveller acquire a Singapore-specific data plan. Travellers comparing plans and competitiveness of plans on network, cost, duration, and hardware support can therefore select a data plan suited to their travel and desired usage.
However, this requires a little legwork before travel and some attentive setup after the phone lands. Using a good plan and little moderation with data, it’s possible for visitors to find their way around Singapore and stay connected and enjoy their trip for reasonable mobile connectivity room fare.
