Nov 23 2011
Where to buy a prepaid 3G micro SIM in Singapore
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Getting a local SIM card in Singapore is as easy as popping into the nearest convenience store with your passport, and I’ve already written about how to buy one. However, if you need a prepaid 3G micro SIM card to fit your iPhone or iPad they are only available at select locations.
A rare species -- the Singaporean prepaid micro SIM.
Singtel offers its 3G prepaid hi!Card in a micro SIM version. It costs S$15 and comes with S$18 stored value, free in-coming calls, and 5 MB of free data. For more data, Singtel has the best rates with plans like S$1 for 10MB valid for 10 days or S$7 for 1 GB of data valid for 7 days. While voice service works right away, you need to activate the data service before you can start surfing (follow the instructions that come with the card).
Singtel’s prepaid 3G micro SIM cards are only available at Singtel retail stores – not at convenience stores like 7-eleven. There are many convenient locations including Bugis Junction and Ngee Ann City on Orchard Road.
Similarly, Starhub also charges S$15 for their 3G prepaid micro SIM card, but it is only available at UOB Foreign Exchange Booths at Changi Airport. More convenient and designed especially for short-term visitors is the “Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card” which is available as a regular SIM or a micro SIM. It also costs S$15 and comes with S$18 stored credit, 20 free text messages, and 30 MB free data. Additional data costs S$2 for 30 MB valid for 3 days, $4 for 200 MB valid for 3 days, or $7 for 1 GB valid for 7 days.
Starhub’s “Tourist” prepaid 3G micro SIM is available at Starhub retail shops, Esplanade MRT station, and selected shopping malls like Ion Orchard, Suntec City, and Funan Digital Mall. A full list of retailers is available here. While you certainly don’t need to be a tourist to buy the “Tourist” SIM card, it expires after 90 days unless topped-up (more Singapore SIMs expire after 180 days without top up).
Though M1, Singapore’s third telco, does offer prepaid services, micro SIM cards are only available for post-paid customers. When I enquired at one of their retail stores the staff suggested buying the full-size SIM card and having it cut down to size at Sim Lim Square IT Mall. Considering this service will cost you at least S$5 and risks destroying the SIM card, I’d suggest going with Singtel or Starhub
Don’t forget: you need your passport to buy any prepaid SIM card in Singapore!
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Tags: micro SIM, prepaid SIM, telecommunications
Do NOT buy the micro-sim ‘pre-paid’ Hi-card for your iphone/ipad from SingTel. It does not work – breaks intermittently. I spent almost 2 days visiting a SingTel store to get the issue resolved but to no avail. SingTel has a serious problem with pre-paid micro sim cards – they don’t work and their staff is not knowledgeable. I had to eventually give up and they refunded my money.
I then went to M1 – what a world of difference in excellent service. They informed me that their pre-paid sim card is full size and I would have to ok them to cut the card to micro size (at no extra cost) for my iPhone which I instructed them to do so. Now my iPhone works great with excellent coverage. So, M1 is the way to go for your iPhone and iPad.
I swear that I woulkd NEVER go to a SingTel shop for anything.
Hi sam – Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve been using a SingTel hiCard miro-sim for about a month with no issues.
Which M1 store helped you out? I went to the one at Bugis Junction and they said that the customer was responsible for cutting the regular SIM to microSIM size and, if it was damaged in the process, there wouldn’t be any replacement.
[...] jownsftw wrote: i don't think prepaid card can get micro sim right? anyway, TS. you were asking about changing on EDMW that day right? so never take postpaid plan uh? have la…depends u got moola or not Where to buy a prepaid 3G micro SIM in Singapore | Travelfish on Singapore [...]
I guess M1 has its own micro SIM card now for $15.
I read that StarHub has also Sim card for data packages. I was wondering to get Unlimited data and use Skype credit to make phone calls and send SMS. Since I using pre paid and needing lot of data would become more expensive than getting the unlimited data plus some credits from skype.
Here is the link:
http://www.starhub.com/content/mobile/prepaidcards/prepaidvas.html
http://www.starhub.com/content/broadband/onthemove/maxmobileprepaid.html
and for M1 prepaid is:
http://www.m1.com.sg/M1/site/M1Corp/menuitem.e2f30a2a1a1860b609b422103f2000a0/?vgnextoid=66cd609933b72010VgnVCM100000275a160aRCRD
I was wondering which is the cheapest prepaid with the more data.
The iPhone doesnt have to be unlocked right?
Hi Vince,
Yes the iPhone would need to be unlocked to use a sim card other than the one it was provided with.
Hi, we’re travelling to Singapore tomorrow and was wondering if we can get a pre-paid nano sim for our Iphone 5 to enable us to access phone / internet services while we’re visiting in Singapore. Which provider offers nano-sims for the iPhone 5 and is there a service counter at Changi Airport that will assist us with setting it up? Thanks!