Summary
Using your cellphone in Singapore shouldn’t be an expensive proposition; particularly if you own a GSM phone that is compatible with the 900/1800 bands. It is essential to learn about cellphone roaming in Southeast Asia for detailed preconditions. Buying a prepaid SIM card from one of Singapore’s mobile companies enables you to stay connected and keep friends and family updated on your adventures.
Singapore stands out among Southeast Asian countries by offering a prepaid SIM card specifically designed for tourists. StarHub’s “Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card” provides travelers with numerous advantages: in addition to voice calls, SMS, and data, this card also grants access to the Singapore Tourism Board’s mobile guide app (available for Android and iPhone users) and free IDD 018 calls to the U.S. and seventeen other countries.
Tourist Prepaid Card holders can enjoy discounts and preferential prices at selected merchants and tourist sites, which enhances the overall travel experience.
However, one might wonder if purchasing this card is worthwhile. Is the coverage reliable across Singapore? Is the data bandwidth sufficient for your needs? Let’s examine these aspects closely.
Buying the Tourist Prepaid GSM Card, and Topping Up
Travelers landing at Changi Airport can easily find the Prepaid card by visiting a UOB Foreign Exchange counter after clearing customs. These counters prominently promote the sale of Tourist Prepaid Cards. You can expect to pay around SGD 33, which breaks down to SGD 15 for the SIM card and SGD 18 for a scratch card that can be used to top up the SIM with equivalent credit.
Setting up the Tourist Prepaid Card is straightforward. Simply insert the card into your GSM phone, and it will configure itself automatically. The SIM card comes preloaded with SGD 18 in credits, ready for immediate use.
If your credits run low, replenishment is easy, as top-up cards are available at any 7-Eleven throughout Singapore, Starhub stores, and various newsstands. Just scratch the card to reveal the number and PIN, then follow the clearly written instructions (in English) to add credits.
Upon activation, you’ll have access to calls and texts, as the card includes SGD 18 credit (excluding the SGD 17 top-up) and offers 20 free SMS messages.
SMS messaging: Each SMS from a Tourist Prepaid Card–enabled phone costs SGD 0.15 (approximately US$0.11), except for the free texts included. If you send five texts in one day, Starhub rewards you with ten additional free texts valid until midnight that same day.
Overseas calls: For U.S. visitors wishing to call home, using the “018” prefix allows for free IDD phone calls to the United States and several countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The 018 prefix can also be used for calls to other nations, but standard rates will apply.
To call the U.S. for free with your Tourist Prepaid Card-powered phone, simply dial: 018 (country code) (area code) (number) (call button)
Surfing on the Internet
The prepaid card includes a 30 MB data bundle, which is usable for internet surfing for three days from the first activation. If you anticipate exceeding 30 MB, you will need to purchase an additional data plan.
Besides, additional data bundles for your Tourist Prepaid Card start at SGD 2 (for a 30 MB bundle valid for three days) and can go up to SGD 20 (for a 1GB bundle valid for 30 days). Your guide acquired a 1GB bundle that lasted for seven days for only SGD 7.
To buy a data plan, simply dial *131 (call button) and follow the text instructions sent to your phone.
While data coverage is generally good, there can be moments—about 20 percent of the time—when the phone fails to access the Internet, despite having a strong signal. In these cases, a brief wait often leads to a successful connection.
Comprehensive information on data bundles is included in the documentation you receive upon acquiring your Tourist Prepaid Card.
Free YourSingapore Guide
One of the standout features of the Tourist Prepaid Card is the complimentary YourSingapore Guide app, available solely for Android and iPhone devices. This app allows users to access tourist attraction information without consuming data credits.
Moreover, the app not only details sites to visit around the island but also offers transportation insights, like route suggestions, maps, and fare estimates, assisting you in navigating Singapore efficiently. Additionally, the app enables you to call a taxi directly to your location.
The app syncs with the Singapore Tourism Board’s official website, allowing visitors to personalize their itinerary before arriving at Changi Airport. Sophia Ng, STB’s Executive Director for Brand & Marketing, emphasizes that “Visitors can begin their Singapore journey by designing their itinerary on the YourSingapore website before arrival, and utilize the extensive services found on the YourSingapore Guide app once they get there.”
Keep in mind that you will need to download the app (using your existing data) before availing yourself of its features for free.
The Lowdown
There are numerous advantages to utilizing this prepaid card: complimentary calls to the U.S., affordable internet access throughout Singapore, and a free app that aids in discovering Singapore. While the data coverage might not be flawless, the phone and text service provided by Starhub has consistently proven reliable across various locations throughout Singapore.
