In Malaysia, mobile internet in Malaysia plays an important role for tourists when it allows them to stay connected, access information, navigate, and share their experiences. According to the report, the number of mobile internet users in Malaysia will reach 35.09 million before 2028, indicating a continuous growth trend.
Hence, the need to use mobile internet in Malaysia is increasing day by day. Today, we would like to share with you all the information about mobile internet in Malaysia. Let’s take a look!
In this article
Mobile internet coverage and speed in Malaysia has seen crucial improvements over the years. The country’s telecommunications infrastructure has developed significantly resulting in widespread mobile network availability across both urban and rural areas. Let’s see how mobile internet coverage and speed in Malaysia is:
There are 06 main mobile operators in Malaysia including Digi, Maxis/Hotlink, Celcom, U Mobile, Yes, and Unifi/Bebas.
Digi, known as one of the major telecommunications providers in Malaysia, offers extensive coverage and competitive mobile internet speeds. In some remote areas, their coverage may be weaker when compared to other providers such as Maxis.
Maxis can be considered a leading provider in Malaysia known for its wide coverage and fast mobile internet speeds. Maxis is generally reliable. However, the coverage often has issues in densely populated areas.
Celcom is another potential mobile internet provider with good coverage and fast speeds. However, users can experience inconsistent speeds and network issues in certain locations.
U Mobile is famous for competitive pricing and attractive data plans. They offer decent coverage in urban areas and reliable speeds. However, their coverage may be limited in some remote areas.
Yes is a 4G LTE provider in Malaysia that concentrates on delivering high-speed internet services. They offer good coverage in urban areas and competitive data plans. However, their coverage cannot be accessed well in rural areas.
Unifi – or known as Beba, is a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia. Unifi will provide its customers with reliable coverage and high-speed internet, especially in areas where their fiber optic infrastructure is available. However, their mobile coverage may be limited compared to other dedicated mobile network providers.
► Our recommendation: Maxis is considered the best mobile operator in Malaysia for its extensive coverage, fast internet speeds, and reliable service. This network carrier offers different plans for tourists to select – depending on tourists’ needs and budgets.
According to the report by Opensignal in March 2023, here are some details of Malaysia’s mobile Internet speed:
From all the above information, the speed of mobile internet in Malaysia is good, above 100Mbps download. 5G speeds are even higher at over 300Mbps for some providers. Nevertheless, latency is low. Overall, Malaysia ranks highly globally for mobile connectivity performance.
► Our recommendation: Depending on the given information, Digi appears to be the best mobile provider for speeds in Malaysia, followed by Unifi stood in the second position.
There are several ways for tourists to stay connected in Malaysia such as SIM card Malaysia, eSIM Malaysia, roaming with Malaysian operators, public WiFi, and pocket WiFi. Each option will have its pros and cons.
Below is a table comparing pros and cons of these connectivity options:
| Connectivity options | Pros | Cons |
| Malaysia SIM card | – Wide coverage within Malaysia – Familiar technology – Prepaid/contract plans available – Easy to buy and cheap price | – Requires physical SIM card – Hard to switch providers – Waiting for a long time if buying online |
| Malaysia eSIM | – No physical SIM needed – Switch providers digitally – Multiple providers – Easy to buy and activate SIM | – Require devices with a high-model |
| Roaming data | – Use the same provider when traveling internationally | – More expensive than local plans – Speeds may be slower – Limited data |
| Public wifi | – Free connectivity | – Security risks – Limited speeds – Usage data caps are often low |
| Pocket wifi | – Portable access to the Internet – Connect multiple devices – A good idea for traveling | – Additional rental/device costs – Security risks – Speeds may vary depending on the location |
► Our recommendation:
Pro Tip
Good to know: 1 USD = 4.65 MYR (as of January 2024)
Here are the estimated rate of mobile internet in Malaysia for different options:
Malaysia SIM card:
eSIM Malaysia:
Data roaming:
Public WiFi:
Pocket WiFi rental:
Note: The above prices are just a reference and they can be varied following times. Please contact the providers to get the exact cost.
► Our recommendation: From all the above, eSIM Malaysia and SIM card plans would be the most affordable and flexible options for tourists who travel to Malaysia. You can buy a SIM card from the operators of mobile Internet in Malaysia like Maxis and buy an eSIM via GIGAGO – known as the top eSIM provider via online platforms.
Using SIM cards is a good idea to access the mobile Internet in Malaysia because you can get connected with everyone at home effectively. There are some typical SIM card plans in Malaysia:
Note: This is just a reference price for you. Please contact the operators for the latest price list!
Pro Tip: This option is just only for those who have devices supporting eSIM.
When using an eSIM, tourists will experience the best service to get the mobile Internet in Malaysia. There are some pros of an eSIM when compared to a SIM card:
To buy an eSIM for travelers visiting Malaysia, you can purchase it from Malaysian mobile operators or via eSIM providers.
The six (06) mobile operators offering eSIM services in Malaysia are Maxis, Digi, U Mobile, Tune Talk, Xpax, and Red One. You can contact these operators to buy an eSIMs.
Below are SIM card plans offered by major mobile operators in Malaysia that you can consider buying:
Maxis:
Celcom:
Digi:
U Mobile:
Tune Talk:
Xpax:
Red One:
Most importantly, you should remember that buying an SIM card and eSIM launched by local mobile network operators requires you to show a passport or ID card for the registration process. Most countries have this policy, and Malaysia is not an exception.
Buying an eSIM from prestigious eSIM providers like Gigago is known as the most convenient and easiest way because you do not need to show anything. All the processes will be online and customers will not have to wait for delivery like buying a SIM card.
Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Malaysia, starting from a 5-day plan with 1GB per day for $5 as their most minimal plan. They also have 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB of total data, or 1GB to 3GB per day, with prices from $5 up to $89.50.
To buy an eSIM Malaysia on GIGAGO, you need to:
The average 4G mobile internet speed in Malaysia is around 25-40Mbps nationally with higher speeds in major cities. Rural areas may be slower.
Yes, most Malaysian SIMs include limited international roaming for basic calls/texts. For data roaming you need to activate a global roaming pack for usage outside Malaysia.
In conclusion, using mobile internet in Malaysia is the best option to get the Internet via SIM Card and eSIM – depending on device compatibility. Malaysia has an established mobile ecosystem providing convenient internet access. Moreover, mobile Internet in Malaysia is dramatically developing to meet the needs of international tourists and travelers.
Digi is a leading telco in Malaysia that provides various Digi SIM card & eSIM and connectivity solutions to consumers as well as businesses. In this article, we will explore Digi’s offerings of physical SIM cards and discuss the latest digital eSIM technology available on selected devices with Digi’s network.
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