How to Get Mobile Internet in Singapore for Travelers: What Option to Choose?

Latest update: April 2024

Mobile internet in Singapore has become an indispensable tool for tourists and travelers, providing convenience, connectivity, and access to essential information while exploring new destinations. Singapore, a thriving global city-state known for its technological advancements, offers an excellent mobile internet infrastructure that caters to the needs of tourists.

In this article

I. Mobile Internet in Singapore – Coverage and Speed

Let’s explore the development of mobile network in Singapore offered by 3 popular Singapore network operators: Starhub, M1 and Singtel.

1. Singapore Mobile Internet Coverage

3G:

All three operators: 99% coverage island-wide. Consider it basic mobile hygiene, all bases covered.

4G:

Starhub: Excellent urban coverage, but rural areas might experience signal dips.
M1: Strong, consistent coverage throughout urban and suburban areas. Rural areas might see slower speeds.
Singtel: The widest national 4G reach, extending into remote islands. Some urban pockets might experience congestion.

5G:

All three operators: Rapidly expanding, with most urban areas covered. Rural areas are still catching up.
Starhub: Focuses on 5G hotspots in key areas like business districts and entertainment hubs.
M1: Aims for nationwide 5G by 2024, currently strong in urban and suburban areas.
Singtel: The most extensive 5G coverage, including MRT tunnels and select rural areas.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 3 popular mobile network operators in Singapore

Starhub:

Advantages: Fastest 5G speeds in urban areas, competitive data plans.
Disadvantages: Rural coverage weaker than Singtel, some urban areas can experience congestion.

M1:

Advantages: Most consistent 4G network, strong value for money plans.
Disadvantages: 5G rollout slower than Singtel, rural 4G speeds might be slower.

Singtel:

Advantages: Widest 4G and 5G coverage, strong network reliability.
Disadvantages: Data plans can be on the pricier side, urban 5G might be congested.

Recommendation:

Best Urban data : Starhub for blistering 5G speeds and competitive plans.
Suburban stability: M1 for consistent 4G and good value options.
Nationwide coverage: Singtel for its blanket 4G and expanding 5G coverage.

2. Singapore Mobile Internet Speed

Download Speed:

Singtel: with an average download speed of 73.4 Mbps
Starhub: speed at 101.1 Mbps, offering smooth streaming and speedy downloads.
M1: Bringing up the rear with a respectable 51.9 Mbps, still enough for most online activities but might face congestion during peak hours.

Upload Speed:

M1: With a impressive upload speed of 14.7 Mbps, ideal for sharing those vacation pics or sending large work files in a flash.
Singtel: Follows closely with 14.4 Mbps, ensuring smooth video calls and uploads
Starhub: Bringing up the rear with 15.3 Mbps, still sufficient for most uploads needs

Latency:

Starhub: with a ping of 11.9 ms, meaning near-instantaneous response times for gamers and real-time applications.
Singtel: Not far behind with 12.4 ms, still offering a lag-free experience for most online activities.
M1: With a ping of 13.5 ms, it might experience slightly noticeable delays in fast-paced games or sensitive applications.

▶ Our recommendation:

Download Speed: Singtel reigns supreme, but Starhub isn’t far behind.
Upload Speed: M1 is the best
Latency: Choose Starhub for best convenience.

II. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Singapore?

Many ways to stay connected in Singapore

Here are some ways to stay in touch when visiting Singapore:

Forms	Features	Price	Reliability	Coverage	Convenience
Roaming	Use the current SIM to roam and connect to the Singapore network.	HIGH:Higher costs, including additional fees and charges.	MEDIUM:Depend on your operators.	VARIES: Depend on your home network and agreements with local carriers	MEDIUM:Not all network operators in your home country have connection and cooperation contracts with Sing network operators
SIM cards	Use a tourist SIM from your local country	MODERATEHave many options with different data and credit for your requirements	HIGH: Use local mobile networks, ensuring a stable and consistent connection	WIDE:Offer extensive coverage as they use local networks, allowing you to stay connected in various locations	HIGH: Be easy to obtain and use.
Free wifi	Use public Wifi in Singapore such as cafes, restaurants, malls,…	FREE:Free but limited, and some places may require purchases	LOW: Be available in certain places, but it can be unpredictable and may not cover all areas	LIMITED: Be limited to specific areas like cafes or tourist spots.	LOW:Require to search for hotspots, and the connection may not always be seamless.

Pro Tips: If you want to call without being afraid of running out of credit, SIM Card is an option for you. You just need to buy a SIM card and insert it in your current phone. This will give you a Singapore number and the same local rates Singapore enjoys.

If you don’t need to be online all the time, you can consider the Free-wifi option but remember that some public places also need to pay for wifi.

Read more: Check whether your device is unlocked with your current operator in your home country. To use eSIM, also check eSIM compatibility status.

III. Internet Rates in Singapore

Note: 1SGD = USD 0.75 (as of January 2024)

Option	Package	Cost
Singtel	ReadyRoam Worldwide	6GB for $40, valid for 30 days FREE unlimited in-flight roaming Up to 25% off on your auto data top-up
M1	Unlimited Roaming	From $15-$25/per day
Starhub	DataTravel Everywhere	1GB for $80, valid for 30 days
Wifi		Free but unstable
Prepaid SIM Card	Various packages	From $3.50, depending on your data you need or your trip length.

Note: Prices may vary, depending on your home country. Visit official websites of operators to check accurate cost.

As you can see, with affordable cost and various plans, Prepaid Singapore SIM Card is the best option for tourists. You just need some steps to activate your SIM Card and use it during your trip without any anxiety.

IV. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Singapore

Opting for a Singapore data SIM card is a fantastic choice for tourists who want to stay connected and keep in touch with loved ones back home using various apps. Here’re some popular packages available for tourists:

Operator	Plan name	Price range	Data	Validity
M1	Bespoke Flexi, SIM-only Plans	$20 – $80 per month	500Mbps, 1Gbps, 2Gbps, GamePRO 1Gbps	30 days
StarHub	SIM-only Plans	$25 – $100 per month	30GB – 300GB	30 days
	Phone Plans	$30 – $120 per month	Varies depending on the plan	Varies depending on the plan
	Prepaid Plans	$8 – $50	2GB – 100GB	7 – 28 days
Singtel	Combo Plans	$20 – $95 per month	10GB – 200GB	100 – Unlimited
	SIM-only Plans	$20 – $95 per month	100 – Unlimited	28 days
	Prepaid Plans	$8 – $50	1.5GB – 10GB	5 – 30 days

Note: the above price is for reference only. To update the latest information, contact the provider.

IV. Data eSIM for Singapore – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

Note: This option only works if travelers have a device with eSIM technology.

Besides some popular ways (such as portable wifi in Singapore, roaming in Singapore, physical SIM cards) to keep in touch with others while traveling, eSIM has emerged as a perfect alternative to the inconveniences of the above forms thanks to scientific and technological advances.

Below are some superior benefits of eSIM that you should take consideration:

Convenient for installation: With eSIM, you just need a QR code to get one. No need to disassemble. Therefore, no risk of losing the main SIM
Easier to switch networks: Instead of inserting a new SIM into your phone, you can switch to a different network quickly as up to five virtual SIM cards can be stored on one eSIM at a time. You also won’t need to go hunting for a SIM ‘ejector tool’ to remove the old SIM from your phone.
Have more than one SIM: eSIMs also offer the same advantages as dual-SIM phones with two slots for traditional plastic SIMs, the most obvious being that you can have two phone numbers on one device.

And if you are wondering which supplier can provide quality and reliable eSIMs for your trip to Singapore, we recommend Gigago as the No.1 eSIM service provider.

Gigago offers several data plan options for Singapore, with prices ranging from $1.50 – $81.50 . Their entry-level 3GB/5day plan starts at just $1.50 . With this range of affordable plans, Gigago can accommodate any type of user and trip length in Singapore. Whether you only need occasional internet access or plan to stream extensively, Gigago has a Singapore eSIM plan to fit your needs and budget.

Pro Tip: You should analyze your data needs and choose the Gigago eSIM plan that fits you best. Remember, data-only plans are cheaper but require separate calls (Wi-Fi calls or local SIM for outgoing).

V. FAQs

Are there public Wi-Fi hotspots in Singapore?

Yes, Singapore has numerous public Wi-Fi hotspots available in places like shopping malls, restaurants, and transportation hubs.

Is 5G available in Singapore?

Yes, Singapore has started rolling out 5G technology, providing faster data transfer rates and lower latency in select areas.

VI. Conclusion

Mobile internet in Singapore is highly developed and essential for tourists. With extensive network coverage, advanced connectivity technologies, and abundant public Wi-Fi, visitors can stay connected throughout the island. To access mobile internet, the best options are purchasing a local SIM card or using an eSIM, depending on device compatibility. These options offer affordable data plans with varying allowances and validity periods, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective internet experience for travelers in Singapore.