Choosing the right mobile plan in Singapore feels overwhelming when you first arrive — and honestly, I completely understand why. Three major telcos, a growing army of budget MVNOs, plans that seem identical on paper but differ wildly in real-world performance. It is a lot to navigate when you are also dealing with a new apartment, a new job and a new city all at once.
Here is the good news: Singapore has one of the best mobile networks in the world. Coverage is excellent island-wide, speeds are genuinely fast and prices have been falling steadily over the past few years as competition has intensified. Whatever your budget or usage pattern, there is a plan here that fits you perfectly.
In this complete 2026 guide we break down everything — the major telcos, the best budget MVNOs, the 5G situation, roaming options and our honest recommendations for different types of expats. By the end of this guide you will know exactly which plan to go with and why.
Once your mobile is sorted, make sure you have read our guide on opening a bank account in Singapore — the two are often the first things new expats need to set up together.
What to Look for in a Singapore Mobile Plan
Before diving into the plans themselves, it is worth spending a moment on what actually matters. Not all plan features are equally important — and knowing your priorities saves you from paying for things you will never use.
Data Allowance — The Most Important Factor
Data is everything in Singapore. Most expats use their phone constantly — Google Maps on the MRT, video calls home, streaming on lunch breaks, working remotely from cafes. In my experience, most working expats need at least 50GB to 100GB per month. Heavy streamers, remote workers and those who hotspot their laptop regularly should look at 100GB to unlimited plans.
Local Call Minutes
Most postpaid plans in Singapore now include unlimited local calls as standard. If you are comparing two plans and one has unlimited calls while the other does not, that difference matters — especially if you make frequent calls for work.
Contract vs No Contract
This is a bigger decision than most people realize. Major telco postpaid plans typically lock you in for 12 to 24 months. MVNO plans are usually no-contract and month-to-month. If you are new to Singapore and not yet sure how long you will stay, a no-contract MVNO plan gives you breathing room. You can always upgrade later.
Network Quality and Coverage
All three major Singapore telcos offer excellent coverage across the island. That said, Singtel consistently ranks highest for overall network reliability — particularly in underground MRT tunnels and the more remote parts of Singapore. If coverage reliability is your top priority, Singtel is worth the premium price.
International Roaming and Calls
If you travel frequently for work or make regular calls to family back home, check roaming rates and international call options before committing to a plan. Some plans include roaming data add-ons that are genuinely good value; others charge heavily for every megabyte used overseas.
Best Postpaid Plans from Major Telcos in Singapore 2026
The three major telcos — Singtel, StarHub and M1 — all run their own network infrastructure. When you choose a plan with any of them, you are getting direct access to their network with no performance compromise.
Singtel — Best Network, Premium Price
Singtel is Singapore's largest and most established telco. It is not the cheapest option but it consistently delivers the best network coverage — including deep in MRT tunnels, in shopping mall basements and across the entire island. For many expats, that reliability is worth every extra dollar.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Data | Calls | 5G | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XO 38 | SGD 38 | 50GB | Unlimited | No | 24 months |
| XO 58 | SGD 58 | 100GB | Unlimited | No | 24 months |
| XO 98 | SGD 98 | 300GB | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
| XO 148 | SGD 148 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes Priority | 24 months |
StarHub — Great Value, Excellent Bundles
StarHub is Singapore's second largest telco and is particularly strong if you want to bundle your mobile plan with home broadband. The pricing is competitive and the network quality is genuinely very good — only marginally behind Singtel in real-world use.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Data | Calls | 5G | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIGA 35 | SGD 35 | 50GB | Unlimited | No | 24 months |
| GIGA 55 | SGD 55 | 120GB | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
| GIGA 85 | SGD 85 | 300GB | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
| GIGA Unlimited | SGD 118 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
M1 — Competitive Pricing, Reliable Network
M1 is the third major telco in Singapore and consistently offers the most competitive pricing among the big three. The network quality is very good — not quite at Singtel's level in edge cases but for everyday city use, most people would not notice the difference.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Data | Calls | 5G | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mySIM 30 | SGD 30 | 50GB | Unlimited | No | 24 months |
| mySIM 40 | SGD 40 | 80GB | Unlimited | No | 24 months |
| mySIM 65 | SGD 65 | 130GB | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
| mySIM 95 | SGD 95 | 300GB | Unlimited | Yes | 24 months |
Best Budget MVNO Plans in Singapore 2026
MVNOs use the infrastructure of the major telcos but offer plans at significantly lower prices. In Singapore the MVNO market has matured enormously and some providers genuinely rival the major telcos on everything except brand recognition.
Circles.Life
Runs on M1 network. Singapore's most innovative MVNO with a brilliant app, data rollover and complete plan flexibility. No contract on any plan.
50GB: SGD 30/month
Unlimited: SGD 48/month
giga! by StarHub
StarHub's digital-only sub-brand. Simple plans, excellent StarHub network coverage, no contract and SIM delivered to your door.
50GB: SGD 25/month
Unlimited: SGD 35/month
MyRepublic Mobile
Great value especially when bundled with MyRepublic home broadband. Solid data plans with no contract and a good rollover policy.
50GB: SGD 28/month
100GB: SGD 35/month
TPG Telecom
Singapore's newest network operator with the most aggressive pricing in the market. If price is your absolute priority, TPG delivers.
30GB: SGD 18/month
Unlimited: SGD 38/month
Full Singapore Mobile Plans Comparison 2026
| Provider | Plan | Price/Month | Data | Calls | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singtel | XO 58 | SGD 58 | 100GB | Unlimited | 24 months |
| StarHub | GIGA 55 | SGD 55 | 120GB | Unlimited | 24 months |
| M1 | mySIM 30 | SGD 30 | 50GB | Unlimited | 24 months |
| Circles.Life | 50GB | SGD 30 | 50GB | Unlimited | None |
| giga! | 50GB | SGD 25 | 50GB | Unlimited | None |
| MyRepublic | Plus 50GB | SGD 28 | 50GB | Unlimited | None |
| TPG | 30GB | SGD 18 | 30GB | Limited | None |
How to Get a SIM Card in Singapore as a New Expat
Getting set up on a Singapore number is quick and straightforward. Here are your options:
- At Changi Airport — all major telcos have counters in the Arrival Hall. Pick up a prepaid tourist SIM to cover your first few days while you sort out a proper plan.
- At telco retail stores — found in every major shopping mall. Bring your passport and work pass. Account activated same day.
- Online sign-up — most MVNOs like Circles.Life and giga! allow full online sign-up with SIM delivered to your address within 1 to 2 working days.
- Port your existing number — if you already have a Singapore number and want to switch providers, number porting is free and takes about 3 working days.
Tips to Get the Best Mobile Deal in Singapore
- Always check current promotions before signing up — telcos and MVNOs run sign-up deals constantly with free months, bonus data and gift vouchers.
- Ask your employer about corporate plans — many large companies negotiate corporate mobile rates that can save you SGD 15 to SGD 30 per month.
- Start with an MVNO if you are unsure about your data usage — Circles.Life or giga! let you test real-world usage before committing to a long telco contract.
- Port your number to save money — switching providers costs nothing and keeps your existing number. Takes about 3 working days.
- Read the fine print on additional fees — some plans charge separately for caller ID or voicemail. Know your true monthly cost before signing up.
- Consider bundling mobile with broadband — StarHub and MyRepublic both offer attractive discounts when you bundle mobile and home internet together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Circles.Life consistently offers the best data-to-price ratio in Singapore. Their 50GB plan at SGD 30/month with no contract and data rollover is hard to beat. For unlimited data at the lowest price, giga! Unlimited at SGD 35/month on the StarHub network is exceptional value.
Most modern smartphones are unlocked and will work with any Singapore SIM card. If your phone was purchased through a carrier in your home country it may be locked to that network. You will need to request an unlock from your original carrier before using a Singapore SIM — this is usually free if your contract has ended.
At a telco store, SIM activation is usually instant — you walk out with a working number. For online orders, the SIM is typically mailed within 1 to 2 working days and activated within a few hours of delivery. MVNO sign-ups through apps like Circles.Life are very fast once your documents are verified.
M1 and Circles.Life consistently receive the highest customer service ratings. Singtel has the largest number of retail locations which some expats prefer for face-to-face support. In our experience, Circles.Life's in-app support is the fastest for resolving issues without needing to visit a store.
Yes. Singapore has full mobile number portability — you can switch to any provider and keep your existing number. The porting process takes approximately 3 working days and is completely free. Your service will be briefly interrupted during the switch but this is typically less than 30 minutes.
MVNOs in Singapore use the infrastructure of major telcos so the physical coverage is identical. Circles.Life uses M1's network, giga! uses StarHub's network. During periods of extreme network congestion, major telco subscribers may be given priority — but in everyday Singapore use, most people cannot tell the difference at all.
If you have a 5G-capable phone and the price premium is small, yes — choose a 5G plan. Singapore's 5G rollout is progressing quickly and coverage in central areas is already excellent. StarHub's GIGA 55 gives you 5G access and 120GB for SGD 55/month — genuinely competitive pricing for a 5G plan on a major network.
Useful Official Links
- Singtel Singapore: singtel.com
- StarHub Singapore: starhub.com
- M1 Singapore: m1.com.sg
- Circles.Life: circles.life/sg
- giga! by StarHub: giga.com.sg
- IMDA Singapore: imda.gov.sg
Final Thoughts
Singapore's mobile market is one of the most competitive in Asia — and that is great news for expats. Whether you want the absolute best network money can buy or the leanest possible plan that still gets the job done, there is an option here that fits perfectly.
For most new expats our advice is simple: grab a prepaid SIM at Changi Airport for your first few days, spend a week tracking your actual data usage and then sign up for the plan that matches your real-world needs. Do not over-commit to a 24-month contract until you know exactly how you use your phone in Singapore.
Once your mobile is sorted, the next priority is getting your Singapore bank account set up. Read our complete guide on opening a bank account in Singapore and our dedicated DBS bank account guide to get your finances sorted from day one.
Have Questions About Mobile Plans in Singapore?
Drop a comment below and we will help you find the perfect plan for your needs and budget. Browse more expat guides at ExpatWiki.
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