What SIM card for Malaysia for Singaporeans?

The prepaid SIM cards

I used U Mobile, Maxis, Celcom and Digi SIM cards and most expired due to failing to top up within the stipulated time thus confiscating the remaining amount of money prepaid.  This is a minus for owning a sim card without long life. Now, I only have Digi and Celcom SIM cards which serve me well.

The article I wrote 5 years ago (12 Nov 2009) was no longer valid as many have changed since.  Many points mentioned have their merits as they are the basic needs for Singaporeans in a foreign country.  Since then, the emergence of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) offers a spectrum of options to fulfill the needs of individuals at an attractive rate.  Our lifestyle has also changed dramatically when we are more addicted to smartphone.  Wifi and data have become our basic needs defying Maslow's theory.

Factors to consider

I list down some concerns for Singaporeans who are visiting Malaysia:

1. Calling minutes vs Online Data

There are 3 types of SIM card: Calling, Data or Both. Many are blindly buying any sim card for calling but who are you calling in a foreign land with few friends? Even if you have many relatives and friends, are you going to talk for hours instead of meeting them in persons?  If not, why are you going into Malaysia?  For some, they are conned into buying data-only SIM card and not realising that it cannot make any outgoing calls.

2. Speed of Mobile Network

Malaysia is different from Singapore.  It is still developing its 4G network and some companies only has 2G or 3G to offer.  The price can be cheap but the speed is worst than a 56k modem. Make your peace if you want to save a few penny and lose a dollar.  Some may throttle your speed after the maximum is exceeded.

Surprisingly, U Mobile is named the fastest mobile network in Nov 2015 by Ookla.

3. Network coverage

Without network, you cannot make any call or receive any data similar to a phone without battery.  For mobile network, 4G/LTE is vital for your network speed.  Bearing in mind that no telcom can cover 60% of the entire Malaysia (2015 Q3), you can get good network only in cities and towns.  This is deadly for MVNOs who are riding on to the Big 4 for bandwidth. 

We see that in the entire Malaysia, Maxis has the widest 4G coverage in Malaysia (~60%) while U Mobile has only (37%).  Celcom has the fastest 4G download speed (~15Mbps) while Digi has less than 10 Mbps.

4. Reliability of network

This is an important consideration but many ignore this important criteria.  The technologies also play a decisive role.  Let me illustrate below.

For Johor Bahru 4G network, Digi stands out as the best while Celcom is the worst.

For KL, Celcom wins with the strongest coverage in 4G while Maxis has the weakest coverage.

For Penang, Celcom wins by a narrow margin while U Mobile has zero 4G presence at all.  But you can expect U Mobile to provide 3G internet speed which can be up to 20 times slower than 4G.

If you go to Tioman, you can throw away your Digi, Maxis or U Mobile SIM because only Celcom has reasonably good 3G network.  Sorry, 4G must wait... longer.

In a nutshell, you cannot trust anyone who share his or her experiences with you because the destinations maybe different.  Malaysia has East and West portions and the coverage strengths vary for different telcos.  Specially for JB (Jan 2016), Digi has the strongest 4G coverage so it should be your default choice for SIM card for data speed.

For West Malaysia, Celcom is still the leader in reliability and network coverage.

5. Expiry date of SIM card

Normally, a SIM card will expire if you never top up after 6 months. So, it is not advisable to top up too much into it if you seldom visit Malaysia often.  For every top up, there is also an expiry date depending on the period you choose.  For instance, if you top up RM 10 for 7 days, the SIM card will be deactivated (cannot call and sms but you can receive call) after 7 days unless you top up again.  Therefore, even after you buy the SIM card, you must also choose wisely to select what type of plan is suitable for the period you are in Malaysia.  Read more on how to choose the best Digi data plan for prepaid.

6. Recharge Value

Many are attracted to a SIM card because they only need RM 1 for top up.  But you cannot expect to pay peanut for an elephant. Generally, the top up rates differ slightly so it should not be a concern here because I trust the market forces are at work.

7. Availability of recharge vouchers

If you cannot find any shops selling recharge voucher, you will waste precious time hunting for a voucher and this will disrupt your journey and plans.  Personally, I have a hard time finding Celcom vouchers in JB.  I understand from the shop owners that there is no demand for Celcom vouchers as most Johorians are using Digi.  Why?  You can find the answer on the 4G network coverage picture above.

8. MVNOs

They are the second-layer players piggy bag on the Big 4.  They offer attractive rate but fail to deliver on coverage and reliability.  They are as reliable as what their principals can provide.

From OpenSignal.com, Digi is obviously doing something right while Maxis is doing poorly in most areas.  A closer inspection reveals that Digi may have too many sign-up customers using 4G that saturates the download speed.  Celcom, on the other hand, has good reliability and download speed of 4G network.  This is a plus point for Celcom and its MVNOs.

Making Decision

Just focusing on Johor and JB, I list down the table for Big 4 focusing on 4G data, coverage, reliability, download and upload speed.

Digi has weakest signal in Johor but its reliability is the best.  The 4G network for Johor and JB are similar and Maxis is superior in all fields against U Mobile.  If you can live with U Mobile's spec together with a value for money offer, you can consider U Mobile and its MVNOs.  Else, we are left with only the BIG 3.

Between Celcom and Maxis, Maxis is a better choice as upload speed is a secondary concern and it is tough to buy Celcom's reload voucher in JB.  Thus, the final battle is between Maxis and Digi.

Since Digi always has a lower price tag for online data, it is the obvious choice and we shall bear with its slower download speed and its weaker signal.

You can consider Digi's MVNOs below but none can beat Digi on the voucher purchase:

1. Happy Mobile (nothing to be happy about with website down);
2. Tron (with 365 days of validity); and
3. Speakout (3G network with free incoming calls).

Things change and the above are valid for now and with TM joining the 4G race this year and RedOne offering RM8/mth postpaid service, the winners in this fierce competition will definitely be YOU.

What are you waiting for? Go JB and grab a Digi SIM Card now and read this BEFORE you step foot inside JB.