Should I sign up for TPG S$10 for 50GB data?

TPG's Offer

After 1.5 years of offering free mobile service, TPG has decided to charge for its mobile service and throw in a whopping 50GB of mobile data with 300 call out minutes and 10 SMS.

The financial industry is skeptical about the offer. If all 400,000 subscribers signed up, it will only contribute $48m yearly revenue if everyone sign up.  The setup cost of 4G infrastructure is estimated at $160m with a running yearly cost of $1.6m.  TPG is likely to charge more to capture more market shares and boost its revenue.

Is $10 for 50GB worth it?

The picture below depicts what are the choices that current consumers have.

The X-axis is the GB of Mobile Data (The bigger the better)

The Y-axis is the Cost of the Plan (The smaller the better)

The size of the circle depicts the call out minutes (The bigger the better)

So, plans located at the bottom right are the BEST plans.  And there is only 1.

It is the TPG plan which offers 50GB at $10.

At the same cost, the closest competitor is MyRepublic with 6GB of mobile data.

At the same GB, the closest competitor is Gomo's offer at $30.

TPG sets a new standard for value of market in Singapore for postpaid services.

What are the shortcomings of signing up?

1. 4G Phones: TPG provides ONLY 4G network so customer needs a 4G phone to use the service. In fact, the 4G phone must be LTE FDD supporting either 900MHz or 2300MHz.
2. Call out: For calling out, only certain phones with VOLTE+ are supported.  Else, customers must download TPG app for call out.  Well, you can use whatsapp to leave voice message or voice out since you have 50GB.
   
3. Support: There is only one office in Orchard and the alternative avenue of support is by email.
   
4. Network coverage: The biggest drawback is network limitation as TPG is a new network provider and they must lay out 4G network from scratch.  Underground carpark and MRT tunnels are blind spots with no network.  Sometimes, those staying or working at high floors (>30 floors) may not receive any network coverage.  These are not the target segments TPG is going after.

The BEST plan in the market and not for long...

From the chart above, this is the BEST plan in Singapore postpaid sim-only market. None of the competitors (including MVNOs) can match this offer.  So, it is safe to guess that TPG will likely increase the costs of the plan after 31 May 2020 to boost its revenue for profits. This is the same as the free 30 minutes plan offered by Circles.Life to boost its customer base.  Upon reaching its target, Circles.Life terminated the free plan.  We can expect the same execution from TPG.

So what are you waiting for? Go and grab the plan now from TPG online or visit their office:

Address: Orchard Central (181 Orchard Road, #04-28 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896)

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm

And before I forgot, there is a bonus 1GB of roaming data in Indonesia, India and Philippines.  Sign up early before the offer is gone.  I seriously doubt there will be another Telco coming into Singapore in the next 5 years.

Sign up for Circles Life Flex Plan now

DISCLAIMER

Let me start with a disclaimer below:

I do not work for and not related to Circles Life except as a newly signed customer. I do not receive any direct monetary or indirect rewards from Circles Life. I am promoting this plan because I strongly believe it will benefit you and me.

THE FLEXI PLAN

Allow me to continue...There are many postpaid mobile plan in Singapore and finally, Circles Life has launched the $0/month Flexi Plan in Singapore in 22 May 2018 (Straits Times).  So what is the big deal?

On the first look, it has nothing fantastic: 1GB of mobile data, 30 minutes of call time, 10 SMS and free caller ID. Right, that's all for a month.  When the quota is reached, you are blocked from the service and you have to wait for the replenishment in the next month.  Miserable for many but wait, it is $0 or FREE and with NO stupid contract.  Top up options are available if you have used up the freebies for the month. Note: This 30 minutes of calling time INCLUDES incoming calls.

This is attractive because Singaporeans always like free door gifts. But is this designed for you? Maybe yes, maybe not.

VALUE OF FLEXI PLAN

It is good to breakdown what are you signing up for:

• 1GB of mobile data = S$10.70
• 30 minutes of calling = S$8.025
• 10 sms = S$1.605

The total value of Flexi Plan is S$20.33/month w/GST.  Current rumour include $8 top up is needed for every 90 days. This is untrue and purely a myth to discredit Circles Life.

TOP UP OPTIONS

You may question if the top up are relatively higher in costs.  The top up options are:

• 1GB for S$8;
• 2GB for S$12 or S$6/GB; and
• 40 mins for S$5 or S$0.08/min.

They are neither the most premium or the best value so I consider them average.  The beauty is if you have exhausted the data, calling minutes or sms, they will not bite into your wallet so this limit prevents from overspending.  Caution spending is thus exercised which is healthy for shaping the spending behavior of kids or teenagers.

TARGET CUSTOMERS

The target segment is broad:

• Folks (especially seniors or kids) who are still relying on prepaid card at the moment;
• 2nd sim card if your phone (exclude Apple users) supports;
• Spare phone with a spare sim for 2FA or other needs; and
• Folks (especially students or foreign workers) who just need an emergency phone line.

What do you need to provide?

• NRIC
• Employment Pass
• 11B
• S-Pass
• Student Pass
• Work Permit
• Dependant Pass
• PEP

Clearly, travellers and foreigners are not suitable for this Flexi Plan.  One thing for sure, it is meant to cannibalise the current prepaid market.  For those on prepaid, it is good to know that you cannot port over your number directly. You need to convert to postpaid before you can do so.

This sim card is superb for local use (not for roaming) but will cut off its service if you exceed the quota. Yes, the conversation will stop abruptly if your 30 mins limit is reached.  Nonetheless, it is still a good card to own.

HOW TO SIGN UP?

The steps are simple:

1. Visit http://shop.circles.life/zero/plan;
2. Furnish your particulars with photos of your ID;
3. Pay S$6 delivery charges online;
4. Ensure you choose an available date/time for delivery;
5. Activate the sim card;
6. Enjoy!

CONCLUSION

$0 Flexi Plan is the best card to get in the market for local uses and the only suggestion to improve is the use of * to check on the credit balances which is not available. Stop procrastinating, get your card now.

Get your free 20GB Unifi prepaid simcard

The headache for Malaysia prepaid simcard

Whenever you wish to use your sim card when you are in Malaysia, the first problem you encounter is TOP UP. Yes, before you use it, you must top up the sim card...if it is still valid within 50 days since your last use. If you never top up for more than 50 days, the simcard is dead and all its credit, data, call and sms credits are confiscated.

So if it is still within 50 days since its last top up, you will probably first top up with RM10 in 7-11 store in Malaysia and then consider buying some data for use.  You have to utilise your credits and purchase RM10 for 10 days of validity.  That's right. Your RM10 can use for another 10 days and you cannot make outgoing calls on the 11th day but you can receive calls or sms in the next 50 days.

The cycle and the frustration repeats itself every 50 days.  This nightmare will not longer haunt you if you get the new TM unifi prepaid simcard.  Read on for more details.

Introducing Telecom Malaysia (TM) Mobile@Unifi

TM is the national carrier for all landlines and it monopolises East of West Malaysia.  It owes Webe post paid mobile so its network is undoubtedly the best, comparable to Celcom.  The joining of TM into the telecom red-sea market will possibly stirs waves of changes in the already competitive market.

TM is well established with many outlets all over Malaysia.  The plan they introduces make subscribers more convenient and create values over the current big 3 (Celcom, Maxis and Digi). So, what is the big deal?  It has no EXPIRY DATE!

Advantages of Mobile@Unifi

With no expiry date, you don't have to worry about the 50-day expiry condition. You don't have to worry about hunting for the 7-11 store for the mandatory top up before you start using the card. The call, sms and data credits remain unchanged and if they are not enough, you just need to top up.

Is this important? Yes, it solves the key concerns of current subscribers who are being inconvenience by the current big 3.  Once you bought the card, it should be rightfully yours for you to use the simcard as and when you need it.  Another possible benefit is you can download wifi@unifi app and use the country network of 8000+ wifi hotspots which are offered free till further notice.

The simcard has roaming so you can use in other countries outside of Malaysia.  And there is bonuses to join as early birds

Bonus for Early birds

TM offers a limited 1 million simcard for early birds and you must join before 31 Mar 2018 (or while stocks last).  For early birds, you enjoy 10 mins call, 10 sms, 50MB of 3G data and 20GB of 4G LTE data.  Note that they have no expiry dates as long as the card is active.  For any individual, you can get up to 5 cards so effectively you can get 5x20GB or 100GB of data for free.  The best part is you can subscribe for a GOLDEN number or number with your name for easy remembering.

Is there any catch?

Yes. First and foremost, you must collect the simcard personally at one of the designated TM outlet in Malaysia. Secondly, there is limitation on the phone for 4G LTE.  Your phone must be supporting 850MHz or LTE Band B5 else you will only be able to use 3G data.  Next, you can only top up online or via local credit cards with VISA/Mastercard. The critial constraint is you must keep your line(s) active which must meet either of the following requirements within 90-day:

• Make 1 outgoing phone call;
• Send 1 outgoing sms;
• Browse for 1MB of data;
• Reload any amount between RM10, 30, 50 or 100; or
• Buy any of the data or voice or sms passes.

These requirements are simple to meet if you frequent Malaysia once every 3 months.  If you are using data for navigation, you can easily hit 1MB of data within a day.  In the beginning, it is likely you get more 3G network over 4G LTE so we must be patient.  OK, interested to sign up for one?

What are the processes?

The process is simple.

1. Download Mobile@Unifi from Google PlayStore or Apple store;
2. Register to get 1 to 5 new SIMs (Hint: Use any hotel address and telephone);
3. Suggest to use passport to register for non-Malaysians;
4. Ensure the email address (required for verification) is correct;
5. Select the nearest TM outlet for collection (nearest to Singapore is Komtar JBCC (next to City Square @2nd floor lot 136 operating from 10am to 10pm);
6. Take note of the earliest date of collection;
7. Bring your passport to collect the sim on or after the date of collection;
8. Jolly well do the above asap or way before 31 Mar 2018;
9. Activate and enjoy your new simcard(s) with your golden number(s);
10. Throw away your current simcard after you have exhausted its value (hopefully, if 4G LTE network is working wonderfully)!

If you have any query, post your comment below for discussion.