Are you paying too much for SingTel's Multi-SIM plan?
Micro-SIM cards, used almost exclusively in the Apple iPhone 4 and iPad, are simply normal-sized versions with most of the plastic removed. In fact, we've found that all it takes for a normal SIM card to fit into a micro-SIM slot is a handy pair of scissors and a file.
However, when I recently went to SingTel to subscribe to the Multi-SIM plan, I noticed a strange discrepancy. The telco offers a choice between normal SIM cards and micro-SIM editions. While both options charge the same fee for the connection and SIM cards, the plan with the micro-SIM actually costs double that of the one for the normal SIM.
Here is a breakdown of Multi-SIM plans in Singapore. Both StarHub and M1 offer micro-SIM plans at the same rate as the normal-size SIM option.
SingTel |
M1 |
StarHub |
|
| Connection fee | S$10.70 (US$8.60) |
Free |
S$10.70 (US$8.60) |
| SIM card fee (for first pair of cards) | S$32.10 (US$25.79) |
S$26.75 (US$21.49) (new customers) S$19.26 (US$15.47) (existing customers) |
S$21.40 (US$17.19) |
| Additional SIM cards | S$10.70 (US$8.60) per card (for the third and fourth card) |
No charge for third card |
Not applicable |
| Monthly charges for additional SIM plan | S$5.35 (US$4.30) (two-SIM plan) S$10.70 (US$8.60) (three-SIM plan) S$11.77 (US$9.46) (four-SIM plan) |
S$10.70 (US$8.60) (two-SIM plan) S$21.40 (US$17.19) (three-SIM plan) |
S$5.35 (US$4.30) |
| Monthly charges for micro-SIM plan | S$10.70 (US$8.60) (two-SIM plan) S$21.40 (US$17.19) (three-SIM plan) S$22.47 (US$18.05) (four-SIM plan) |
Same as above |
Same as above |
I don't know about you, but SingTel's pricing seems irrational to the consumer. After all, if micro-SIM does incur an additional fee, shouldn't it be a one-time charge instead of a recurring fee? The only reason we can come up with is that the pricing strategist at the telco probably discovered that customers who have both Apple products are willing to pay more for this service compared with those who need multiple SIM cards only because they have more than one mobile device. We've contacted SingTel regarding this matter and are awaiting a response.
About the author
Tracking laptop and PC trends since 2005, Darius Chang may have been knee deep in bits and bytes but is certainly not a binary person. Under that big and soft exterior holds a marshmallow core which dotes on his god-daughters and nephew. Suspected of ADD, his interests span disparate fields such as sustainability studies, diving, sports, politics, etc. A true jack of all trades, but master of one (maybe two).
Latest comments
I got a mobile phone shop to cut both my SIM cards for a fee and voilà, they work on both the iPhone and the iPad. I recommended this to a friend of mine who did the same and his worked too. To echo what kelleo said, no point paying extra monthly subscription if there is no need to.
Clumsy fingers might be costly if you need to get replacement SIMs. Why not get someone to cut for you at mobile phone shops for a fee or get yourself a micro-SIM cutter for less than $10 at http://buy4u.peeka.sg/featured/product/5858?
I cut my SIM card to the size of the micro-SIM and it works, why waste money?
While the Singtel price seem/ is irrational, I wonder why no one challenge or blame Apple for their micro-sim. Or are everyone buying the idea that Apple's invention is always the best.
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