International mobile usage (KL, Singapore)

rambutann on 11/06/2014 - 10:54

Hello ozbargainers!

In less than a month I will be traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Sri Lanka. I realllly need to have access to a phone in kl and Singapore to phone tenants of apartments I've booked. What is the cheapest way to go about this global roaming scenario? I'm with live connected so I don't want to pay the $100 deposit thing to use global roaming (unless it's changed)

I looked briefly at woolworths global roaming and it seemed okay.
I'd be happy to buy sims over there if it's cheaper, I'd prefer not to buy two sims but if that's cheaper then I will.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mobile

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 11/06/2014 - 11:16
    +1

    Buy SIMs there.

  • bluedufflecoat on 11/06/2014 - 11:21

    Without a doubt, buy a local sim. Everything from local calls and text and more importantly DATA will be cheaper.

  • mskeggs on 11/06/2014 - 11:22

    SIMs are ridiculously cheap. I think it was $10 for 4Gb data and some calls. It might be possible to buy one in KL that roams to SG, but I would just buy two, one in each country when you arrive.

  • ESEMCE on 11/06/2014 - 11:27
    +1

    Use a phone box… you know like the Tardis in Dr Who or the things that Superman got changed inside of.. Inside them, are (occasionally) working landline telephones!
    But seriously, buy a SIM locally.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/06/2014 - 12:35
    +3

    Protip: Make sure your phone is NOT network locked and supports a variety of frequencies.

    • rambutann on 11/06/2014 - 13:04

      I was actually contemplating the $10 Nokia 1100 for my travels haha but i've got an iPhone 4 that I would not mind one bit if it got lost so i guess ill take that haha.
      Does anyone know if theres a network that works in both Malaysia and Singapore?

      • airzone on 11/06/2014 - 14:00
        +1

        Different countries, different networks.

  • Kjjd on 11/06/2014 - 13:26

    just one thing for you to be aware off. In Singapore, you get charged for calls received as well as made. So you might want to take that into account.

    • airzone on 11/06/2014 - 14:01

      I thought they canned that years ago - or at least everyone bar singtel. That's rough.

      • jaypehm on 11/06/2014 - 15:08

        Nope, very sure incoming calls still are charged (was on Singtel). Used up all of my prepaid credit very quickly when I got a call. Apparently there is an option to get free incoming for the day by using some of the credits which must be activated manually each day.

    • jabbairc on 12/06/2014 - 10:54

      that's right, but most people have the plans where you get tonnes of incoming call minutes so most are not bothered.

      as a traveler though you should be aware of it.

  • eutama on 11/06/2014 - 16:09

    Rambutan,

    rather than spending $10 on the nokia, check this out..
    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobilephones/international-roam…

    optus has $10 Optus Travel packs, which give you UNLIMITED (Seriously???) standard national and international calls and SMS and 50MB of data for a day in zone 1.

    I'd be happy with this..

  • slewis69au on 12/06/2014 - 10:44

    Buying a local SIM pretty much always cheaper.

    • eutama on 12/06/2014 - 17:48

      Local sim is always cheaper provided you are happily giving away your private details such as passport number, date of birth and whatever is required.. Along with possibly your credit card details to pay for the sim card.. And you wonder why your card got hacked?? No thank you!

      • retiredfeline on 12/06/2014 - 17:51

        Why would you pay with CC? Use cash!

  • eutama on 12/06/2014 - 17:55

    That was just an example

    Im not trying to be insensitive here but remember the other months there is a plan incident in malaysia and somehow the government were able to identify someone in that plane bought a sim card two days prior…

    The personal things we give away for..

    But thats just me..

    • retiredfeline on 12/06/2014 - 17:58

      Heck if they want to they can trace where you've been. After all you have to present your passport when entering. Need a tinfoil hat?

  • eutama on 12/06/2014 - 18:01

    I dont mind giving it to goverment.. Just not comfortable to giving it to anyone.. I mean.. Would you be happy sharing your passport photo page on this forum? I wouldnt

    • retiredfeline on 12/06/2014 - 18:45

      A lot of places e.g. hotels require ID and in a foreign land your passport is it.

  • eutama on 13/06/2014 - 21:09

    Or.. if you are with vodafone (i know you are not rambutan, as you said you are with LC), vodafone has red plans for $5 per day and use your existing cap.
    SWEET! - no need to buy local sim card.
    Greenpossum - Im just giving alternatives here.. time do change.. in the past, yes local sim card is always the cheapest.. but now.. not always the case… it depends on how long your trip is.. a lot of factor should be considered.
    TO buy a sim card starter pack in singapore, I believe, with starhub, minimum outlay is $18 SGD ($8 for sim card plus $10 for the calls or thereabout..)
    If you were on Vodafone, you just arrive in Singapore (or any of the 47 countries for that matter), switch on your phone as soon as you are landing, and forget about wasting time buying sim card.., make calls or data as you wish like you were in Australia.. I reckon it's pretty good deal and bargain too.
    Sure.. buy local sim if you wish.. but be mindful that there are alternatives.. and have an open mind

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