Starhub dataroam

[ermen]

Wanted to flag this here as a good alternative for a data sim. I think this could be a pretty good prepaid data sim to pick up if you happen to pass through Singapore.

I was in Singapore over the weekend and bought one. And am thinking of using this as my default regional datasim card (i.e. no need to buy sims when i go to china, japan, taiwan etc etc).

Basically you will need to buy a Starhub prepaid SIM in Singapore, and then activate roaming + buy a data plan.

Note there is a "secret" way to extend the validity of the sim using *123# (unfortunately can't do it via the app) - you can basically extend your credit for 90 days for S$1.50, instead of having to buy a topup card.

Rates are below and in my view quite reasonable (all SGD):

Would be interested to know if people thought there were cheaper alternatives...

For Short Trips	For Long Adventures
3-Day	1GB	$5	30-Day	1.2GB	$10
7-Day	1GB (Most Popular!)	$7	30-Day	2.4GB (Most Popular!)	$15
	30-Day	3.6GB	$20

Countries available:

Australia	Telstra | Vodafone
China	China Mobile
Hong Kong	Three (3)
Indonesia	XL Axiata | Three (3) | Indosat
Japan	NTT DoCoMo | KDDI
Malaysia	All operators
New Zealand	2Degrees | TNZ
Philippines	Smart
South Korea	SK Telecom | Olleh KT
Taiwan	Far EasTone (FET) | Chunghwa Telecom
Thailand	TrueMove | DTAC
United Kingdom	Three (3)
United States of America

Happy Roam Data Roaming Service | StarHub Mobile

 

[auriga]

I recently used the starhub prepaid happy roam travelling in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
Worked well, decent speeds. Definitely no complaints from me.

 

[moa999]

Are there any conditions re using it as a roaming SIM.

Eg. How easy would it be to top-up in Australia, and is it necessary to use the SIM semi regularly in Singapore

 

[ermen]

Are there any conditions re using it as a roaming SIM.

Eg. How easy would it be to top-up in Australia, and is it necessary to use the SIM semi regularly in Singapore

Topup via the starhub app.
Dont think there is a need to use it regularly in singapore.
The only issue which i can see is the expiry of the sim (180 days initially), and extending 120 to 180 days depending on topup amount.
But there is a "secret" way to extend the validity dialling *123# (can't do via app). $1.50 for 90 days. Starhub staff this function is free overseas but i havent personally tried...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Starhub was my go to SIM in SIN 5 years or so ago - China Unicom was the only SIM in China compatible with international iPhone 5 years or so ago - Indo I think I used Indosat - or was it Digi - forget now - then along came Vodafone in Oz with $5/day seamless inter roaming - never bought an inter SIM again. But as always YMMV.

 

[auriga]

Are there any conditions re using it as a roaming SIM.

Eg. How easy would it be to top-up in Australia, and is it necessary to use the SIM semi regularly in Singapore

Easy to top up in Australia, via the app, or just starhub online. One thing to be aware of is to pick the "standard" top up option, instead of the various other options, like "Happy Stars", or whatever "bonus" options. There is no requirement to use it in SG to my knowledge. I have used their USSD service as well, no dramas.

 

[theblank]

the product is called Happy Roam not dataroam
Happy Roam Data Roaming Service | StarHub Mobile

Can be purchased anywhere in Changi transit from the UOB(?) booths. The lady behind the counter did everything for me.

When I first used it i had problems with rapidaly isappearing credit, causing me all sorts of probems. This is what I learned.


1. you need to have a minimum of $?? credit in the account for you to get roaming data. Maybe $8 maybe $15 I forgot. If you fall below this balance no more roaming.
2. Tethered data is not included in your roaming package, it comes off your credit, and very bloody quickly! Then of course go to #1


The Starhub staff told me I have to watch which Telco I am roaming with, if its one of the ones not listed in the roaming agreement, then the data usage will come off the credit instead. Though I never noticed which telco i roamed with, I think they spun me a fib on that one.

 

[moa999]

Presumably you can also buy data packs for Singapore itself?

 

[ermen]

Presumably you can also buy data packs for Singapore itself?

Datapack for Singapore, and for roaming is one and the same.

I think that is where it is so advantageous - e.g last weekend i was in SIN, KUL and TPE. I bought the 1gb 3day plan and could use it in those 3 countries!
It will also be useful for Japan too... given that local data sims are quite expensive...

 

[theblank]

But there is a "secret" way to extend the validity dialling *123# (can't do via app). $1.50 for 90 days. Starhub staff this function is free overseas but i havent personally tried...

Thanks! just tried it, took a bit of navigating though
*123#
5 Value added Services
4 Main Wallet Validity Extension

30/60/90 days, 0.60/0.99/1.40 (SGD)

The days are added to the existing expiry, so you can stack them.

The alternative is to deposit $20 credit through the app and you get 6 months validity

 

[auriga]

the product is called Happy Roam not dataroam
Happy Roam Data Roaming Service | StarHub Mobile


1. you need to have a minimum of $?? credit in the account for you to get roaming data. Maybe $8 maybe $15 I forgot. If you fall below this balance no more roaming.
2. Tethered data is not included in your roaming package, it comes off your credit, and very bloody quickly! Then of course go to #1

The Starhub staff told me I have to watch which Telco I am roaming with, if its one of the ones not listed in the roaming agreement, then the data usage will come off the credit instead. Though I never noticed which telco i roamed with, I think they spun me a fib on that one.

I don't think you are quite right there.

Once you have purchased a data pack, that data can be used in Singapore and well as designated partners in other countries. It does not matter how much credit you have remaining (presumably not zero). I had less than $2 left after getting the data pack, and I could still use the data without any problems. But it is true that you will not be allowed to make any voice calls if your credit is low.

To give an example, in Australia, their partners are Telstra and Vodafone, so make sure you are connected to one of these two. A potential issue is that if you happen to be somewhere where there is Optus connection, but no vodafone or Telstra, then your connection may switch over to Optus, and you end up losing credit with any data use. I guess this is more of an issue in some countries where their partners may not have the best network coverage.

As for the tethering issue, I have no idea.

 

[theblank]

Once you have purchased a data pack, that data can be used in Singapore and well as designated partners in other countries. It does not matter how much credit you have remaining (presumably not zero).

If you click "Show Me How" in the Happy Roam app, it says you have to have minimum $8 balance. The lady who sold me the sim at the UoB counter was quite insistent about that point also. If they have changed it since, thats great!

 

[auriga]

If you click "Show Me How" in the Happy Roam app, it says you have to have minimum $8 balance. The lady who sold me the sim at the UoB counter was quite insistent about that point also. If they have changed it since, thats great!

The minimum balance requirement is for roaming voice calls. I am not sure about SMS, but definitely minimum balance is not required for roaming data usage.

 

[theblank]

The minimum balance requirement is for roaming voice calls. I am not sure about SMS, but definitely minimum balance is not required for roaming data usage.

I can only speak from experience. when the balance fell below $8 the data roaming just stopped working. There were tears when I rang starhub, all mine.
This was in July 2016

 

[auriga]

I can only speak from experience. when the balance fell below $8 the data roaming just stopped working. There were tears when I rang starhub, all mine.
This was in July 2016

Don't know what happened there.

I was in Japan and South Korea this month. My balance was under $8 beforebuying any data pack. Buying two data packs brought the balance down to less than $2. I could use the data while I was away