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FS_FRA Oct 25, 2023 9:41 am


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 35686439)
This is sort of what I ended up doing - except I went for a physical SIM rather than an eSIM. "Reserved" it from LG U+ in advance which gives 10% off, and it cost ~US$26 for 10 days which isn't what I'd really call cheap, but it is "unlimited" data (3GB/day at LTE speeds).

I went for the physical SIM over an eSIM for 2 reasons - one was because the eSIMs are data only where the pSIMs can also receive calls. The second is because with a pSIM the card that the SIM come in doubles as a TMoney card to use on the subway, saving a few thousand won over buying one separately. Unfortunately the voice option didn't work out, as apparently their voice SIMs don't work on Google Pixel phones, only Apple/Samsung., so I ended up with a data-only one anyway, but otherwise it worked fine.

Good that it more or less worked out for you.

$2.6 / day for 3GB per day is not cheap? T-Mobile Germany would have charged me $50 for 3GB....(not per day!) I guess all things being relative it's a case of personal perception.

crackjack Oct 25, 2023 12:15 pm


Originally Posted by ESpen36 (Post 35685868)
If you are going to Singapore, Singtel (the biggest national mobile provider) now offers eSIMs for tourists. You can buy online and complete the identity verification on your device, without needing to bring your passport to a physical location. Nice improvement!

https://www.singtel.com/personal/pro...ans/hi-tourist

Their competitor M1 has been doing this for a while for one of their plans, apparently; can’t buy online and not as good coverage, but still usually good enough and much cheaper especially if you only need half of Singtel’s 4 weeks:
https://www.m1.com.sg/mobile/prepaid-plans/tourist-sim
$12 for 15d/100GB/300mins/100msgs+extra. Buy at the airport and do KYC on your device.

[EDIT]Actually, I see Singtel is offering a $12 plan with 14d/100GB/500min+extras too, so basically on par. The roaming data options available if any do differ between Singtel & M1.

Having said that… M1’s $14 physical SIM is the best ‘tourist’ deal if your phone has a SIM tray: 30d/100GB/1000min/500msgs+extras (plus an extra 90d of SIM validity after that).

crackjack Oct 28, 2023 9:22 am


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 35653850)
Several good options have already been mentioned, but I'd also suggest looking at US Mobile. $12.50 for their "Unlimited Starter" for the first month on an eSIM and you're set. It's prepaid, so just cancel the auto-pay and/or delete your credit card using either their app or their website and you won't pay more than that.

Does this option work well? I’m going to be in the States in Nov, had been looking at Mint’s 3mth ‘unlimited’ data (40GB at 5g) plan for $15/mth, so $45 total plus taxes.

The $12.50 pricing with no lock-in is quite surprising given how it so severely undercuts other telcos, but I am not complaining…

Majuki Oct 28, 2023 11:51 am


Originally Posted by crackjack (Post 35700817)
Mint’s 3mth ‘unlimited’ data (40GB at 5g) plan for $15/mth, so $45 total plus taxes.

I don't have direct experience, but someone I know tested Mint due to the pricing, and the deprioritization of data can make the service barely usable at times in crowded places.

docbert Oct 29, 2023 2:01 pm


Originally Posted by crackjack (Post 35700817)
Does this option (US Mobile) work well?

Actually, perhaps not... I've had a few people in Australia that tried to sign up tell me that they were unable to do so using a foreign credit card, so it may not be an option. Worth trying, but be sure to have a backup plan...
​​​​​

Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 35701144)
I don't have direct experience, but someone I know tested Mint due to the pricing, and the deprioritization of data can make the service barely usable at times in crowded places.

I've used Mint on-and-off for years (the only way to get their good pricing without a 12-month commit to to flip between them and others) and also Boost Mobile who I think have the same prioritization level on the T-Mobile network. You are correct in that in some situations the (data) performance takes a dive. In my experience it's fairly rare, but it likely depends a lot on the areas that you're in. For low-bandwidth stuff I've never had a problem with it, but if you're looking to do higher-bandwidth streaming it might be more of an issue.

docbert Oct 29, 2023 2:06 pm


Originally Posted by FS_FRA (Post 35692961)
$2.6 / day for 3GB per day is not cheap? T-Mobile Germany would have charged me $50 for 3GB....(not per day!) I guess all things being relative it's a case of personal perception.

All depends on what you're after, doesn't it! I may have had "Unlimited" (and 3GB highspeed/day), but I only used just under 3GB total in the 8 days I was there. If I'd instead gone with Mogo eSIM, that same 3GB would have cost me US$6 rather than the $25 I paid (more likely I would have picked their 5GB for $10 option, but even so).

TGarza Oct 29, 2023 3:46 pm


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 35703406)
I've used Mint on-and-off for years (the only way to get their good pricing without a 12-month commit to to flip between them and others) and also Boost Mobile who I think have the same prioritization level on the T-Mobile network. You are correct in that in some situations the (data) performance takes a dive. In my experience it's fairly rare, but it likely depends a lot on the areas that you're in. For low-bandwidth stuff I've never had a problem with it, but if you're looking to do higher-bandwidth streaming it might be more of an issue.

Boost has been using AT&T since 2021 in addition to T Mobile.

docbert Oct 29, 2023 5:03 pm


Originally Posted by TGarza (Post 35703621)
Boost has been using AT&T since 2021 in addition to T Mobile.

Yes and no. Boost Mobile use both, but any individual SIM uses only one network.. The SIM's I was referring to above were T-Mobile-based SIMs and have no access to the AT&T network.

(Boost Infinite is different, and does allow cross-network access)

TGarza Oct 30, 2023 12:38 pm


Originally Posted by docbert (Post 35703773)
Yes and no. Boost Mobile use both, but any individual SIM uses only one network.. The SIM's I was referring to above were T-Mobile-based SIMs and have no access to the AT&T network.

(Boost Infinite is different, and does allow cross-network access)

I was pointing out Boost has sims for multiple networks which is confusing because there doesn’t appear to be an option on the Boost website to specify the preferred carrier network with the plan. Red Pocket lists the network with the sim which does matter regionally.

BigFlyer Oct 30, 2023 1:05 pm


Originally Posted by crackjack (Post 35700817)
Does this option work well? I’m going to be in the States in Nov, had been looking at Mint’s 3mth ‘unlimited’ data (40GB at 5g) plan for $15/mth, so $45 total plus taxes.

The $12.50 pricing with no lock-in is quite surprising given how it so severely undercuts other telcos, but I am not complaining…

There is $10 cashback for Mint Mobile at topcashback.com.

frappant Oct 31, 2023 6:09 pm

Is anyone familiar with this one?

https://esim2fly.com/buy/checkouts/?...978&aero-qty=1

Both the vendor eSIM2Fly or the carrier DTAC?

Do these eSIMs include tethering?

Also, I notice that the Thailand prepaid market includes a lot of low-speed (under 10Mbps) products.

So are there eSIMs which include Thailand with tethering included and at least the capability to provide over 20 Mbps?

crackjack Oct 31, 2023 10:44 pm


Originally Posted by frappant (Post 35709510)
Is anyone familiar with this one?

https://esim2fly.com/buy/checkouts/?...978&aero-qty=1

Both the vendor eSIM2Fly or the carrier DTAC

You mean AIS for their Sim2Fly product, not DTAC? I’ve used them before locally in TH, no issues at all; they’re the largest telco in TH.

(DTAC was part of the Telenor group, same as Digi in Malaysia. DTAC recently merged with True, TH’s 2nd largest telco, combined company now 30% Telenor owned.

I used them before in TH too, they were perfectly fine. The merger shouldn’t affect that in the short term at least.)

No idea on the SIM2Fly plan, but others have discussed it before in this thread - use the search thread function found at the top of the page - and the wiki also mentions it. It should be fine too.

[EDIT] Huh, I just saw the Wiki has been edited to remove the list with more details for some of the better-known international eSIM providers…. this is what it said there before:

  1. AIS eSIM2Fly
    1. Proxy/Exit IP: Thailand
    2. Pro:
      1. they're an actual network provider in Thailand, you're routing back to their network. +66 thai number for (payg) calls/texts
    3. Con:
      1. Refilling data can be painful via 3rd party sites, may require Visa VFV or Mastercard SecureCode, which may not be supported on your credit card
      2. 365day plan cannot be purchased outright, only as topup
    4. Other:
      1. Balance expires after 1 year but can be extended after topup
      2. Cheap for regional asia ($10 for 4GB/8days or $2.5/GB)
      3. Global $75 for 15GB/365 day


frappant Oct 31, 2023 11:30 pm

Looks like better value if you order Thai eSIM directly from carriers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ThailandTou..._physical_sim/

However, there is a question as to whether you can pay via US credit card.

crackjack Nov 1, 2023 2:41 am

eSIM2Fly is likely not an ‘authorised’ reseller for AIS (same with thaiprepaidcard), so adding their markup over what they are likely paying themselves. Also, they could be pre-registering the cards?

AIS’s target audience is those in Thailand planning on travelling out from there; that S2F works for others is a happy benefit they probably don’t really care about, and may even shut down as KYC becomes more cumbersome (or is being sidestepped altogether).

tai4de2 Nov 1, 2023 8:58 am


Originally Posted by frappant (Post 35709956)
Looks like better value if you order Thai eSIM directly from carriers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ThailandTou..._physical_sim/

However, there is a question as to whether you can pay via US credit card.

As an only possibly relevant data point, I regularly refill a DTAC account in their app with a US credit card.


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