By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
Start with a prepaid SIM from the airport or a convenience store, registered with your passport, so you have a Singapore number from your first day. Once your pass card arrives, move to a SIM-only plan with no contract, or a postpaid plan if you want a phone bundled in. SIM-only plans are usually the better value; contracts suit people who want a new handset spread over two years.
A local number matters more here than in many places, because banks and Singpass send one-time passwords by text. Get one early, and keep it: changing numbers later means updating every account that uses it.
Mobile plans: quick facts
| Day one | A prepaid SIM, registered with your passport |
| After your pass arrives | A SIM-only or postpaid plan in your name, with your FIN |
| Networks | Singtel, StarHub, M1 and SIMBA run networks; several smaller brands sell plans on them |
| eSIM | Widely offered; check your phone supports it |
| Keeping your number | You can usually move your number between providers |
| Watch for | Contract length, roaming charges and early-termination fees |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Best value | A SIM-only plan with no contract. |
| Worth it for | A postpaid contract only if you want a new phone paid monthly. |
| The trap | A two-year contract when you may leave Singapore sooner. |
| Check | Roaming, if you travel in the region often. |
| Keep | One number for banks and Singpass, and do not change it lightly. |
Your first week: prepaid
Tourist and prepaid SIMs are sold at Changi Airport and convenience stores, and must be registered with your passport. They give you a working number while you wait for your pass card. Our visitor guide to SIM cards and eSIMs covers the airport options.
Settling in: SIM-only or postpaid
Once you have your FIN, you can sign up for a plan in your own name. SIM-only plans give you data, calls and texts without a phone, usually month to month, and are often the best value. Postpaid contracts bundle a handset, spreading its cost over a longer term. If you might leave Singapore within two years, check the early-termination fee before signing.
Things to check
- Contract length and the cost of ending early.
- Data allowance and whether unused data rolls over.
- Roaming, especially if you travel to Malaysia or across the region.
- Whether you can keep your number if you switch provider.
- eSIM support for your phone.
Mobile plans: FAQ
Can I get a Singapore phone number before my pass arrives?
Yes, with a prepaid SIM registered with your passport.
Should I choose SIM-only or a contract?
SIM-only is usually better value and has no lock-in. Choose a contract only if you want a new phone paid monthly and expect to stay for the full term.
Can I keep my Singapore number if I change provider?
Usually yes; ask your new provider to move the number across.
Why does my Singapore number matter?
Banks and Singpass send one-time passwords by text, so a stable local number is part of your identity here.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. For home internet, The Big Buy covers broadband; for the order to set things up, see your first two weeks.
Sources: desk knowledge of Singapore’s mobile market, checked 29 September 2026; plans and prices change often, so compare providers’ own pages before you sign. General information; WahLiao does not rank providers. Last updated 29 September 2026.
