Kindly please note that this is intended as a quick guide with the hope that it will be useful to those who requires such information. Compiling and verifying all the infos here began on 1st December 2015 and I've tried to include as many plans as I'm aware of. The quick guide is intended to-be-reviewed-periodically as required.

Let's begin ...

Not everyone lives right beside a BTS tower having terrific connection rate or amazing speed. Frugal data user usually weigh more towards good coverage, stable connectivity and value-for-money. Some users may even only have one or two viable options to choose from in their area.

To a frugal data user, a plan with long validity is usually preferred. Hence, only selected domestic data plans that fits the purpose are covered here. For a complete telephony tariffs, please refer to the respective telco's website for the latest rates.


Altel data plans (Celcom 2G/3G/4G and Altel 4G on some sites)

1. RM4 = 200MB data quota with 48 hours validity
2. RM15 = 500MB data quota with 30 days validity
3. RM25 = 1GB data quota with extended 90 days validity
4. RM42 = 2GB data quota with extended 90 days validity
5. RM58 = 3GB data quota with 30 days validity
6. RM80 = 5GB data quota with 30 days validity

- The 1GB with 90 days extended validity plan is the sweet spot
- All data plans comes with its own validity. The longest between main account validity and data validity will become the final validity.
- Data plan remains valid and accessible even with zero credit.

Possible usage scenario:

• Suitable for frugal/lite data user.
• RM25 for 1GB data quota every 90 days, 4 times a year, RM100 total cost for roughly a years usage (360 days).
• Suggested for those who has irregular weekly usage pattern where you probably use not even 50MB last week and maybe more than 100MB this week.
• Extended validity is available for RM28 to keep account active for 365 days but is not required when subscribing to 90 days data plans.

BuzzMe data plans (Umobile 3G network)

1. RM5 = 200MB data quota
2. RM25 = 1GB data quotas
3. RM60 = 3GB data quota

- BuzzMe data plans does not expire. A no time limit data quota.
- Data quota can be purchased multiple times and added to existing balance.
- Data quota balance is forfeited only upon account termination.

Possible usage scenario:

• Adhoc/lite data users within the Umobile coverage area.
• Extended validity is available for RM38 to keep account active for 365 days. Any data quota purchased will be available for the entire active duration until depleted.
• Finding the nearest dealer may become a hassle. Coverage can become an issue.

Celcom xpax data packs

1. RM5 = 50MB data quota (chat pack)
2. RM10 = 150MB data quota (social pack)

- No time limit data quota.
- Data quota can be purchased multiple times and added to existing balance.
- Data quota balance if any is forfeited only upon account termination.
- Cost per/MB is less competitive but its still is a viable option.
- Only available for older xpax/frenz prepaids prior to MagicSIM.

Possible usage scenario:

• Suitable for adhoc xpax data users.
• Also suitable as backup to main internet plans.

DiGi Idd Internet Club (IIC)
- Not officially advertised on DiGi's website at the moment. Actual IIC subscription period is not clear (probably 1 year)
- RM10 to subscribe with free monthly 1GB quota 64kbps internet. IIC is applicable to both Best prepaid and Smart prepaid
- Recommended for use on DiGi New Best v1 prepaid and coupled with SuperLongLife (365 days extended validity for RM38)

Possible usage scenario:

• Sufficient for users who intends to use whatsapp/wechat or any IMs.

Maxis hotlink tablet plan
- For pure data service only, no calls/sms/mms services.
- Starter pack costs RM30 with 1GB quota valid for 1 year
- Add-ons: RM25 = 1GB with 60 days validity, RM45 = 2GB with 1 year validity
- Good value for adhoc/lite data user within Maxis coverage area

Possible usage scenario:

• Sufficient for the adhoc data users within maxis coverage area.

Tunetalk data plans (Celcom 2G/3G/4G network)

• RM0.88 = 50MB daily
• RM3.88 = 200MB daily
• RM2 = 100MB weekly
• RM12 = 500MB weekly
• RM25 = 1GB monthly
• RM52 = 3GB monthly
• RM68 = 5GB monthly

- For lite users, the weekly RM2 with 100MB quota is the sweet spot.
- Tunetalk gives additional RM20 credit bonus for RM50++ topups which is applicable for purchasing data plan.

Possible usage scenario:

• Suitable for lite data users with less than 100MB weekly usage pattern.
• Coupled with 365 days extended validity (for RM28), the RM2 weekly plan can be a cost effective data plan for the entire year.

XOX Season Pass (Celcom 2G/3G/4G network)

• RM109.90 = 8GB Quota
• RM199.90 = 13GB Quota
• RM279.90 = 18GB Quota

- A season pass is a bulk quota purchase stored on subscriber's account
- To be used as and when required by activating against existing XOX data plans

Possible usage scenario:

• Suitable for adhoc/frugal/lite data user.
• The 8GB season pass is best value at the moment
• Suitable for medium quota users between 500MB upto 2GB per month
• XOX gives 28months validity option for new MNPs and new subscribers
• Topups adds towards to existing validity. 1 year extended validity is also available (at RM25)
• Quite high startup cost but real good value in the long run

U Mobile Power prepaid free monthly 1GB

• This is a cheap and legal method of using up-to 6GB @ RM30 monthly
• Get 6 U mobile power prepaid, make the first RM10 topup 5 days apart between each SIM.
• Every 5 days, switch SIM, reload RM5 and get 1GB free quota for the month (use-up in 5 days)
• 5 days x 6 SIMs = 30days of use @ RM30 = 6GB FREE High-Speed total quota
• A bit of hassle swapping SIMs and reloading every 5 days
• A bit high on the startup cost but 6GB @ RM30 = RM0.005/MB

Cost per Megabyte

1. Altel : 1GB @ RM25 = RM0.025/MB, 2GB @ RM42 = RM0.021/MB
2. BuzzMe : 1GB @ RM25 = RM0.025/MB, 3GB @ RM60 = RM0.020/MB
3. Celcom : 50MB @ RM5 = RM0.10/MB, 150MB @ RM10 = RM0.066/MB
4. DiGi : IIC @ RM10 (1GB x 12 months @ 64kbps) = Rm0.00083/MB
5. hotlink : tablet plan @ RM30 = RM0.030/MB, 2GB quota @ RM45 = RM0.0225/MB
6. Tunetalk : 100MB @ RM2 = RM0.020/MB
7. XOX : 8GB Season Pass @ RM109.90 = RM0.01375/MB)

Disclaimer: All the above info was verified between 1 Dec 2015 and 11 Dec 2015 from respective telco's website.

for U Mobile, you can make it more than 6gb actually, up to 12gb. But it requires careful initial planning(which cannot be done now atm).

still the same thing, get 6 sim, but perform the initial reload on these date:
3rd
8th
13th
18th
23rd
28th

so let's say for the 1st one, your validity should be from 1-5th, on the 1st and 2nd you'll use the current month's 1gb, then from 3rd onwards you'll be using the next month's 1gb. Repeat the same thing for the rest and you'll get 12gb.

Still blur, clear explanation please

Currently I'm trying to decide between BuzzMe, DiGi or Altel.
I'm unsure about this because I found this at http://www.altel.my/mobile-internet/ in the FAQ section. What do you think?


This is from DiGi's forum. About as official as I could find re the IDD Internet Club.
https://community.digi.com.my/t5/Prepaid/Di...-Club/td-p/2374


This post has been edited by soonwai: Dec 14 2015, 06:20 PM

I'll just take the 1st one as the rest are of the same concept.

On 1st of each month, you reload RM5 so your validity is until 5th of that month.

Your quota resets every month and it is based on your first RM10 reload date.

Assuming that your initial reload is on the 3rd, so if you use your data before 3rd then you are considered using your current month's data, on 3rd onwards then it will be next month's data because your quota renews every single month.

so taking that into consideration,

on the 1st-2nd day you will be using the current month's 1gb data, 3-5th = next month's 1gb data because the data renews on 3rd, so effectively you have 2gb to use over 5 days(or if you want to be more precise, 1gb for 2 days and 1gb for 3 days)

This post has been edited by wcypierre: Dec 14 2015, 05:59 PM

The data plans validity (extending the main validity when the main account validity is shorter) have been personally verified by me months ago and further explanation by flagstar at post #26 can be found here:

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3615975/all

Usage of up-to 12GB with 6 SIMs is possible on a bi-monthly basis. You skip reloading this month and reload only next month to use this month's last 3 days quota plus next month's first 2 days quota .....

Best of luck

12GB/month or even 6GB/month is not my idea of frugality. Perhaps we are drifting from the original topic somewhat.

And officially 1GB=1024MB, so some of the cost per MB upstairs need re-calculating.

Glad someone noticed that its not frugal at all ..... Purposely mentioned the 6GB as a contrast to "frugalness".

Agreed. 1GB is 1024MB. All the cost calculated above are based on 1000MB. Perhaps it'll get done on the next periodic update ..... too many on my plate right now ...

good thread.

thanks for sharing

Thanks for the compilation

Thanks already see the light
but must register before 31/12/15 to get free 1gb monthly.

I already using digi IDD (*138#) for months for FOC + with 365 days validity. Auto renew every month foc.

Bump

good work. If I am admin, I will consider to pin this post to the top.