Hi,

I will be visiting Malaysia for about 3 weeks in September so I am looking into getting an eSIM. I am used to getting sim cards, but I realized I may be much better off to just having a working connection upon arrival, instead of having to go to a shop first like I used to.

I have been looking into the many different eSIM providers...it is not easy for me to make a decision.

I was thinking of getting a 30 day validity one. Unlimited data often means you get throttled, which I don't want. So I would need at least 15GB or more I guess. Having a proper connection in Sabah as well would be nice...but I do not expect wonders when I am visiting nature parks and such.

I will stay in Singapore as well for a few days, but besides that no need for many other countries...also no need after the 30 days.

Which eSIM would you recommend?

This post has been edited by DikkieD: Jun 17 2024, 10:37 PM

Better go for Celcom for underserved area.
The prepaid option is xpax
Just nore sure have esim
Consider Digi as your next choice

You are referring to eSIM by Malaysia local networks or those cross-border type like Airsim, Airalo etc etc?

Local networks ones that you may sign-up online before arrival are XOX and TuneTalk - both being MVNOs riding on Celcom (major enough to be reliable all over Malaysia). The other one with eSIM is Digi (now CelcomDigi) but you can only sign up on location not online.

For cross-border ones, as long as they hook you up to Maxis and Celcom/Digi should do.

Dunno if I should have a preference. I mostly visit Malaysia and only occasionally one of the neighboring countries. Perhaps I should consider a cross-border type, as I may also visit Thailand next year.

Let's say I go for a cross-border version....I see so many choices. How to make a final decision? I simply don't know where to start, accept for the fact that I don't want 'Unlimited' as that usually means being throttled all the way. Rather buy as I go as I am not backpacking through Asia, just yearly holiday trips.....within the EU I can simply use my Dutch sim card, so no need for an eSIM in that sense.

This time around I will visit Malaysia (incl. Sabah) and a few days in Singapore....next year most likely Thailand and Malaysia....

Serious question, why so much data needed while travelling?

Cross-border SIMs are almost always not competitively-priced compared to local SIMs.

In your case, Malaysia + Singapore for this trip, can get your Digi SIM on arrival and change to eSIM on the spot (if it is a Digi Store or Digi Express Store at the airport).

With Digi SIM (physical or eSIM), you can sign up many high GB packages for local Malaysia use and using the same SIM then sign up a roaming pass for Singapore use.

Information here and here.

All can be controlled within the app. And Digi so far is the only one that can use international credit cards to pay in its app.

This post has been edited by svchia78: Jun 18 2024, 12:02 AM

The above also applies to Celcom with its own similar offerings EXCEPT eSIM (reserved for postpaid) and use of international credit card for in-app payment.

This post has been edited by svchia78: Jun 18 2024, 12:13 AM

I think you should purchase separate SIM since your visit is more to Malaysia than neighbouring countries.
For Malaysia eSIM, I would suggest TuneTalk as it rides on Celcom network which will provide you decent coverage throughout Malaysia.
https://www.tunetalk.com/prepaid-purchase/s...ew_number/1610/

For neighboring countries, do check out Hello1010 https://hello1010.my/ as they have wide range of travel SIMs.

Celcom prepaid no esim yet

Have to get tunetalk

Get tunetalk. unless you got 5g phone then can consider Yes5g esim

Digi esim must be converted from physical SIM beforehand. Not available for new user initially .

Previously there is yoodo which can apply esim straight away from app. But no longer available because CD killing it

prepaid eSIM, i use OneXOX
coverage was good
here in Sabah it is quite stable, riding on celcom's infrastructure
get the welcome deals RM50 for 20Gb and 333mins of talk time

welcome to malaysia buddy!