SingTel Ending Promotional Rate for 4G Local Excess Data Usage on 15 Sept

SingTel Ending Promotional Rate for 4G Local Excess Data Usage on 15 Sept

Thanks to a tip-off from our source, we were informed on SingTel's decision to end the promotional rates ($5.35 per GB, data cap of $94 per month) for its 4G local excess data usage on 15 September. The usual rate of $10.70 per GB and data cap of $188 per month will apply from 16 September.

This price revision will also affect SingTel's 4G mobile broadband plans for laptops and tablets. We reported in June that SingTel had plans to increase the excess data charges for its BroadBand on Mobile plans, but it turned out that incorrect information was posted on its website which led to the confusion.

We reached out to SingTel on this matter and a SingTel spokesperson responded. Here's the official statement:

SingTel - "The rate of $5.35/GB for 4G local excess data usage (data that is used beyond the monthly data bundle) was offered as a special promotion with the launch of our 4G service in June 2012. The regular rate of $10.70/GB will apply from 16 September when the promotion, which was extended by more than 9 months, comes to an end.

Today, only 10% of our mobile subscribers consume more than their monthly data bundle. We have contacted these customers to let them know that they can continue to enjoy the rate of $5.35/GB by subscribing to our DataMore value added service. As a bonus, subscription for the first 6 months is free for those who sign up before 31 October. (More details at www.singtel.com/datamore).

SingTel provides two easy and convenient ways for customers to monitor their data usage:

1. Via the MySingTel app – available free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

2. By dialling *3282 (*DATA) – they will receive an SMS reply with their current usage.

In addition, we will notify customers via SMS whenever they have used 80% and 100% of their data bundle."

SingTel is not the only telco which is ending its promotional rate for local excess data usage. StarHub's current promotional rates of $6.42 per GB and data cap of $64.20 per month for its tiered SmartSurf plans (Lite, Value, Premium and Elite) will end on 31 December 2013. The normal rate will be $8.56 per GB and a data cap of $85.60 per month. Similar to SingTel, the price revision affects its mobile broadband plans too.

At time of publication, M1 is still running its current promotions, including a waiver of the 4G VAS charge for speed boost (usual price: $10.70 per month) to encourage adoption. For now, M1 subscribers appear to be safe from any price revisions as the telco indicates that a review of excess data pricing will be done "at an appropriate time."

M1 - “Our 4G service was launched less than a year ago. We are running promotions, including a waiver of our 4G VAS charge for speed boost, to drive adoption. We will review excess data pricing at an appropriate time.”

If you are worried about exceeding your data bundle, do take a look at our recommendation of apps to monitor data usage on your mobile device.