Travelgoogoo introduces eSIM travel club

As seasoned travellers and experts in international data roaming, the team at Singapore-based Travelgoogoo is committed to redefining global travel connectivity. Incorporated in 2023, Travelgoogoo was founded by a team with expertise in telecommunications and insurance technology (insurtech) sectors, and counts individual travellers and business partners among its customers. Their Travelgoogoo365 membership programme was launched in April to bring what they say is "the simplest, most affordable eSIM experience to date".  

Said Tony Chew, Chief Partnerships and Investment Lead at Travelgoogoo: "Travelgoogoo365 embodies our vision of uniting telecommunications, travel and digital services to deliver smarter, more connected experiences. Through strategic partnerships with likeminded organisations, we are embedding seamless connectivity where it matters most — in the journeys people take, the platforms they use, and the communities they engage with. This is just the beginning of a more collaborative, borderless future for travel." 

Richard Bok, Founder and CEO at Travelgoogoo, commented: “We want to be the last eSIM travellers will ever need to install. With Travelgoogoo365, there is no need to mull over what data roaming plan to get or swap eSIMs every trip. One membership, one eSIM, 123 destinations, and a full year of messaging and data voice calls that just work. That, to us, is brilliant basics — simple, affordable, and built for what travellers truly need: reliable access. We are not just introducing a product. We are rewriting the rules of roaming."

Travelgoogoo365 is a travel club that offers members free texting, data voice calls, and photo sharing on their favourite messaging apps across 123 destinations, 365 days a year — without the need to purchase a data plan. Powered by a lifetime global eSIM, Travelgoogoo365 removes the hassle of installing a new eSIM for every trip. Members also enjoy member-exclusive rates on additional data roaming purchases.

Travelgoogoo365 membership, priced at US$14 per year, offers basic data roaming* across 123 destinations for 365 days. As part of an introductory offer, members receive a free 3 GB high-speed data starter pack, usable in any one of the 123 destinations. After the initial data roaming pack is used up, members continue to enjoy unlimited basic connectivity - ideal for staying in touch via messaging apps - on all future trips within the year.

Members can unlock full-speed data for other apps through on-demand top-ups. Data plans include a 10 GB pack to popular destinations, including Thailand, Japan, China, the US, and the UK, priced from US$13–US$16.50. According to Bok, members can enjoy rates as low as under US$2 per GB.

Key features for the programme include:

- Ease of use: A single global eSIM model eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple SIM cards or dealing with complex setup processes.

- Unlimited messaging: Stay connected with WhatsApp, LINE, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, Zalo, and other popular messaging apps through unlimited texts, data voice calls and photo sharing.

- Flexible data roaming: Members purchase full-speed travel data only when they need it.

Travelgoogoo365 also includes 24x7 chat support for members who encounter connectivity issues when they are travelling.

Travelgoogoo CFO Julian Wong emphasised: "At Travelgoogoo, we are revolutionising connectivity with a frictionless eSIM solution designed for both our B2B2C partners and D2C users. Our focus on conversational commerce allows us to engage customers on their preferred messaging channels, starting with key platforms and expanding over time to ensure a seamless experience. Whether embedding connectivity into partner ecosystems or providing a direct, hassle-free journey, we are redefining how people stay connected, no matter where their journeys take them."

Travelgoogoo partners with established telecommunication service providers that offer robust infrastructure and high-performance network coverage. This allows the company to secure reliable, high-speed connectivity with multiple local carriers in key travel destinations at competitive rates. The strategic approach also enhances network redundancy, optimises performance and eliminates roaming hassles, delivering a seamless mobile experience without the need for physical SIM cards.

Bok shared that Travelgoogoo is working to expand into more countries, guided by customer demand and local regulatory requirements. The company is working to include Singapore in the coming months.

*By definition, residents of a country are not roaming and would not be able to make use of the data pack for domestic consumption.

StarHub introduces travel insurance, double the roaming data

StarHub has launched TravelProtection, and doubled roaming data on DataTravel to deliver the best holiday experiences for StarHub customers going on a trip. TravelProtection starts from S$3.80 per day, and covers medical expenses including COVID-19 treatment as well as other benefits.

Source: StarHub. StarHub offers travel peace of mind to customers.

TravelProtection can be obtained with a tap on the My StarHub app. Customers can select the dates they would like to be protected, and on these dates, they will be covered for medical expenses of up to S$200,000, including COVID-19 treatment, or costs incurred for medical evaluation and repatriation. TravelProtection also covers loss of or damage to baggage, travel delay, trip cancellation, and more. StarHub customers can extend this protection to their travel companions, by selecting the duo option at S$7.40 daily or a family option at S$10.50 daily. For convenience, fees will be merged with their monthly bill.

As added benefits, StarHub Mobile customers also enjoy exclusive coverage for phone and SIM card replacement arising out of burglary, theft, or robbery during the trip, as well as the option to receive refunds for unused DataTravel plans due to trip cancellation or postponement.

For a limited time, StarHub Mobile customers taking up DataTravel will receive twice the amount of roaming data at no extra cost. Starting at S$5, the simplest plan now offers 2 GB (usually 1 GB) of roaming data, which is valid for three days in Asia Pacific destinations. Customers planning to spend more time abroad can select the S$20 plan for 6 GB (usually 3 GB) of roaming data, valid for 30 days across multiple trips and destinations.

TravelProtection is a group policy undertaken by StarHub as the policyholder and underwritten by Chubb Insurance Singapore.

Singtel users have the best experience roaming in Malaysia

Source: Opensignal. 4G download speed experience in Mbps for Singapore roamers in Malaysia compared to the experience for Malaysian mobile users.

In an analysis of roaming experiences for Singapore 4G mobile users in Malaysia in 2019, Opensignal has found that Singtel users enjoyed the best download speed experience, upload speed experience and latency experience.

M1 and StarHub users had a similar download and upload speed experience when in Malaysia, but StarHub users moved ahead of M1 in their roaming latency experience. While the average latency experience seen by both StarHub and M1 users was considerably slower than those seen by domestic Malaysian users — indicating a worse experience — Singtel users only fared 2.6 ms worse when compared to domestic Maxis users - Singtel users typically roam on Maxis.

Sam Fenwick, Insights Analyst, Opensignal, said that there is some correlation between the download speed experience observed by a roaming user and that observed by domestic Malaysian users on the same host network.

"This is most pronounced when comparing the download speed experience observed by Singtel roamers and domestic Maxis users, and less so when comparing M1 roamers against domestic Celcom users. With the latter, there’s a speed reduction of roughly 3.4 Mbps in favor of Malaysian Celcom users.

"This difference could be caused by a number of factors, such as the international connectivity between the two networks, the terms of the roaming agreement, another kind of bottleneck or even some form of throttling on roaming users that is affecting M1 users’ download speed experience when roaming on Celcom’s network," he said.

Latency experience is a measure of network responsiveness and would likely be adversely affected by international roaming given the extra steps that it entails, Fenwick said. Steps could include the need to reach the home operator’s core network, he explained.

In contrast, both StarHub and M1 users had a worse experience compared to domestic Malaysian users. The latency (responsiveness) experience seen by M1 users was nearly double that seen by Celcom’s domestic users (74.5 ms versus 39.4 ms, a difference of 35.1 ms), while the average latency experience seen by StarHub users (55.1 ms) was greater than that seen by Celcom, DiGi and Maxis users by 15.7, 12.8 and 17.2 ms, respectively.


"Operators typically have roaming agreements with one or more host networks, allowing their customers to roam on them while abroad. We detected that when in Malaysia, Singtel users typically roam on Maxis, M1 users most often roam on Celcom and StarHub users normally roam on Celcom, DiGi and Maxis," Fenwick added.
Fenwick also explained that differences in the average mobile experience observed between roamers and domestic users can arise due to differences in the mix of mobile devices they’re using and the locations where they spend most of their time. The mobile experience is typically superior in urban areas, for example.

"There’s also the potential impact from the additional latency and potential bottlenecks created by having to relay the information between host and home core networks and between the home core and the content delivery networks," he said.

StarHub makes it easier for mobile customers to surf and travel

StarHub Mobile postpaid customers can now take advantage of a Mobile DataTravel plan with a flat fee of S$15 that gives them 2GB of data for 30 days of use within a single country or across multiple destinations.

DataTravel does not require users to manually search for or lock their phones to a specific preferred mobile network as is normally required for roaming plans. StarHub says it is the only Singapore telco to offer this advantage, and that more destinations will be supported in the coming months.

Customers will also receive SMS notifications before their DataTravel plan expires or depletes. They can also activate an additional 2GB or 3GB DataTravel plan. With each additional activation, any unused data will be carried forward for another 30 days of use. If the data has been fully utilised, excess data usage will be charged based on prevailing DataTravel Unlimited or RoamEasy Plans which the customer has subscribed to.

“Our DataTravel customers will be able to enjoy doing what they have come to love on their phones simply and affordably, with a data plan that can be brought across multiple borders and mobile networks. With DataTravel, we are happy to free our customers from the common constraints of overseas data usage, that are cost and accessibility," said Wang Li-Na, Head of Product & Marketing, StarHub.

Interested?

StarHub Mobile postpaid customers can SMS DT2 or DT3 to 6818 to instantly add a 2GB or 3GB DataTravel plan, even while they are overseas. They can also buy DataTravel by dialling the toll-free number *100# at any time. There are no additional monthly subscriptions or activation fees - DataTravel plans are only billed upon purchase.

Supported destinations include Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines. The 3GB DataTravel plan is available for S$5 more.

Singtel adds more destinations to ReadyRoam data roaming service

Singtel has launched an enhanced version of ReadyRoam 1GB for 30 days, the first service of its kind to offer seamless multi-destination data roaming coverage across Asia, Europe, the US and Canada. ReadyRoam 1GB for 30 days is now available for 26 countries at S$35 and 11 countries at S$20.

Diana Chen, VP, of Mobile Marketing, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “It’s the holiday season and many of our customers and their families will be travelling. Our enhanced ReadyRoam 1GB for 30 days will allow them the convenience of remaining contactable via their Singtel SIM card number while roaming seamlessly across multiple destinations.”

For S$20, the following 11 countries are covered under ReadyRoam 1GB for 30 days:

• Mainland China
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Macau
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand

For S$35, the above 11 countries are covered in addition to destinations in North America and Europe.

Interested?

Singtel postpaid customers can subscribe to ReadyRoam 1GB for 30 days up to seven days in advance through the My Singtel app. Data roaming rates are S$0.019 for each additional MB or S$0.034 per additional MB depending on their plan.

Watch the video Singtel ReadyRoam – The Journey on Singtel’s Youtube channel

Singapore's Mandarin Orchard and Marina Mandarin now offer complimentary local smartphone services

The Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Marina Mandarin Singapore have equipped all guestrooms with handy, a smartphone solution that provides registered hotel guests complimentary access to unlimited 4G data, local and international calls, online city guides and ticket bookings to Singapore’s places of interest. Both hotels are managed by Meritus Hotels & Resorts.

With all of Mandarin Orchard Singapore’s 1,077 rooms and Marina Mandarin Singapore’s 575 rooms now equipped with handy, guests can take their personalised smartphone out of the hotel and stay connected as they travel around and explore Singapore. They are also able to dial directly to hotels’ contact lists including guestrooms, concierge, and the restaurants.

The free high-speed data connectivity and unlimited local and international phone calls cover 15 countries and territories - Australia, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, the UK, the US and Vietnam.

Guests can also look forward to useful information on the latest promotional offerings in and around the city through dining and shopping guides preloaded onto the smartphones. In addition, they can navigate around Singapore with ease through built-in travel apps that include mass rapid transit (subway) maps and a digital location-based city guide.

To protect guests’ privacy, each device will be restored to its factory settings upon checkout to completely clear all personal data and browsing history that may have been stored during their stay.

StarHub to charge travellers to Malaysia Singapore prices for prepaid data

Source: StarHub website. The S$18
StarHub prepaid topup card is
bundled with 30MB of local data.

StarHub is the first telco in Singapore to eliminate data roaming charges for travel in Malaysia. When crossing into Malaysia, StarHub Happy Prepaid customers can seamlessly use their existing prepaid data bundle, at Singapore data prices, with no additional fee for activation or subscription.

As a feature unique to StarHub, these customers can data roam on any mobile network in Malaysia without the hassle of manually selecting a partner network.

“We are excited to launch our new cross border service, offering our prepaid customers unparallelled convenience and complete peace-of-mind while data roaming in Malaysia,” said Tian Ung Ping, Assistant Vice President of Mobile Prepaid Business, StarHub. “More and more of our prepaid customers are relying on their smartphones primarily for getting online, and we believe our innovative data roaming offering is relevant for the tens of thousands who travel between Singapore and Malaysia daily.”

Source: StarHub website. The
S$25 Happy stars prepaid topup
card is bundled with 400MB of
local data.

Activating the service is easy and free of charge. Existing StarHub Happy Prepaid customers just simply dial *123*5*2# on their phone to enable data roaming. This opens their existing prepaid data bundle for overseas use.

Customers can thereafter top up their data bundle and track usage as they normally would, by dialing *123# or using the StarHub Happy Prepaid Android or iOS app wherever they are. Data bundle top-ups, for use in both Singapore and Malaysia, range from as low as S$1 for 10MB for 7 days to S$20 for 1.2GB for 30 days.

The StarHub Happy Prepaid SIM is available at all StarHub Shops and selected authorised dealers, including 7-Eleven, Cheers, SingPost post offices and at slimduet.

Editor's note: While this is very convenient for StarHub customers, particularly if they only visit Malaysia occasionally, anyone who travels often to Malaysia should check if the Malaysian telcos have introduced mobile data plans which are more competitive.  

Roaming made easy for Singapore with slimduet and StarHub

Having joined the slimduet alliance, a group of companies which support the soft SIM over-the-air download platform initiated by Taisys Technologies Company, Singapore's second-largest info-communications company StarHub will start offering its mobile pre-paid services via slimduet to Singapore visitors from 15 June 2015.

Singapore joins slimduet after Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the UK, US, Taiwan and Thailand and could benefit as many as 1.2 million visitors a month. 

StarHub's Assistant Vice President of Mobile Pre-paid Business, Tian Ung Ping said, "Wherever they are in the world, slimduet users can pre-order a virtual StarHub prepaid package on their phone and easily activate the service upon arrival to get connected on StarHub's advanced nationwide mobile network. This new, unmatched convenience will enhance the overall visitor experience for travellers, who in this digital age require connectivity on their phones for both work and play."

Taisys' Chairman Jason Ho says, "Our partnership with StarHub in Singapore is another significant milestone for soft SIM service deployment in the mobile society. The distribution of slimduet soft SIM strictly complies with government regulations applicable where we provide service. We welcome operators from all regions to join slimduet to offer telecommunications service without boundaries!"

To get started, users have to buy a slimduet SIM sticker at www.slimduet.net/en/#shop, attach the sticker to an existing SIM and purchase prepaid packages offered by the mobile operators through the slimduet app. The slimduet SIM can be reused for future travel in countries with slimduet coverage.

For Singapore, the US$14 prepaid package powered by StarHub will come with S$18 credit for local talktime, SMS and data, free 100GB local data for five days and free IDD018 calls to 19 destinations. Activating the service can be done at StarHub authorised dealers in Changi Airport. Users can dial *123# thereafter to manage their prepaid account and buy additional voice and data plans.

Singtel introduces affordable roaming for Australia

Source: Singtel.

Singtel is launching a second Roam Like Home DataRoam Saver plan, this time for Australia. The DataRoam Saver Australia (Monthly) 1 GB plan currently has a promotional price of S$10 for the first 1 GB of bundled data, with subsequent usage at S$0.10 per MB.

According to Singtel, the DataRoam Saver Australia (Monthly) 1 GB plan is the most affordable plan of its kind. It follows from the successful DataRoam Saver Malaysia (Monthly) 1 GB plan, launched last October. The new plan offers network coverage in Australia through wholly owned subsidiary Optus. Singtel customers roaming on Optus’ network will be connected to its 4G Plus mobile network and enjoy faster uploads and downloads for a better data experience while on the go.

“Australia is a popular travel destination among Singaporeans and with our new plan, Singtel customers will be served by a high quality network and enjoy seamless connectivity. They will not have to rely on Wi-Fi hotspots or go through the hassle of registering for a local SIM to be connected again,” said Johan Buse, Singtel’s VP for Consumer Marketing. “Business travellers can also stay in touch with the office and clients while on the move.”

The DataRoam Saver Australia (Monthly) 1 GB plan also features Network Lock* and data roaming usage alerts - complementary services that give customers useful information about their data usage, and prevent data roaming bill shock.

Customers can subscribe to Singtel’s Roam Like Home DataRoam Saver Australia (Monthly) 1 GB and DataRoam Saver Malaysia (Monthly) 1 GB plans via the My Singtel App or by dialling *100# while in Australia or Malaysia**.

*Network Lock protects DataRoam Saver plan subscribers from unintended pay-per-use data charges on non-preferred networks
**Customers can subscribe to the plan via the following channels:
My Singtel app
Dialling *100# in Australia or Malaysia
Dialling *7626 in Singapore or SMS *7626 to 3333 while overseas. Roaming SMS charges will apply.
Singtel retail shops or Singtel exclusive retailers 

Singtel’s 1688 hotline (An activation fee of S$10 applies)

Online at www.singtel.com/myaccount

HP announces free roaming Wi-Fi offer for selected notebooks and tablets

HP and iPass, the world's largest Wi-Fi network, announced last week that selected* HP notebook and tablet PCs will include the option to access the iPass global Wi-Fi network.

Source: HP website.

Through this agreement, iPass and HP make it simpler and more affordable for users in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) to connect to the Internet locally, and stay connected when they travel. Customers who purchase new HP notebook and tablet PCs with this option will be able to register and automatically get access to millions of hotspots on the iPass global Wi-Fi network** for one year at no additional cost. The first of HP’s products with this option should be available from October 2014***.

“As an ‘always on’ world continues to drive user expectations for affordable, seamless connectivity, HP continues to champion new mobile solutions for our customers,” said Roland Ng, VP, Mobile Connectivity, HP Asia Pacific and Japan. “We’re simplifying the process of connecting to the Internet locally, and while traveling, to ensure consumers and business get the most from their notebook and tablet devices.”

“People want easy access to stay connected to what matters to them most,” said Evan Kaplan, President and CEO, iPass. “We believe HP’s strength in the notebook and tablet business combined with the iPass global Wi-Fi network and easy to use apps will provide a powerful experience for consumers to connect to Wi-Fi while traveling. We are excited about this acceleration of making iPass available to the APJ market.”

To view a hotspot location map and to learn more about how to connect to iPass on an HP notebook or tablet PC visit www.ipass.com/hpoffer.

*HP commercial and consumer notebook and tablet PCs with operating systems such as Windows 8.1, Android 4.2.2 and above. Devices with Windows 7 and Chrome OS may be added in subsequent months. Devices with FreeDos and Ubuntu OS are not included. For more information, visit www.hp.com/go/stayconnected.

**Connectivity is not available everywhere. The offer excludes premium iPass inflight access on planes. Subscription renewal and purchase of the iPass service is required after the one year trial period. To view a hotspot location map and to learn more about the service visit www.ipass.com/hpoffer.

***Timing will vary by product and country. For more information, visit www.hp.com/go/stayconnected.