Which Postpaid Call Plan (With Data) By Major Telcos In Malaysia Is Best For You?

Friday 22 August 2014 @ 5:15 am

Sometimes we face a dilemma in deciding which call plan to subscribe when we are changing our mobile phone plan or switching between mobile network providers (a.k.a. telcos). There are so many different packages and bundles available from each telco and it’s really hard to tell which is better. Therefore, here I’m putting all the figures into an organized table for side-by-side comparison and sharing my views on all postpaid call plans (with/without data) from 4 major telcos in Malaysia, namely Maxis, Celcom, DiGi & U Mobile.

Malaysia Telco Call Plans Comparison

I leave Yes 4G out of the comparison even though their user base has been expanding since the launch in 2010 because their WiMax network is not compatible with GSM phones that most of us are using. Besides, I only select call plans without phone bundle in order to keep the comparison simple and straightforward. Please note that only 2 call plans in my comparison are contract based, which are Ultimate Device Plans (24-month) and U Platinum (36-month) by U Mobile. Otherwise, we are free to switch plans at anytime.


Malaysia Telco Call Plans Comparison
Malaysia Telco Call Plans Comparison Full Table – Updated 22/8/14 (Click to enlarge)

Maxis Call Plans

Celcom Call Plans

DiGi Call Plans

U Mobile Call Plans

 

Main factors influencing your decision

As we can see from the full table above, call plans from all telcos have limited data quotas which make filtering through these call plans a lot easier. Furthermore, we don’t make calls or send SMS as many as we used to, all thanks to the new generation messaging and VoIP (Voice over IP) apps, such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Google Hangout, Facebook Messenger and Skype.

Now we just need to know roughly how much data we need per month or by asking ourselves a few questions as listed below:

1. Don’t need data? (Budget RM28 – RM50)

Well, the decision is easy. Maxis TalkMore 28, TalkMore 48, Celcom First Prime, DiGi Simple Plan, U Mobile U28 and Unlimited 50 are among the cheapest options available.

2. Need data but occasionally will make calls and send SMS?

In this case you’ll have to decide on how much data per month is enough for you. Basically, all call plans with data are suitable for you, depending on your monthly data usage.

2a. Need less than 2GB data per month? (Budget RM28 – RM68)

U Mobile U28 will be the cheapest plan if you only need to make minimal calls and SMS, while Celcom First One 3GB will give you a peace of mind with 3GB data and free 60 minutes call and 60 SMS.

  • Maxis SurfMore 50 (1GB): RM50 + additional costs for any calls & SMS
  • Celcom First One 3GB (3GB): RM68 (come with 60 min calls & 60 SMS)
  • DiGi SmartPlan 50 (2GB): RM50 + additional costs for any calls & SMS to other networks
  • U Mobile U28 (1GB): RM28 + additional costs for any calls
  • U Mobile Unlimited 50 (2GB): RM50 + additional costs for calls to other network & any SMS

2b. Need more than 2GB data per month? (Budget RM68 onward)

Celcom First One 3GB (RM68) will be the best plan with 3GB data and free 60 minutes call and 60 SMS. Besides, it has reasonable data add-on from as low as RM3 only. In case if you need more calls & SMS, DiGi SmartPlan 78 (3GB data) or U Mobile Unlimited 80 (3GB data) can be considered too.

 

For monthly data usage more than 3GB, Maxis SurfMore 75 (RM75) is the cheapest options but without free calls or SMS. Celcom First One 5GB (RM88) is the next option with free 60 min calls and 60 SMS.

3. Prefer unlimited talk time and SMS? (Budget RM50 – RM158)

Currently, only Maxis is having plans with unlimited call and SMS to all networks, which are MaxisONE Plan 2GB (RM128) and MaxisONE Plan 3GB (RM158). If you only need unlimited call/SMS to the same network, then MaxisONE Plan Lite 1GB (RM78) would be a cheaper option. Besides, U Mobile Unlimited 50 (RM50) and Unlimited 80 (RM80) offer unlimited call on the same network too.

4. Need huge data plan? (Budget RM90 onward)

Any monthly data usage more than 5GB, you’ll either need to subscribe to the call plan with highest data quota or purchase extra data add-on. The cheapest combinations are:

  • Maxis SurfMore 75 5GB (RM75) + 1GB (RM15) = Total 6GB (RM90)
  • Celcom First One 5GB (RM88) + 1GB (RM15) = Total 6GB (RM103) with free 60 min calls and 60 SMS

5. Prefer to purchase extra data add-on after allocated free data is exceeded?

This option is always not cost effective because data add-ons are generally expensive among all telcos. Therefore, purchasing data add-on should not be a monthly practice and it should only be taken as a short term solution when you reach your data limit.

 

However, Maxis SurfMore 50 (no free call & SMS) and Celcom First One 3GB (free 60 min calls & 60 SMS) both offer reasonable data add-on in case if you really need to go for this option.

 

Other important factors

1. Many friends and family members on the same network?

If many of your friends and family members are on Maxis network, selecting MaxisONE Plan Lite is a no-brainer because if offers both unlimited calls and SMS on the same network.

 

Both Celcom First One plans seems to give user a peace of mind with its generous data quota and free 60 minutes talk time & 60 SMS, making the plans very attractive if you need a lot of data but don’t make too many calls or SMS. It’s less likely to burn your pocket as their data add-on are very reasonably priced too, from as low as RM3 you can get 0.1GB of extra data.

 

DiGi have the best call rate (15sen/min) for calls to different network, while Maxis TalkMore 48 is the cheapest call plan with lowest call rate for calls in the same network.

 

As for U Mobile, Unlimited 50 and Unlimited 80 are good because you can enjoy unlimited calls to your friends and family members. If you don’t mind long contract for your call plan, Ultimate Device Plans (24-month) and U Platinum (36-month) can be considered as they have generous data quota.

2. Network Coverage

Network coverage of a mobile network provider is an important factor we need to consider too, especially if you are using a 4G LTE phone. Maxis and Celcom are having the best 4G LTE coverage so far.

3. Extra cost or reduced data speed after exceeding quota?

Some call plans charge per additional data usage after exceeding the allocated data quota and this might give you a shock if you are unaware of it. On the other hand, some call plans will only throttle the data speed and no extra cost will incur.

 

Which call plan would I personally choose?

My current data usage is less than 2GB per month and I have Yes 4G as back up so I would either choose Maxis SurfMore 50, Celcom First One 3GB or DiGi SmartPlan 50. I would probably prefer to use Maxis or Celcom as I have more confidence on their network than DiGi’s. Moreover, Maxis SurfMore 50 and Celcom First One 3GB offer cheapest data add-on among all telcos and it doesn’t have validity period like UMobile’s (3 days).

If I have a chance to design my own custom plan, ideally I would prefer to have a call plan that has at least 3GB of free data, 100 minutes of free call and 100 free SMS to all networks. Besides, data speed should only be reduced after exceeding the quota and reasonable data add-ons should be available too. Celcom First One 3GB comes very close to this ideal call plan and the price is only RM68/month.

Anyway, I hope the above tables and my analysis is useful for selecting a call plan that is best for you.


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29 Responses to 'Which Postpaid Call Plan (With Data) By Major Telcos In Malaysia Is Best For You?'

  1. stary - August 22nd, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    ehh @@ why there no notice celcom 1 plan gt add on data… i gt using nw le i rmb can add rm15 to add every 1gb…

  2. SapiensBryan - August 22nd, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Hi, thanks for pointing it out! I’ve updated the table to include the data add-on for both Celcom First One plans. :)
    They are very reasonably priced so I’m sure First One plan users will definitely love the flexibility to add more data at an affordable price!

  3. sapiensbryan - August 22nd, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    Hi, thanks for pointing it out! I’ve updated the table to include the data add-on for both Celcom First One plans. :)

    They are very reasonably priced so I’m sure First One plan users will definitely love the flexibility to add more data at an affordable price!

  4. Mat Ismail - August 24th, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    hi just want to knw..now user prefer more calls/SMS or data?

  5. stary - August 25th, 2014 at 11:50 am

    wc~~ i m interested in ur analysis :)
    any suggestion to choose maxis/celcom for heavy data user?? ady 3 gb also nt enuf for me *sigh*..

  6. victoria - August 26th, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    @Mat Ismail now ppl call and sms bcum lesser and lesser ady, exp Y generation.. with data ady can use lots of apps to chat online…

  7. sapiensbryan - August 26th, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    I think older generations still prefer call/SMS, but some are picking up new technology quite quickly like my mum who learned how to chat in WhatsApp in just a few days after I passed her a smartphone.

    I would say anyone who is using a smartphone cannot live without data and at least we need to have 1GB quota, otherwise we’ll have to always rely on WiFi at work/home.

  8. sapiensbryan - August 26th, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Agreed! Younger generation would prefer to chat online. It saves a lot of money as compared to chatting via SMS too. :)

  9. sapiensbryan - August 26th, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    Both Maxis SurfMore 75 (RM75) and Celcom First One 5GB (RM88) give you 5GB data. Both are also offering the same price for data add-on, therefore comparing this 2 plans will come down to how often you need to make calls & SMS.

    Celcom First One 5GB gives you 60 minutes free call and 60 free SMS but Maxis SurfMore 75 has no free call or SMS. So if you are on Maxis SurfMore 75 and need 60 minutes of call & 60 SMS a month, then there’s an extra RM15.60 (I take the mean price for call rate) on top of RM75, which means a total of RM90.60.

    In other words, if you occasionally need to make calls and SMS (especially to other networks) then Celcom First One 5GB will give you a peace of mind. If you don’t make call & SMS or make just a few in a month, then Maxis SurfMore 75 is a cheaper option.

  10. caleb choo - August 27th, 2014 at 11:07 am

    i am using redtone telco..very cheap..1gb for rm25 and call to other redtone user is free..

  11. victoria - August 27th, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    haha ya tat’s y celcom also offer 1 plan which i am using nw hehe
    less sms/call bt more on data and price reasonable :]

  12. stary - August 27th, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    thx for the summarised details :D maxis seem cheaper bt impossible tat i dun make call and sms in the whole mth haha so think celcom is mr suit me then..rm88 still cn afford, saw some plan even exceed rm100 omg!?!?

  13. Maoting Chan - June 3rd, 2015 at 9:55 am

    yes… I think redtone is cute

  14. johnliew - June 3rd, 2015 at 10:26 am

    The list should be updated la.. Celcom now can be cheaper than YELLOWMAN dy finally!! bcos Celcom now got cheaper plan already.. Celcom First Basic 38.. monthly commitment RM38 onlyy.. I just changed to this plan last month…

  15. MARYJANEWONG - June 3rd, 2015 at 10:38 am

    @johnliew:disqus so cheap??? What’s the plan like?? Bcos im using the ‘Greenmoon’ now also every month 80-90 plus commitment lehh.. and its only 1 Gb.. i load instagram for 3 weeks also can finish quota dy lor..

  16. johnliew - June 3rd, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    @maryjanewong:disqus hey! The First basic 38 is fantastic la for me i think.. not sure whether u’ll like it thou.. 3gb data quota and 3 gb wifi quota to be used in Celcom wifi hotpot area for only RM38 per month… this is tempting enough already for me hahahha.. u can load insta how much u want now

  17. marleyley - June 3rd, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Sure anot? i know the 3GB data quota la which make the plan good but my friends that use this plan nvr tell me about the extra 3Gb wifi wor. nvr see they use also. abit too generous right Celcom giving 6GB for 38bucks only.

  18. halleyleong9938 - June 3rd, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    I dont understand why u all making such big fuss over the Celcom wifi hotspot. usually all these hotspot are like those wifi in restaurant which the speed will be pretty slow when comes to alot ppl using it one la. so basically pretty useless la.

  19. johnliew - June 6th, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    @marleyley:disqus ya its definite! maybe yr friend dont know about it when he sub to this plan that time?? Celcom just meet customer’s demand these days la cos everyone also want alot alot data mahh. plus kl ppl all also go same place one pavi, midvalley all. so celcom make hotspot there for every celcom users to use lor..

  20. johnliew - June 6th, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    @halleyleong9938:disqus the hotspot is unlike those u get in normal restaurant la. those i think they just give the lowest speed one cos its to attract customer by telling them got wifi all. Celcom uses high speed connection for the hotspot and i’ve tried it myself at pavi that day streaming a 5mins video from youtube, no buffering at all hehehehehe

  21. adelemui90 - June 6th, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    Celcom plan indeed is good la. i just used fr like a month and there’s no hidden charges lehh. i only pay 40 bucks smth cos the additional is tax etc all. The data cannot use finish one hahahahah.. i think abit too much la 3Gb data plus 3Gb wifi.

  22. halleyleong9938 - June 7th, 2015 at 11:49 am

    @johnliew:disqus yes i understand tat celcom uses high speed connection but wifi is still sharing among the users rather than using lte connection or 3g. there will be a cap to ur connection speed for hotspot. try opening ur phone hotspot nw and share it among 4 friends, u can see what i mean already.

  23. adelemui90 - June 7th, 2015 at 11:53 am

    @halleyleong9938:disqus so thats why Celcom gave us 3 + 3 lor. 3GB on data and 3 GB on wifi. anyhow that 3gb is still more than any other telco at the price of 38 what. the benefit for the price u pay to Celcom is definitely worth it man. and speaking on speed, Celcom connection speed i believe is the fastest among all due to the stable connection coverage in malaysia.

  24. marleyley - June 8th, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    i see my place there alot my friends that use celcom complaining about their phone signal not as strong as it seems. Cos celcom always say their line also full bar but my friends not experiencing them at all. and the plan is a bit too cheap la, sure no hidden charges?

  25. Azizahhamzah - June 8th, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    @marleyley:disqus its normal for users to face such network condition. Not every place also full bar one mahh haha but as compared to other telco, Celcom has the widest coverage (not full bar but still can use in decent speed kind) plus if u compare with Maxis or Digi all, Celcom has the most stable line d lorrr.. Wont simply give u no line suddenly one.. haha

  26. halleyleong9938 - June 8th, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    @adelemui90:disqus towards what extend the speed of Celcom internet connection as compared to others??? Bcos i dont rmb my maxis being slower than my friend’s Celcom internet la. like also similar only what.. sometimes i feel mine even faster LOL.

  27. adelemui90 - June 8th, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    @halleyleong9938:disqus the upload speed of Celcom is 0.5Mbps and the rest is all lower than this. 0.4 for greenplanet, yellowman 0.3 etc.. hahaha now u tell me la who has faster internet.. hehe u can check the difference by uploading a HD pic to ur social media, definitely Celcom one can upload faster ~

  28. MARYJANEWONG - June 8th, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    just switched to Celcom First basic 38 plan d! been using for like 3 days d. the 3g speed is fast man. instagram loading circle also i dont think i’ve seen it dy hahaa. and best part i dont have to be saving on my data usage anymore.. 38 bucks so cheap even if over usage buy again also still cheaper than my previous telco plan la. but 6gb quite hard to finish la haha

  29. Azizahhamzah - June 8th, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    @maryjanewong:disqus wait till u on LTE, that’s even faster for Celcom as compared to other telco.. u can see alot ppl talking about their LTE being so fast at alot blogs all one.. Indeed its true la but better watch out for the batt consumption on ur phone la! later scroll fb until batt gone case haha…..

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